The Plight of Flying Mice

Every Autobot knew the scream of jet engines. They parted the sky, raining destruction from above. Entire battalions fell to them. Their leader—an impossibly large mech with two alt modes—stood against the atmosphere, plating stained energeon blue from the carnage. The name was whispered among civilians, then carried to the soldiers themselves: Energeon Seekers.

Over time, this shortened to just Seekers. They were created to protect Cybertron, with weapons and the long since lost power of flight to aid them. But when they ran out of enemies, they turned against their creators. None of them were left alive, and the blueprints were lost to time.

The battlefield, long gone silent, was scattered with corpses. Some were Seekers, but even more were Autobots. A mech stepped over one of the corpses, then paused. He knew this one. He turned on his datapad, marking the mech as dead.

He was here to search for survivors, but he could multitask. The probability of finding any was low, anyway. He did a quick calculation—two percent. One of the doors on his shoulder twitched as the wind picked up.

The Seekers were gone. He would've heard the scream if they returned. Still, he didn't want to take any chances. If he was dead, he couldn't get that promotion he was vying for. Lead tactician had a nice ring to it, and his strategies were superior to all others. They would see that soon.

He marked another mech dead with a sigh. Their population was dwindling with this endless war. If they couldn't take out the Seekers soon, there may be none of them left. Sixty percent and climbing. He didn't like those odds.

Corpse after corpse, mark after mark. He stepped over one of the few Seeker bodies that littered the field, then paused. It would be useful to see what exactly took this one out. He crouched, examining it.

One of its wings was mangled. The other had holes. But there was no damage to its spark chamber. He jostled it. There—a wound in its back, below the wings. That likely severed a main fuel line. Not something that could be done from a distance, but helpful nonetheless.

Sometimes, it was easy to forget these creatures could be felled just like any other mech. They had fuel lines and ventilation fans just like an Autobot. It was all the same systems, at the end of the cycle. Even shrieking monsters bled.

He stood, turning away from the corpse to continue noting the dead. A quiet peep stopped him in his tracks. He turned back toward the corpse. There it was again.

It was familiar. He searched his memory banks. Eighty percent likelihood it came from a sparkling. Another peep. Ninety.

Prowl crouched back down and listened. The noise was coming from the Seeker's cockpit. He reached over, prying open the tinted glass. As it lifted, the peeps got louder.

One hundred percent. A miniaturized seeker was splayed in the cockpit, optics scrunched shut as it vocalized with all its might, calling to a creator that would never answer. Its little claws were stubby, and its wings were much too large.

Prowl reached into the cockpit and scooped it up. It let out one final startled peep before quieting. It looked up at him, tiny orange optics fuzzy and unseeing. The lack of visual acuity proved its youth—the tiny thing was likely only a few cycles old. It was barely the size of his cupped hands.

If he left it here, it would die. This was a Seeker, Prowl reminded himself. It would grow up to be a merciless monster. But it was also a mech, a sparkling at that. A helpless little sparkling.

The likelihood it would turn against him if he raised it? Thirty percent.

The likelihood it would run away once it grew independent? Ten percent.

The likelihood raising it would yield a loyal, flight-capable Autobot soldier? Sixty percent.

The likelihood a loyal, flight-capable Autobot soldier could infiltrate the Seekers? Eighty percent.

Prowl liked those odds.

!!!

Thundercracker didn't realize he was different at first. His… Prowl—Prowl got angry when he called him his creator—had projections on his back just like he did, and they moved just like his, too! They twitched when he was angry, or when he noticed something. But Thundercracker's were large. They often got in the way.

He tucked them in as he passed through the doorway. Why were they always so narrow?

Prowl was at his desk, reading through a datapad. Thundercracker had asked to see them once. It was just some boring scrap about supplies.

"You told me we were gonna do something cool! You're just looking at boring datapads!" Thundercracker complained.

Prowl looked up. He turned off the datapad and placed it on his desk.

"We are," he said, standing up. "Follow me."

Prowl led him through the halls. Thundercracker was familiar with them, and realized their destination immediately: the main entrance. But why? He wasn't allowed outside!

Prowl opened the doors and stepped through. Thundercracker hesitated at the edge. Were they really going out? Prowl scowled and grabbed his hand, leading him over the edge. They were!

It was so bright. A light wind blew, rolling over Thundercracker's wings. The trees danced in the wind.

"Do you remember when we talked about cybirds?" Prowl asked.

"Yeah," Thundercracker said.

What did that have to do with anything? Thundercracker dug his pedes into the dirt. It felt funny against his pedes, almost ticklish.

"You're going to fly."

Thundercracker stiffened, wings shooting upward. He turned back toward Prowl. His creat—the mech rarely joked. He didn't seem like he was joking now.

"How?" Thundercracker asked.

"I don't know," Prowl said. "You can figure it out."

Where was he supposed to start? Thundercracker didn't know the first thing about it! But Prowl said he could, so clearly he could. Thundercracker puffed up his plating to make himself seem larger.

"Of course!" He said. "I'll be flying before you know it! And it'll be the best flying you've ever seen!"

His first attempt resulted in something activating on the back of his legs, sending him facefirst into the ground. Prowl called them thrusters. His second attempt, he hovered. His third…

Something clicked. His plating shifted, and suddenly, he was something else. He just transformed! He hadn't done that before! He activated his thrusters, and it worked! He was flying!

A bunch of numbers and diagrams popped up in his vision. He didn't bother reading them all. They must've been boring flying stuff. Numbers were always boring.

How fast could he go? He turned up the power and made a few turns. The air rushed over his plating. He laughed, exhilaration lightening his spark.

"Thundercracker!"

This was amazing! He bet no other Autobot could fly! That meant he was super cool! He'd show them all, and they'd tell him how awesome he was!

"Thundercracker!"

Yeah! They would think he was so—

Pain seared his side. He spun, the diagrams and numbers turning red. Something slammed into him, and he let out a squeak. He fell, panic enrobing his spark as he unraveled from his alt mode—just in time to hit the ground.

He curled in on himself, his spark thudding against his chestplates. His wing hurt. His leg hurt. His helm hurt. Everything hurt. He sniffled.

"Thundercracker," Prowl said gently.

Thundercracker looked up.

"I tried to warn you," Prowl said. "You clipped your wing on a branch."

Thundercracker buried his helm in his knees. Why didn't he see that branch? He should've seen it!

"Come on," Prowl said, offering a hand.

Thundercracker forced himself to uncurl. He took the hand, allowing himself to be pulled up. He clung to it.

"Let's go to the medbay," Prowl said.

!!!

He got better at flying after that. Prowl let him go out for flights, but only short ones. His wings got sore if he didn't fly, and he got snappy. After the third time in a decacycle he'd snapped at another mech, Prowl had acquiesced, allowing him a flight once a decacycle.

He already had his flight when it started. His claws were itchy. At first, he tried picking at them. There was a thin covering on them that seemed almost dead. He couldn't quite tear it off.

It was all he could think about. Recharging? Itchy claws. Refueling? Itchy claws. Playing video games with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe? Itchy claws.

He couldn't stand it! There had to be some way to fix it. Frustration bubbled up in his spark. He turned, raking his claws down the wall. To his surprise, the covering gave way. He kept scratching.

It was… relaxing. Tension he didn't know he had seeped out of him.

"Hey!"

Scrap! Thundercracker fled down the hallway. He used his thrusters to boost himself, but he was big enough now that he couldn't shift into his alt mode in the hallway anymore.

He turned a couple of corners, but his pursuer was still behind him. Slaggit, why Arcee of all mecha? She was fast!

"Catch him!"

Oh, no, no, no! Thundercracker pushed power to his thrusters, trying to turn away from the massive mech ahead. But his pedes slipped. Bulkhead caught him, gently wrapping his arms around him to keep him from escaping.

He was carried to Prowl's office, where he was carefully deposited as Arcee explained the situation. They left him with his crea—Prowl, who glared at him in what Thundercracker had quickly learned was disapproval. Thundercracker sank in on himself, his plating snapping tight and his wings falling low.

"The walls of the base are very important, Thundercracker," Prowl said.

"I know," Thundercracker said.

"I taught you better than to destroy property."

Thundercracker cringed. "You did. But—"

"But what?" Prowl said.

Thundercracker clacked his claws together. There was no excuse, was there?

"I'm sorry," he said.

If he sharpened his claws on a few cliff faces during his flights, no one had to know. He would just deal with the itchy claws until then. It was better than getting in trouble.

!!!

Thundercracker couldn't sleep. It wasn't new. His spark just… hurt when he had to sleep alone. He tried explaining it to Prowl, but he didn't get it.

"You're too old to not be sleeping alone," Prowl said.

So, Thundercracker was in his room. It was cold. He didn't remember it being that cold in the morning. He got out of the berth, stepping carefully to minimize noise as he crept into the hallway. He made his way to the nearest storage closet.

There had to be something warm here. He scoured the shelves. Nothing but old paint. Then, a flash of light caught his optics. A set of metal sheets rested in the corner of the room. Something clicked in the back of his processor.

He gathered up the metal sheets and carried them back to his berth. Then, using his claws and dentae, he tore the sheets into strips. The back of his processor whispered to him—bend them that way, no this way—until he was forming some sort of structure.

He admired his handiwork. The metal was woven together, forming a wall. He dragged the sheets from his berth and laid them inside. Then, he curled up.

His spark still sent quiet pangs of pain to him. Something was missing. But at least he wasn't cold anymore. He shifted, burying himself deeper into his little craft.

"Thundercracker!"

Light streamed through the window as Thundercracker's optics snapped open, Prowl's furious voice reaching his audials. Thundercracker pushed himself upward, wings lowering as he met Prowl's optics. Irritation rolled off the mech in waves.

Prowl motioned to Thundercracker's late night craft. "What is this?"

"I dunno?" Thundercracker said.

He really didn't. It was just something to keep himself warm that his processor knew how to make.

"I told you not to destroy property!"

Thundercracker shrank in on himself. "I was cold—"

"That's not an excuse!"

The little structure was dismantled. Thundercracker resigned himself to cold nights. Prowl offered him extra bedding, but it wasn't the same.

!!!

There was something in the walls. It skittered, making tiny scratching noises. Thundercracker stiffened, pausing mid sip of his morning fuel. He placed his cube on the table.

"Thunder?"

Thundercracker put a claw to his lips. Sideswipe furrowed his brow. Slowly, Thundercracker extracted himself from the table. Where was it?

There! There it was again! Thundercracker followed it along the wall.

"Hey, Thunder?"

The skittering stopped. Thundercracker shook himself, frustration welling beneath his plating. He almost had it! He had no idea what it was, but he almost had it! He let out an angry hiss, his plating rattling.

"Woah."

He turned back toward Sideswipe. Putting up his hands, Sideswipe shrugged.

"Looked kinda like a cybercat, there," he said. "Stalking around like that. Hissed like one, too."

Thundercracker shook his helm, settling back at the table. He picked his cube up again, taking a sip.

"I almost had it," he grumbled.

Luckily, it wasn't the last time he heard the sound. As he was about to sleep, it was there again. He leaped up immediately. This time, with no other mecha to impede him, he tracked it across the halls.

It took turns, but it was easy to follow. Thundercracker knew the halls like the backs of his wings. When the hall ahead had a crack in the corner of it, he knew it was time to strike.

He settled a short distance away from the hole, body tense like a coiled spring. A flash of metal emerged from the hole. Thundercracker launched himself at it, claws ready to tear. He sank his teeth into the creature, biting and clawing until it stopped moving.

Then, he broke open one of its energeon lines, sipping on the liquid. It was sweeter than the energeon he normally got from the dispenser. There was more depth to it. He licked his lips, savoring the taste.

What was he supposed to do with the rest of it? After a moment, it came to him. He picked up the creature and carried it through the halls. He punched in Prowl's code, then set the creature on the floor.

Gently, he tapped Prowl on the shoulder. Prowl's face scrunched before he opened his optics.

"What is it?" He said.

Thundercracker crouched on the floor next to his prey. Prowl rolled over and sat up, staring down at it. Thundercracker puffed out his plating with a smile.

"I caught it," he said.

Prowl scowled.

"That's a scraplet," he said. "Get it out of my quarters. It's leaking on the floor."

Thundercracker's spark sank.

"I caught it all by myself," he said. "Isn't that impressive?"

"Get it out!" Prowl said.

Thundercracker picked up the scraplet and fled. He brought it to his own room, still not quite sure what to do with it. The next time he heard skittering, he forced himself not to follow it.

!!!

Thundercracker woke in agony. He rolled over in the berth, squirming, as he searched for the source. Eventually, his claws landed on his chest. He curled in on himself, pressing his palms into his chest.

His spark always hurt a little bit, but never this much. He silenced a whine, forcing himself to get up. The pain wasn't impacted by his movement, so at least he had that going for him. He exited his room, forcing himself to stand up straight.

He was going to meet Sunstreaker and Sideswipe for morning fuel, then take a flight. After that, Bulkhead promised to show him some moves. He was almost as large as Bulkhead—and still growing—so he was looking forward to learning from a mech closer to his size. Some spark pain wasn't gonna keep him from that!

He made his way to the mess hall, nodding at the mecha who greeted him as he passed by. He had to keep it cool. Natural. If anyone noticed he was hurting, they'd drag him to the medbay and he wouldn't be able to do what he wanted. There was a mission coming up to retake some lost ground, and all three of the mecha he was hanging out with that cycle were going to be on it. This could be the last time he saw them for decacycles.

"Hey, Thunder!" Sideswipe called as Thundercracker shimmied through the door.

The doors hung low, now. Thundercracker had to duck to make it in. His frame was finally thickening out to match his height, and it was growing steadily difficult to fit through the small, narrow doorways. He had to turn himself to the side a bit to keep his wings from scraping the sides, even when he kept them tucked in.

He waved to Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. They waved back. Sideswipe motioned to a cube beside him. Thundercracker took his seat.

"Saved you a spot!" Sideswipe said with a grin.

Thundercracker grinned back. There was never a spot to save—the mess hall was almost always empty. There weren't that many mecha in the base. Still, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker protected the empty seat beside them as if they were, and it had become a sort of game for the three.

"I'm sure you had to fight real hard to keep it," Thundercracker said, popping open his cube.

Sunstreaker paused between sips. "So hard. You don't even know how many mecha wanted to sit there."

Thundercracker laughed.

"Well," he said. "Thanks for saving it."

The distraction was momentary. As soon as the conversation drifted, Thundercracker was reminded of the agony in his spark. He gripped the sides of his cube and forced himself to sit up straight as he took a sip. The conversation continued without him as he drifted in and out, doing his best not to look like he was in pain.

"—I hope we see that little magenta one again," Sunstreaker said. "I want revenge."

"The one that scratched your badge off?" Sideswipe said.

Sunstreaker swung his cube, nearly spilling it. "Yeah! That one! Ratchet had to get me another decal."

Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were the Autobots' primary in-air defense, despite their lack of flight-capable alt modes. They learned to fly with jetpacks, using them to attack the Seekers from above. Thundercracker was the only flight-capable Autobot in the base, potentially in the entire faction, something he caught onto quickly.

"When they finally let me join you guys, I'll take those Seekers out before they have the chance to do that again!" Thundercracker said.

It was true. Spark pain or not, he'd been training for battle since he was barely half of Prowl's height. Now, he was nearly a full helm taller than him. Any cycle now, they'd have to give him the brand and let him fight.

Sideswipe and Sunstreaker exchanged glances. They weren't sad, or upset, or even happy. Thundercracker could feel that much. But he didn't know exactly what they were feeling. It was sharp-edged, almost tingly. Anticipation, maybe?

"Yeah!" Sideswipe said, his smile falling just slightly. "We know you will."

Everyone always got like that when he said something about joining the fight. Maybe it was because he was the youngest mech on the base? That was probably it. Prowl already told him he couldn't take his badge until he was at least sixteen vorns. Everyone else in the base had long taken theirs before he showed up.

But they didn't have to feel bad about him joining! He was smart. He wasn't going to get himself killed out there. And he was the only one of them that could fly, so he'd be able to take the fight right to the Seekers! Surely, they saw that!

Slowly, the conversation returned. There wasn't much to talk about beyond the war, but somehow, they managed. Eventually, they all finished their fuel. Thundercracker bade his friends farewell and headed into the halls.

First, he checked the training room. Bulkhead wasn't there yet. He'd have to find him. Thundercracker moved through the halls, wings tucked close to his body. They were starting to pinch again—he was due for a flight soon.

Eventually, he found him. Bulkhead was in one of the spare rooms, crouching over an easel. He squinted at the canvas below him, carefully running a pigment-covered brush down it. Thundercracker waited until he took the brush away from the canvas to speak.

"Hey!" He said.

Bulkhead startled, nearly dropping the brush. He turned toward the doorway, quickly shifting from a frown to a smile as his optics met Thundercracker's. Warmth radiated from him.

"Oh!" Bulkhead said. "Hello, Thundercracker."

Thundercracker shimmied awkwardly through the door, ducking his helm as he entered.

"You promised we could train before you guys left!" Thundercracker said.

Bulkhead glanced between his half-finished painting and Thundercracker, then swirled his brush in a cup of water before gently placing it on the table.

"I did," Bulkhead said. "Let's go."

Training was fun. Thundercracker nearly forgot about his spark pain in the midst of it. As a larger mech, Bulkhead had a lot of techniques the other mecha on the base didn't. Most of them were small and lithe, making up for a lack of physical strength and size with complicated weapons and swift movements.

Bulkhead's wrecking ball could've killed one of them, if he weren't so skilled with it. Thundercracker could catch it with his bare hands, no damage sustained. His plating was thick and sturdy, and his frame was large enough to take the hit.

Thundercracker never wondered why there was such a discrepancy. After all, Bulkhead was big, too. Thundercracker just happened to be the strongest bot on base. That was why he was so awesome, and why they needed to clear him for missions.

"Good work!" Bulkhead said, reaching up to pat him on the helm. "You've improved a lot."

Thundercracker muffled a purr. He fluffed up his plating, sticking out his chest. Bulkhead smiled.

"Thank you for noticing!" Thundercracker said.

When the others went on missions, he had plenty of time alone. Playing video games by himself could only be fun for so long, so he filled the time with training.

"Do you think they'll give me my badge soon?" He asked.

Bulkhead's smile fell. The air around him faltered.

"You'll have to ask Prowl," he said.

Thundercracker flicked his wings. "I already asked him! He said I have to wait until I'm sixteen vorns!"

Bulkhead shrugged. "Then you'll have to wait. Prowl will know when you're ready."

"But that's so long," Thundercracker muttered.

It wasn't, but it felt like it was. Every time they went on missions without him, he had to wonder whether they'd be okay. Not all of them returned. It was war, mecha were going to die—Thundercracker knew that. But sometimes he wondered if he could've saved them if he were there.

The cycle passed. It was time for them to go. Thundercracker said his goodbyes, wishing them luck. Prowl was coming with them this time. He wasn't an affectionate mech, but he still pulled Thundercracker in for a hug before he left.

"Guard the base for us," he told him.

So Thundercracker planned to do just that. It was quiet without the pedesteps of other mecha throughout the halls. Only the newest of recruits and a couple of experienced soldiers stayed behind. The location of their base still wasn't known to the Seekers, so there wasn't much risk of them being attacked.

Still, Thundercracker was the strongest mech left. So, he patrolled the halls, and took short flights around the perimeter every cycle. But every morning, it grew more difficult to climb out of his berth. The spark pain was getting worse.

One morning, he laid in the berth, curled in on himself. It hurt. He let out a quiet whine that crescendoed into a call. He didn't know what or who he was calling for, just that he needed to.

He laid there, motionless and crying out, until his fuel gauge ticked down. A warning popped up, but he couldn't do what it asked. There was no way he could get up now.

The door to his room clicked, then opened. The mech in the doorway wasn't one he recognized—yellow plating and doors sticking out from his back—so he must've been one of the new recruits.

"Hey," the mech said. "We noticed we hadn't seen you around, so—"

His optics finally landed on Thundercracker. They widened. The doors on his back shot up.

"Oh," he said.

!!!

"You can't keep him forever."

Prowl paused stroking Thundercracker's wing. The Seeker stirred, letting out a quiet chirp. Despite the reaction, he was completely unconscious, knocked out by a combination of painkillers and sedatives.

Ratchet stood before a screen, various readouts from scanners running across it. His arms were folded in front of him, a stern set to his brow.

"I know," Prowl said.

That was why he took him in, after all. Thundercracker, when he was ready, would infiltrate the Seekers and take them down from the inside. The issue was that he wasn't. Prowl looked down at him and all he saw was that tiny seekerling, crying out with all its pitiful might.

And this, whatever it was? It just set the timeline back even further.

"Will he be alright?" Prowl asked.

Ratchet grunted. "He's fine, physically. There's a new organ growing near his engine, but that shouldn't be enough to cause any pain—"

"A new organ?" Prowl asked.

Ratchet rolled his optics.

"Yes," he said. "A new organ. Congratulations, Prowl, your Seeker is an outlier."

Outliers were rarer among Autobots than among Seekers. That was why the Autobots carried such powerful weapons—they needed to even the playing field. Prowl understood the possibility of Thundercracker developing a special ability, but he assumed it would have happened already.

There weren't exactly any detailed development timelines for Seekers. Thundercracker was already much larger than Prowl had expected for his age. When he hit thirteen vorns, the seekerling had shot up in height, ravenously hungry for fuel.

"Do you know what it is?" Prowl asked.

Ratchet shook his helm. "No. It's not developed enough yet. But as I said, it shouldn't be causing him any pain. Everything is functional and within normal limits."

Prowl stroked Thundercracker's wing again. The sleeping mech let out a quiet trill. Even in sleep, he leaned into the touch.

"What's the issue, then?" Prowl said.

Ratchet hummed, glancing at the screen again. He scrutinized it for a moment. Then, he turned back toward Prowl.

"I think this is psychosomatic," he said. "I'm not certain on the cause, but… have you ever seen a Seeker alone?"

Prowl had, but only once. It was a mess—rusted plating, rattling vents, and consistently hunched over as if in pain. Prowl rarely regretted killing an enemy, but that was the first time it seemed like a mercy. Rather than bring up the memory again, Prowl shook his helm.

"Exactly," Ratchet said. "We don't know if they can even survive alone. Thundercracker is in a very unnatural position right now. His frame could be trying to search for company he doesn't have."

Prowl sighed. "Nothing can be done about that."

Ratchet's gaze sharpened.

"Something can," he said.

Thundercracker began to purr beneath Prowl's touch.

"He's not ready," Prowl said.

"Him or you?" Ratchet said, taking a step closer. "You told him sixteen vorns—"

"They'd kill him, Ratchet!" Prowl hissed.

His… project was naive. He was nothing like the other Seekers, who pulled limbs from mecha for fun and flew to the edges of the atmosphere just to drop soldiers from the sky. They would know immediately that something was wrong with Thundercracker.

Prowl knew what they did to weak Seekers. He'd witnessed it himself, after a particularly grueling battle.

At first, he thought they were after him, but they passed him over. Prowl waited in a ditch, knee joint too damaged to move or transform, as he waited to call for extraction. The Seekers stopped before another that laid on the ground, one wing missing and the other mangled beyond recognition.

One knelt, resting its claws on the downed one's chest. It chirped at them. The kneeling one's gaze hardened. It plunged its claws into the other's chest.

Energeon flooded the ground. The downed Seeker's optics went dark.

Prowl could see it now—Thundercracker in that position, another Seeker slaying him mercilessly. He was too kind and inexperienced. The moment something went wrong, they would terminate him.

"This may just kill him, too," Ratchet said. "At least with his own kind, he might have a chance."

Prowl closed his optics. Ratchet was right. He always was. Hadn't Prowl taken him to send him back in the first place? Thundercracker would need to accomplish his purpose eventually.

"Twenty vorns," Prowl said. "After his extra locks grow in."

All mecha past eighteen vorns grew an extra set of locks on their storage spaces. These locks only engaged when a mech both went through and sated Data Hunger, preventing the opening of their storage space. It marked them capable of creating new life, and thus, as fully physically mature mecha.

Ratchet's pursed his lips, as if he wanted to protest. Apprehension clung to the air as his plating tensed and untensed.

"Twenty vorns," he said. "I'll hold you to it."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Prowl said.

Thundercracker stirred slightly, his purrs pausing as he shifted position. One of his wings flicked lazily. His optics opened a crack, squinting in the light.

"Prowl?" He said, voice quiet and weak.

Prowl moved away from his wing, reaching over to pet along Thundercracker's olfactory ridge. Thundercracker sighed quietly, closing his optics.

"How are you feeling?" Prowl asked.

"I dunno," Thundercracker said. "Can't really feel anything right now."

Ratchet chuckled, a smile slipping onto his face. "That would be the painkillers."

Thundercracker responded with a sleepy trill, his helm sinking onto his arms. After a few moments, the air around him leveled out, signaling that he had reentered recharge. Prowl checked his chronometer. He had a meeting soon.

He dug around in his storage compartment and pulled out a box. He showed it to Ratchet before placing it on a table near the berth.

"Energeon candies," Ratchet said. "How long have you been saving those?"

"Since before Bumblebee joined us," Prowl said. "So, not too long. They were going to be for his Finding Cycle, but I think he needs them more now. Can you tell him they're there when he wakes up?"

Ratchet smiled at him. "I will. But you could do it yourself."

Prowl shook his helm. He made his way toward the door.

"I have a meeting," he said.

"You always do," Ratchet said.

Prowl left the medbay.

Thundercracker fought not to twitch his wings as Prowl picked at a particularly deep seam. It didn't hurt—far from it—but the sensation made it hard to keep still. Solvent ran over both of them, washing away the dirt that Prowl picked out.

"Are you done yet?" Thundercracker asked, calmly—he definitely wasn't whining.

"Nowhere close," Prowl said, moving on to another seam. "You only fly once a decacycle. How do you get so dirty?"

As Prowl dug deeper into the seam, Thundercracker couldn't resist it. His wing twitched.

"Keep your wings still!" Prowl said.

"Sorry," Thundercracker said.

Prowl was supposed to go out on the next mission. Thundercracker had asked to spend time with him, and he'd obliged. This wasn't what Thundercracker had really meant when he asked, but any time with him was important. Thundercracker never knew if he would come back.

Except…

"I'm twenty vorns now," Thundercracker said. "You told me I could finally take the badge when I reached twenty."

Prowl paused. "Not twenty yet. You haven't had your Finding Cycle anniversary."

"You're so specific," Thundercracker grumbled. "It's only a few cycles away."

Prowl moved on to the other wing. "And so is the time when you get spark pains. I don't want you taking the brand so close to it. Do you have your medicine?"

Thundercracker tapped the glass of his cockpit, where both the pain patches Ratchet gave him and the energeon candies Prowl gave him rested. Ever since the first time, Prowl always gave him candies to eat during the decacycle and a half he usually spent in too much pain to move. Thundercracker didn't dislike the taste, but he started to associate them with the haziness that the extra strong pain patches brought on.

"I picked it up earlier," he said.

"Good," Prowl said.

He pulled away and turned off the solvent, finally done with cleaning. He tossed Thundercracker a towel and took one for himself. The two slowly dried themselves off. The moment they were both dry, Prowl was at Thundercracker's side again, reaching up under his chin.

Thundercracker leaned down, resting his chin on Prowl's hand. Prowl smiled.

"Guard the base for me while we're gone," he said.

He always said that. The first time, Thundercracker took it seriously. Now, he knew it was meant to distract him.

"I will," Thundercracker lied, having no intention of staying at the base.

!!!

The mission group had left a while ago. Thundercracker walked through the halls, heading toward the exit. The mecha on duty at the controls waved to him. He waved back.

"Mind opening the doors?" He asked. "I want to go for a flight."

One of the mecha nodded, pressing a button on the control panel. The door slid up, clanging as it folded. Thundercracker shot the mecha a smile before leaving. The door shut behind him.

He waited until this time knowing that the shifts had just changed. The mecha at the door now didn't know he'd already had his flight that decacycle, and wouldn't realize until they exchanged shifts with the other set. Thundercracker would be long gone.

With a leap, Thundercracker took off. He flew in root mode for a while before transforming, enjoying the air beneath his wings. Although he rarely traveled anywhere, he had a general sense of where the others went. Maps were easy to read as long as they were well made, and Prowl had plenty of them in his office.

After that, it was a matter of watching and listening for chaos. Thundercracker had to stop a few times, chugging one of the cubes he stuffed into his cockpit before taking a quick nap, but only because the others had traveled so far. With the power of flight, he could catch up to them with ease.

And, eventually, he did. He heard the battle before he saw it—a combination of the screech of metal, the cacophony of weaponfire, the scream of objects in flight, and the howls of injured and angered mecha. He approached carefully, knowing that the moment he was seen, it was over. But he could take shots from the sidelines. That was what the big ray guns on his shoulders were for.

So, Thundercracker curled up on the edge of a nearby cliff and charged his guns. He prepared himself to shoot, but froze as he scanned the battlefield. He knew Seekers could fly. That was one of the many things he was told about them.

They had sharp dentae and even sharper claws. They had wings that stretched to the sky. Their optics, able to focus across impossible distances, gleamed with malice. Their alt modes soared through the sky, bulky yet somehow swifter than any land mode.

One flew by. It matched all of the descriptions he heard. Large, bulky, and fast. A yellow and red blur launched itself at the Seeker. Sunstreaker clung onto its back, jetpack exuding smoke from recent use. The Seeker unfolded into its root mode with an shrieking cry.

Thundercracker's spark seized. It looked just like him—the same dentae, the same claws, the same wings, same rays.

Sunstreaker yelled as the Seeker stabbed its claws into him and threw him off. Shaking away the unwanted realization, Thundercracker leaped off the cliff. He dove toward Sunstreaker, catching the mech just before he could hit the ground. Gently, Thundercracker lowered him to the ground.

Sunstreaker's optics dimmed. Energeon coated his chestplates, leaking from both fresh and old wounds. With the speed it was leaking, the Seeker must've gotten a major fuel line. Desperately, Thundercracker searched his memory banks for his field training. What was he supposed to do?

The air whipped around him as the Seeker landed. It was small—at least, smaller than Thundercracker. Its plating was magenta and pale gray. It stared down at him with scarlet optics. Then, it spoke.

It wasn't Common. It wasn't even words. It didn't even open its mouth to talk. The Seeker gestured emphatically, wings twitching and flicking, as it whistled, clicked, and chattered. The noise was almost songlike.

Thundercracker curled himself over Sunstreaker, fanning out his wings as he rattled them. He puffed his plating out and bared his dentae. The Seeker paused, staring.

"Go away!" Thundercracker hissed.

The Seeker whistled again, face scrunching. It was quiet, almost as if speaking to itself. The air prickled with irritation. It looked at him again, finally opening its mouth.

"No sigil," it said. "Who are you?"

It could talk?

"Go away!" Thundercracker said again.

The Seeker took a step closer.

"Who are you?" It demanded.

Thundercracker growled deep from his engine. The Seeker was undeterred, continuing its approach. Then, the growl changed. Something inside of Thundercracker sparked to life. His audials cut out as his surroundings vibrated.

The Seeker hopped backward. Thundercracker summoned whatever that was again, shaking the ground. The Seeker retreated further with a hiss, the air around it prickling with frustration. It whistled something to itself and then leaped, ascending to the sky.

Thundercracker turned back toward Sunstreaker. With the Seeker gone, he was left with the same problem as before: what was he supposed to do?

!!!

Thundercracker clacked his claws together as he waited outside of the medbay. Ratchet said Sunstreaker would be alright, but would he really? He lost so much energeon. Thundercracker closed his optics, shuddering as the phantom sensation of warm energeon on his hands washed over him. He needed to think of something else.

His processor drifted toward the Seekers. They looked just like him. Was he one of them? Was that why everyone was so anxious when he talked about joining the fight? Was that why they wanted him to stay at the base?

If he was a Seeker, how could they stand to see him? When they came back from a mission, did they ever look at him and think of the monsters they'd just fought? How did he end up here if all of the other Seekers were their enemies? No one had ever mentioned an Autobot Seeker… except for him.

The medbay door opened. Thundercracker startled, narrowly avoiding hitting his helm on the ceiling. Ratchet stared for a moment as Thundercracker calmed himself.

"Sunstreaker is stable and awake. You can see him now," Ratchet said.

Thundercracker squeezed through the doorway, following Ratchet. The medic led him to one of the many curtain-protected berths in the room. Careful not to get his wings caught or hit the frame with his helm, Thundercracker stepped through the curtain.

Sideswipe sat on a seat next to the berth. On the berth laid Sunstreaker, cushioning placed under his upper half to prop him up. He waved at Thundercracker, a small smile on his face. Despite the amount of energeon he lost, the patches on his chest were quite small.

"Hey," Sunstreaker said.

"Hi," Thundercracker replied.

He stared, dumbly, at Sunstreaker. He was alive. Thundercracker had kept him that way. If he hadn't been there, would that Seeker have—?

The curtain rustled. Thundercracker fought to keep his wings still as they tried to shoot up in alert.

"Thundercracker!" A very familiar voice said.

"Hey, Prowl!" Sunstreaker said.

Prowl glanced at him. "Hello."

He turned back toward Thundercracker. Irritation rolled from him as his doors twitched.

"Thundercracker!" He said again.

Thundercracker's wings lowered. He knew that tone. But if he hadn't been there…

"Yeah?" He said.

"I told you to stay at the base!" Prowl said.

Thundercracker forced himself to stand taller. He knew this was coming.

"And where would Sunstreaker be if I did?" He said.

Prowl glared at him. "Sunstreaker knows the risks."

Thundercracker's wings twitched. Sure, he knew the risks, but so did Thundercracker! Why keep him from coming along? Why be angry at him for saving Sunstreaker's life? The answer came to him quickly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Thundercracker said.

Prowl froze, the doors on his shoulders rising. He flinched.

"Tell you what, exactly?" He said.

"That I'm a Seeker!" Thundercracker said. "That you never planned to let me take the badge because of it!"

Prowl closed his optics. His doorwings fell.

"Thundercracker," he said. "It wasn't my intention to—"

"There's a reason."

Both mecha froze as Ratchet poked his helm through the curtain. He entered with a scowl on his face.

"You're a Seeker, yes," Ratchet said. "And you belong among them. The plan was always to send you back to them."

Send him back? Thundercracker's wings twitched. The Seekers were their enemies! How could they do that?

Prowl turned toward Ratchet, baring his dentae with a hiss, "Ratchet—!"

"You are the only mech among us who has a chance at joining the Seekers," Ratchet said, optics meeting Thundercracker's. "The only one of us who can take them down from the inside. This war will destroy us. You saw it yourself. If you want to save lives, that's the way to do it."

It made sense. Only a Seeker could join the Seekers. They kept him away because they didn't want to ruin his chances of infiltration.

"Ratchet!" Prowl hissed again.

Ratchet put a hand on his shoulder.

"Twenty vorns," Ratchet said. "I told you I'd hold you to it."

"He's not ready—!"

This was the plan from the start, wasn't it? Was that why Prowl took him in? It should've been upsetting. He should've felt cheated or lied to. Instead, Thundercracker puffed up his plating. Finally, he had an explanation for everything, and he was even more important than he realized.

"I'll do it!" He said. "Send me out!"

Prowl froze, mouth hanging open. Ratchet snorted.

"Seems ready to me," he said.

!!!

Thundercracker coasted on the air, keeping careful track of his location. The Autobots didn't know where the Seeker base was, but they knew the general areas the Seekers patrolled. In order to join them, he had to wait somewhere he would be noticed. Finally, the coordinates matched.

Thundercracker slowed down, landing carefully. It was always the hardest part of flying. Most times, he landed too quickly. This time, he overcompensated, nearly missing his target.

Luckily, he was in the middle of an empty field, so there wasn't anything to run into except the ground. He unfurled into his root mode in midair, using his thrusters cushion his fall. They burned the ground, leaving dark marks. He definitely meant to do that. It was all very intentional.

He didn't know what he was supposed to do next. So, Thundercracker plopped down onto the ground, crossing his legs. He picked at the grass, sensors on alert. Eventually, they would come.

He was contemplating a nap when engines screamed overhead. He turned his helm upward, trying to catch a glimpse. A streak of magenta crossed the sky, steadily growing closer. It unfolded into the same Seeker he met on the battlefield.

The Seeker stood tall, puffing out its plating and flaring its wings. It stared down at him with narrowed optics. Then, it bared its dentae. Its claws flexed.

Something in the back of Thundercracker's processor whispered to yield. He didn't want to fight here anyway. That would ruin his mission. So, he lowered his wings, remaining on the ground to make himself seem smaller.

The Seeker stepped closer, leaning down. It shoved its face in his, letting out a low growl. Thundercracker closed his optics.

The Seeker's presence receded. Thundercracker opened his optics again. The Seeker's plating flexed as if it itched. It continued to stare at him, wings no longer wide set and plating no longer puffed out. But its claws still flexed, and its dentae were still visible.

"Who are you?" It said.

"Thundercracker," Thundercracker said.

The Seeker let out a whistle with clicks interspersed. It repeated the sound to itself a couple of times. Was it… saying his name in whatever language it spoke? How much Common did it actually know?

"Why are you here?" The Seeker said.

"To join you," Thundercracker replied.

He kept his sentences short. If he was misunderstood, the Seeker might fly off, or worse: attack him. That wouldn't end well.

"Join?" The Seeker said, flicking its wings. "Where are you from?"

"Nowhere," Thundercracker said, flinching as the Seeker bristled. That was clearly the wrong answer. He tried again. "I'm here alone."

The Seeker whistled something. It tapped its pede a couple times, creating loud thumps as it did so.

"Flockless," it said, as if translating. "Yes?"

Flock… like a group of cybirds. That must be what they called themselves in Common. In that sense, the Autobots were Thundercracker's flock, but saying that would probably anger the Seeker.

Thundercracker nodded. "Yes. I'm flockless."

The Seeker tapped its pede again. It walked in a circle, the air around it buzzing. Then, it turned back toward him. It waved its hand.

"Come," it said.

Thundercracker took a step toward it. The moment he did, it took off. He took off after it, following it. They flew for a while, until two mountain peaks appeared ahead.

The Seeker began to slow down, decreasing its altitude. Thundercracker did the same. They landed in the valley. A long dip stretched through the center of it, as if a mighty river had once flowed there.

Noise reached Thundercracker's audials—chirps, whistles, and chitters. There were more Seekers here. He searched his surroundings. At the bases of what became mountains were sets of holes, clawmarks on the edges of them. Inside of many of them, multiple sets of optics shone.

The Seeker motioned for him to follow. It walked past the burrows with no reservations. As Thundercracker passed, some of the Seekers hissed at him. He flinched, drawing closer to the magenta Seeker. The Seeker glanced at him, but didn't comment.

As they ascended, another burrow appeared. It was much larger than the rest.

"We are seeing the Winglord," the magenta Seeker said. "Respect him."

Thundercracker hadn't heard the word 'Winglord' before, but he could guess what it meant. Whoever this was, they were the leader of this flock.

They stopped at the edge of the burrow. Three pairs of optics stared back at them. A low growl came from within. The magenta Seeker knelt. Thundercracker copied him.

One of the pairs of optics approached. Its pedes crunched the soil loudly. The others followed behind it. The growling ceased.

Finally, the Seeker stepped into the light. It had no wings, but there was still evidence of an alt mode designed for flight, from the lack of tires to the fans in its pedes. It must have transformed into a hovercraft. Yet, it also bore a large cannon on its arm and treads on its legs—signs of a tank alt mode. Was it somehow both?

It was massive, towering over both the magenta Seeker and Thundercracker. Its shoulders came to sharp points. Its claws were even sharper. They could probably slice straight through plating if it wanted.

The two others joined it, also bearing signs of multiple alt modes. One was tan with a dark faceplate, a large grin splitting its face. It bore a cannon on its back along with wings. The other had both tires and a cockpit. Its plating was deep blue, and its optics gleamed purple.

The Winglord glared down at the magenta Seeker, speaking in the same clicks and whistles as it. The magenta Seeker replied. They spoke back and forth for a few moments, sending him glances every once in a while. Thundercracker's spark turned faster in its casing.

What were they discussing? What if they decided not to let him join?

Eventually, the Winglord barked sharply. The magenta Seeker closed its optics and lowered its helm, but the air around it was sharp with anger. Why was it upset?

"You wish to join us?" The Winglord said.

Another Seeker that spoke Common? How many of them knew it?

Thundercracker kept his gaze low, continuing to mimic the magenta Seeker. "Yes. I do."

"Then you may join," the Winglord said.

That was it? It was that easy? Thundercracker made the mistake of looking up. The Winglord bared its dentae at him. It raised its claws to strike. Immediately, Thundercracker closed his optics and lowered his helm.

The Winglord grunted.

"Go," he said.

Thundercracker didn't need to be told twice. He backed away, waiting until the Winglord returned to its burrow before heading down the hill. The magenta Seeker rolled its optics before taking off, leaving him alone. What was he supposed to do now?

He had a limited set of items in his storage space—a couple of energeon cubes, the candies Prowl gave him, and the pain patches Ratchet gave him. There was nothing to entertain himself with, and he certainly wasn't going to start approaching random burrows. With how the other Seekers were hissing earlier, it would surely lead to a fight.

Although…

The clouds above were gathering. If Thundercracker wanted any shelter from the oncoming rain, he would need to find it soon. The trees in the valley were too small to provide shelter, and he didn't want to stray too far from the flock.

So, Thundercracker approached the burrows, keeping to the edges. He stayed a respectable distance away, listening for any hisses or growls. When there were none, he knew he was safe.

Thundercracker crouched down, digging his claws into the soil. His first attempts were hesitant, but soon, he was readily digging. Plans formed in his processor—pull the soil there, pat it in here—as if they were there all along. By the time the first drops of rain landed on his plating, he was able to slip into his burrow.

It was small—much smaller than the others. There was barely enough room to fit him, and it was only deep enough to keep the rain out. But he was dry and safe. He was cold in the way he'd grown used to, his spark aching, but that was fine. He curled in on himself and closed his optics, entering recharge.

!!!

Thundercracker woke to a low fuel warning. He uncurled just enough to open his cockpit, pulling out one of his cubes. Whistles and calls outside proved the other Seekers were awake. His spark turned faster, something in the back of his processor telling hin to drink the cube as quickly as possible. He obeyed it, then stuck the empty container back in his storage space.

After a few moments of trying to get his spark to calm its rapid spinning, Thundercracker shook himself and crawled out of his burrow. He would have to integrate with the Seekers eventually. Why not start now?

Emerging from his burrow proved to be a mistake. The moment he exited, he was slammed against the ground. His shoulder took the brunt of the impact as he instinctively folded his wings out of the way. He let out a pained cry as the Seeker on top of him growled, digging its claws into his plating.

It was large—much larger than him, but not as big as the Winglord. Its nosecone was on the top of its helm, which under any other circumstance, Thundercracker may have found amusing. But as it glared angrily at him with yellow optics, there was no chance for fun. Its plating was dark blue, accented by black and bronze.

It brought its face to his, baring its dentae. Thundercracker closed his optics and turned his helm away as he went limp. What else could he do? So far, this was the best way to avoid fights.

The Seeker's olfactory sensor brushed against the side of Thundercracker's face. Then, suddenly, the weight lifted. Thundercracker rolled over, keeping his optics trained on the ground as he pushed himself into a sitting position.

What was that? It acted like it wanted to attack him and then just… went away?

The grass rustled quietly. Thundercracker jumped up, plating bristling. Was another Seeker about to give him the same treatment? But the Seeker approaching him jumped back, wings low. It was purple with gray and black accents.

It spoke to him and whistles and chirps just like the others had before. Thundercracker let a growl of frustration slip out. The Seeker squeaked and stepped back.

"I can't understand you," Thundercracker grumbled.

The purple Seeker stepped closer. It let out a questioning whistle.

"I only speak Common," Thundercracker said. "I don't know what you're saying."

The Seeker fluttered its wings, straightening up. It approached slowly and knelt before him. In a deliberate motion, it reached for Thundercracker's arm, its hand hovering over Thundercracker's medical panel.

It opened its own panel, unspooling its cable. It looked up at him.

If Thundercracker linked up with the Seeker, it could expose him to malware. It could also allow the Seeker to access files he wouldn't want it to see. But that was assuming he gave it full permission, and he wouldn't do that. He was smart.

So, Thundercracker opened his panel and let the Seeker connect. After a moment, he received a download request. He scanned the download. It came up as a language packet—Vosian. He hadn't heard of that one before, but it made sense that the Seekers would speak a language no one knew about. He installed the packet.

"Can you understand me?" The Seeker asked.

Thundercracker nodded. "Yeah."

It was strange to speak something other than Common. The same chirps and whistles exited his vocalizer, his mouth unmoving. But they were clumsier—he knew that because purple Seeker's wings fluttered as the air around it tingled with mirth.

"Great!" The purple Seeker said. "I'm Skywarp. I haven't met a Seeker who didn't know Vosian before. What flock are you from?"

The name was actually a single word that meant 'corruption of space and time,' but Thundercracker translated it as best he could. 'Skywarp' was a lot shorter to store in his files. Besides, he figured that the Autobots would need names to refer to the Seekers by whenever he returned, and they definitely couldn't make the whistles and clicks of Vosian, so it was best to have translations ready.

He realized now that the combination of sounds the magenta Seeker had used after he gave his name were the Seeker's own translation: sky-cleaving roar. He didn't mind it.

"My name is Thundercracker," Thundercracker said, repeating the name the magenta Seeker gave him. "I don't come from a flock. I'm flockless."

Skywarp's optics widened. "Did they kill yours too?"

Thundercracker knew the Autobots killed many Seekers, taking pride in finding bases to raid. But it was one thing when Seekers were amorphous, violent beings and another when he was staring into the wide optics of one trying to hold a conversation with him. He had fully bought the way others talked about Seekers, not even contemplating whether it truly applied at all.

Thundercracker shook his helm. "I never had one."

Skywarp frowned, waz wings twitching.

"Then how did you get here?" Wa asked. "A Seeker without a flock is a dead Seeker."

"I flew," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp shook waz helm. Wa stared at the other Seekers, who by now were lounging in the steadily emerging sun. Most were in groups of three, but some passed between the groups. A few groups clumped together, only a small distance between them.

"This flock is better than no flock," Skywarp said. "Winglord Megatron is strict, but he doesn't kill during challenges."

Kill during challenges…? That meeting up the hill suddenly became a lot more dangerous.

"Is that normal?" Thundercracker asked.

"I don't know," Skywarp said, waz wings lowering. "The Winglord of my birth flock killed. They were the only other flock I've been a part of."

Thundercracker hummed. The dark blue Seeker that pinned him before approached a red Seeker. The two rubbed olfactory ridges, then settled beside each other.

"Why did that blue Seeker pin me down?" Thundercracker asked.

Skywarp looked up, following Thundercracker's gaze.

"Dirge?" Wa said.

The name translated more like 'slow march of death,' but Dirge fit that closely enough. Thundercracker nodded.

"Yeah," he said.

"Thrust—the red one—is gravid," Skywarp said. "Dirge was checking whether or not you were a threat."

Again, the name was something more like 'endless flight,' but Thrust was close enough.

Thundercracker scrunched his olfactory ridge. "Why not just ask?"

Skywarp turned back toward him. Wa didn't meet his gaze, but wa came close.

"Words are empty," wa said. "Actions and instincts talk more than they ever could."

Thundercracker wasn't sure he agreed with that, but there was no point in arguing. If that was what the Seekers believed, he may experience a few more encounters like that. He definitely wasn't looking forward to them—that first one was humiliating and terrifying enough.

Suddenly, Skywarp's wings snapped up. Waz optics went wide. The air filled with the sting of fear. With a screech, wa leaped into the air and disappeared into one of the nearby burrows.

What was that about? Thundercracker searched his surroundings. Pedesteps reached his audials, slow and deliberate. Someone was approaching him. He turned. Multiple someones, actually.

Ahead, two Seekers steadily marched closer. One was pale purple with black and red accents. The other was cyan with white and red accents. Together, they moved in near perfect sync, taking step after step at the same time.

Thundercracker glanced up at them before quickly averting his gaze. He learned his lesson with the Winglord. Here, optic contact was an action worthy of retaliation. The Seekers stopped in front of him.

"You're coming with us," the purple one said.

Thundercracker didn't want to come with them. He had no idea what their intentions were or why they approached him. Skywarp fled the moment she saw them, so they were clearly bad news.

But there were two of them and one of him, so Thundercracker rose. He followed them, making sure to keep his gaze averted. The other Seekers glanced his way. Some watched from the corners of their optics.

Just what had he gotten himself into?

The two Seekers led him to a large burrow. They paused outside of it. The purple one motioned for him to follow as they crawled inside. Thundercracker obeyed, not wanting to find out what would happen if he refused. Golden optics shone from the inside of the burrow.

It went much further than his own or even the others they walked by. It opened into a larger chamber. Thundercracker adjusted his optics, turning on the switch for night vision. In a couple of moments, his optics adjusted, allowing him to see.

The golden optics from earlier were attached to a bright yellow mech. The yellow mech offered him a close-lipped smile, nas wings rising. Na outstretched a hand, offering it to Thundercracker palm-up. But before Thundercracker could take it, na withdrew it.

"I'm Sunstorm," the yellow Seeker said.

Nas voice was smooth and soft, flowing like the sap of a tree. Since na hadn't attacked Thundercracker yet, he decided to risk asking a question.

"Why did you bring me here?" He asked.

Sunstorm frowned. Nas wings flicked. He glared at the other two Seekers.

"Did you not tell him?" Sunstorm said, nas voice sickeningly sweet.

The other two Seekers exchanged glances. The purple one shrugged. Sunstorm closed nas optics and sighed, sitting silently for a moment. Then, na opened nas optics and turned back toward Thundercracker.

"This is Hotlink," Sunstorm said, motioning toward the purple one. Next, na motioned to the cyan one. "This is Bitstream. I sent them to collect you for a checkup."

A checkup? Was Sunstorm a medic? Na didn't look like one. Medics wore a specific symbol, and it was nowhere on Sunstorm's frame.

"Don't worry," Sunstorm said. Was Thundercracker really emitting that much fear? He wasn't that concerned! "This will be quick. I just want to ensure you're healthy. We've had some arrivals succumb to illness in the past."

"I'm not sick," Thundercracker said.

Sunstorm's wing flicked. "You may not be now, but if I know what's typical for you, it'll be easier for me to know when something is wrong. Surely an intelligent mech like yourself can see that?"

Thundercracker was intelligent. Maybe this was a good idea…

He nodded.

"Good!" Sunstorm said, fluttering nas wings. "Let's start!"

What proceeded was a surprisingly standard medical exam, considering the lack of equipment. Sunstorm began with his helm, checking it for dents. Then, na moved on to his optics, briefly using a light attached to nas wrist to check their responsiveness.

He glanced at Thundercracker's wings, making no move to touch them.

"Splendid," na said. "Such nice, defined striping."

Thundercracker may have preened. Just a little. Sunstorm smiled at him again.

But the next thing he checked made Thundercracker tense. Sunstorm reached for his midsection, feeling the soft mesh around his abdomen. Then, na moved to the glass of his cockpit. Na tugged on it gently, wings twitching as the locks held true.

"Perfect," na said.

Then, na ran a claw along the seam of Thundercracker's cockpit. Thundercracker shuddered.

"You have your locks," Sunstorm said. "Beautifully functional. Good for a Spark."

A spark?

"What do you mean?" Thundercracker asked.

Sunstorm backed off. Na tapped nas claws on nas lap.

"I apologize for assuming," Sunstorm said. "With the way you reacted to Dirge before, I thought you were a Spark."

"Spark?"

Wasn't every mech a spark, technically?

Sunstorm's claws drummed harder. Na frowned. Some of Thundercracker's confusion must've escaped into the air.

"What is your role?" Sunstorm asked. "I need to know what to look for."

Role? Thundercracker just got here!

"I don't have one," he said.

Sunstorm's wings shot up. Nas optics went wide.

"Oh!" Na said. "Nothing wrong with being from a flock with… a unique culture, I suppose."

What was even happening? What was Sunstorm talking about? If having a 'role' was important here, then he had to know what the options were.

"Um, yes," Thundercracker said. "We didn't have roles. What are they?"

Sunstorm smiled.

"Each member of a trine plays a different part, keeping each other in balance," na said. "Sparks are the spark of their trine, hence the name. They protect the nest and ensure the other members of the trine are taking care of themselves."

A trine…? Tri, as in three. A group of three. That made the arrangement outside of the burrows make more sense.

Sunstorm paused, tapping on nas lap again. Na flicked nas wings, dipping nas helm toward Hotlink and Bitstream.

"As illuminated as I am about the other roles, I believe they can explain better," Sunstorm said.

Hotlink and Bitstream exchanged glances. Hotlink flicked waz wing. Bitstream lowered kas. With a snort, Hotlink turned toward Sunstorm and Thundercracker.

"I'm a Wing," wa said. "We guide the trine in flight, explore new lands, and collect resources. If you want fast, you want a Wing."

Like a scout? The Autobots had scouts. Bumblebee was one of them.

"If you want fast, you want someone that's not Hotlink," Bitstream said with a snicker.

Hotlink reached over and cuffed Bitstream over the helm. With a laugh, Bitstream shook kaz helm. Hotlink glared at ka, but neither seemed angry—amusement wafted through the burrow, warm and light.

Bitstream flexed kas plating, stretching. Then, ka turned back toward Thundercracker.

"I'm a Claw," ka said. "Claws protect the trine and maintain its social standing."

Like a guard? If Wings were scouts and Claws were guards, then what did that make Sparks? It made sense to divide duties, but why along these lines?

Sunstorm made it sound innate. It was just the way a Seeker reacted to others. The Autobots didn't have anything like that. They were mecha, no divisions besides alt mode, and even then, it wasn't considered in the same way. Mecha were referred to differently if they were a heavyweight or lightweight frame for their alt mode type, but that didn't mean anything special.

"Is a Seeker always one of the three?" Thundercracker asked.

"Always," Sunstorm said. "There's a test we take at six vorns—very similar to the way Dirge pinned you. Our responses are observed and we are told what we are. But if you grew up in a flock that didn't do the test, it makes sense you wouldn't know."

Six vorns? Thundercracker could barely fly at six vorns. That was when he had his first wipeout! How could they assign a seekerling a lifelong role so young?

He didn't like the idea, but he had to play along.

"What makes me a Spark?" Thundercracker asked.

"You went limp immediately," Sunstorm said. "A Claw would've fought before surrendering. A Wing would've fled."

They assigned him a role based on that?

The air around him filled with flickering amusement. Sunstorm stared down at him.

"You'll understand when you trine," na said.

Thundercracker didn't think he would, but there was no point in arguing. The air was full of condescension, or at least what Thundercracker assumed passed for it. The smile on Sunstorm's face was too strained, nas wings held in just the perfect position.

"There is one more thing I need to check," Sunstorm said.

"What's that?"

Sunstorm reached out, slowly and deliberately, resting the tips of nas claws on the glass of Thundercracker's cockpit. "Your storage space."

Thundercracker stiffened. His energeon candies from Prowl were in there! And his pain patches! If Sunstorm opened it, na would find them. A growl rose from his vocalizer before he could stop it. Those were his.

Sunstorm withdrew nas hand. Na lowered nas wings. Behind Thundercracker, Bitstream hissed. Sunstorm shook nas helm.

"I'm not going to take anything," Sunstorm said. "You can put it all back when I'm done. I just want to ensure everything is okay in there."

Thundercracker growled again, his claws moving toward his cockpit. Like he'd believe that!

"Why do you even need to look in there?" He hissed.

"You have your secondary locks," Sunstorm said. "Every Seeker who has their secondary locks needs their storage space examined for irregularities, especially Sparks. If not, when you enter Data Hunger, complications can arise."

Prowl told Thundercracker about Data Hunger. It was something adult mecha went through, though he hadn't yet. Ratchet didn't seem too concerned about it, so Thundercracker hadn't asked.

Thundercracker prepared himself to ask about it, but a sound gave him pause. Pedesteps approached the group as scarlet optics shone in the entrance tunnel. Sunstorm turned toward them as the Seeker stepped into the chamber. It was the magenta Seeker from before, dentae gritted and wings trembling.

"Starscream!" Sunstorm said. "I see you finally remembered to pick up your medicine."

"You told me it wasn't ready before," Starscream hissed.

Sunstorm dipped nas helm. "It wasn't, dear sibling, but you've always tried to rush things. The world is simply too slow for you."

Starscream rolled kas optics. Then, ka flinched, curling further in on kaz.

"Can you just hand it over?" Ka hissed.

Sunstorm's gaze lingered on ka for a moment. Nas lips twitched.

"You ate without taking it again, didn't you?" Na said. The ultra-sweet tone from before was back. "As I said before, the world is simply too slow for you. The enzymes are ready, but I still need to collect more roots. I have just enough for you this cycle."

Starscream chewed kas lip, kas claws flexing. Sunstorm scooted over, patting the now empty place next to nam.

"Come sit!" Na said.

Starscream glared at Sunstorm. Kas optics drifted toward Thundercracker, and kas plating flared. Then, ka stomped kas pede and turned around, growling quietly.

"Stop wasting my time and let me know when all of it is done!" He shouted. "I have scrap to do, unlike you!"

Sunstorm watched ka go, a strained smile tugging at nas lips. The air filled with something simultaneously sharp and soft—amusement tinged with sadness. Sunstorm sighed and shook nas helm.

"Oh, sibling…" na said quietly.

Thundercracker shuffled sideways a bit, preparing to push himself up. Sunstorm was distracted. If he could leave before he was noticed—

"Where are you going?" Sunstorm said.

Thundercracker's wings twitched. He froze, chestplates tightening. Sunstorm motioned for him to sit back down. Mindlessly, he obeyed.

"Now, please empty your storage space," Sunstorm said.

Thundercracker's optics met Sunstorm's. He curled his lips, fighting not to bare his dentae. Sunstorm glared back at him, nas wings going wide.

"Please," na said.

Thundercracker stifled a growl. Sunstorm continued to glare.

Suddenly, all will to resist left Thundercracker. He slumped and unlocked his cockpit. The energeon cubes tumbled into his hands, followed by the pain patches. He placed them on the ground in front of him before removing the candies.

Sunstorm scooted closer. Na reached out. Thundercracker closed his optics and hung his helm. Gentle hands brushed the interior of his storage space, running along its walls.

"You're doing well," Sunstorm said softly.

Thundercracker kept his optics closed. His wings trembled. Eventually, the hands left his storage space. Only after the shuffle of Sunstorm moving back to his original place did Thundercracker open his optics.

He shoved everything back into his cockpit, taking a quick count as he did. His plating finally untensed. Nothing was taken.

"Everything is perfect," Sunstorm said.

Thundercracker nodded numbly. The only thing he wanted to do now was hide. His burrow, though cold and small, would protect him. Sunstorm's wings lowered, nas lips turning downward.

"Wherever you came from, I promise it's better here," Sunstorm said. "We share our fuel. No one goes hungry. No one will take your things. The wounded and sick get treated."

Just like the Autobots. Thundercracker's spark twinged. They thought the Seekers were only savage monsters.

Bitstream stiffened, kas wings flicking. "Stormy, that's not…"

Sunstorm grimaced. Na turned back toward Bitstream.

"And whose fault is it?" Sunstorm said. "Who has taken our hunting grounds? Who kills our flockmates?"

"The Autobots," Bitstream and Hotlink muttered.

Sunstorm nodded. "Yes, the Autobots."

Na turned back toward Thundercracker.

"Winglord Megatron keeps us safe," na said. "Winglord Megatron has a plan. When those groundkissers are gone, we will never have to worry again. The Decepticons are the largest and strongest flock left. You're clever to have come here."

It was pure, dumb luck. Thundercracker's spark spun faster in his chest. Hatred singed the air around him, anger at its edges. If they knew he was sent here by Autobots, what would they do to him?

!!!

Thundercracker returned to his burrow right away after that, scooting as deeply into it as he could. He curled in on himself, nursing his rapidly spinning spark. He knew he was among enemies, but in learning who they were he had almost forgotten.

Sunstorm's impassioned remarks were a stark reminder. The Seekers—Decepticons—would tear him limb from limb if they learned his true affiliation. He couldn't take all of them down. How could he accomplish his mission if the hatred ran so deep?

Pedesteps approached his burrow. He froze. A flash of familiar purple was at the corner of the entrance. Thundercracker forced himself to uncurl, creeping forward to view the Seeker. Skywarp sat at the edge of his burrow, waz wings twitching as the air around wa tingled with anticipation and joy.

When wa noticed Thundercracker saw wan, waz wings went up. Wa fiddled with a small object in waz hands, obscuring it from him.

"Hey!" Wa said quietly.

Thundercracker's wings shot up of their own accord. "Hi."

"I brought you something," Skywarp said, thrusting waz hand forward. Wa uncurled waz fingers, exposing the object.

A small orange stone. It glittered in the light. Thundercracker reached for it, something in his spark drawn to it. Skywarp tipped waz palm, the small stone rolling in Thundercracker's waiting hand.

One moment, Thundercracker was holding the stone in his hands. The next, it was tucked into his storage space as he grabbed Skywarp by the hand and dragged wan into his burrow. He hadn't thought, merely acted. Wa was warm, pressed up against his plating like this, but there was barely enough space for the two of them.

"Your burrow is small," Skywarp said.

Thundercracker hummed. Wasn't that what he was just thinking? He scooted as far as he could manage and dug his claws into the walls, pulling down the soil around them. With a quiet trill, Skywarp joined him, satisfaction filling the air.

They both dug, occasionally pausing to shovel loose dirt out of the burrow. Eventually, it fit both of them comfortably with plenty of room to spare. Thundercracker's spark sung as he admired their work. He let loose a purr.

Skywarp's wings twitched at the sound. Wa turned toward him with a smile.

"Think it's big enough now?" Thundercracker said.

"More than big enough," Skywarp said. "Though…"

"Though what?"

Skywarp's wings lowered.

"You maybe sort of… don't have a nest?" Wa said.

"A nest?" Thundercracker asked. Like a cybird? Or a glitchmouse?

Skywarp stared at him. Waz wings flicked. Then, wa shook waz helm.

"Come with me," wa said, heading toward the entrance.

Wa moved a short distance away from the burrows as Thundercracker followed. Then, wa leaped into the air and took off. Thundercracker flew beside wan. The distance they traveled was short, and soon, they landed at the border of a forest.

Trees stretched into the sky, coated in dull metal bark but bearing colorful leaves. Skywarp approached the closest tree, leaping into its canopy. What was wa doing?

Thundercracker walked to the edge of the tree. Skywarp clung to the trunk with waz claws, waz thruster burning the base of a branch. Then, wa turned off waz thruster and kicked the branch.

"Catch!" Wa shouted as the branch fell. "Or, well… don't, actually. It might hit you on the helm."

Thundercracker let the branch fall. It landed with a thud, the edge Skywarp heated sill glowing red. Other branches joined it, and soon, they had a pile.

Skywarp leaped down from the tree. Wa gathered up the branches, leaves and all. Thundercracker did the same.

"What are we using these for?" He asked.

Skywarp stared at him again.

"You'll see," wa said.

Wa took off. Thundercracker followed wa back to the burrow. They deposited the branches inside the burrow. Skywarp stared down at them, letting out a couple of quiet, meaningless clicks.

Wa leaned down, taking a couple of the branches in waz hands. Running waz hands down the branches, wa stripped the them of their leaves. Thundercracker did the same.

The action was relaxing. Thundercracker found his plating untensing. Eventually, all of the leaves were stripped. Skywarp spread the leaves across the floor, then turned back toward the pile of branches. Wa but waz lip.

"I'm not too great at this," wa said quietly. Wa laid waz fingers on one branch, then quickly withdrew them. With a sigh, wa picked up a different one. "Here goes nothing…"

Wa placed down the branch at the side of the burrow. Then, wa grabbed another branch, heating it with waz thrusters slightly. Wa bent the branch, then wove it into the one wa already placed.

It was familiar. But why? Thundercracker picked up a branch. He hummed. Too thin. Why did he know that? He grabbed another, thicker branch and wove it into Skywarp's.

Skywarp jerked backward with a sharp cry, optics widening. Thundercracker lowered his wings. Wa shook waz, grabbing another branch from the pile.

Plans quickly formed in Thundercracker's mind. Somehow, he knew exactly what they were building. Branch after branch, they covered the walls. At a couple of points, they grew low on branches. Skywarp darted out, quickly retrieving more. They didn't stop until the burrow's walls were covered.

When they finished, Thundercracker's claws hurt and his fuel levels were low. Tiredness tugged at him, the back of his processor begging for a nap. But he had to ask…

"What is this?"

Skywarp smiled at him. "A nest."

A nest… it was exactly like glitchmice or cybirds. Thundercracker didn't know how he should feel about it, but he knew how he currently felt: sleepy.

"'Kay," he said, settling down in the middle of the nest.

He closed his optics, preparing to enter recharge. A weight settled beside him. Warm. He opened an optic. Skywarp?

He snuggled closer. Wa purred quietly. His purrs quickly joined waz. For the first time in vorns, he wasn't cold, and his spark didn't hurt.

!!!

Thundercracker woke to a low fuel warning. But he was so warm. He didn't want to get up. Despite that, he rolled over, pausing as someone groaned beside him.

Right. Skywarp. He didn't know why he invited wan into his burrow, or why it felt so natural to do so. Wa stirred, opening waz optics.

"Wanna hunt?" Wa asked.

Hunt… like what he did to that scraplet? Thundercracker's wings twitched. Energy was building beneath his plating and he hadn't even gotten up yet. He shot up, heading for the entrance.

He only paused when he realized he had no idea where he was going. He turned back toward the burrow. Skywarp emerged from it, sprinting over.

"Is that a yes?" Wa asked when wa finally caught up.

Thundercracker nodded. He flicked his wings again. He needed to get out there! Wherever 'out there' was…

"Where are we going?" He asked.

Skywarp smiled. "I know a place."

Wa leaped into the air. Thundercracker followed wan, this time to a different forest. They entered it quietly, standing still. Cybirds chirped. A bytemunk chattered.

Any of them could be prey, but the crunch of leaf litter nearby caught Thundercracker's attention. It was larger than a bytemunk, but not so large it would be difficult to take down. He glanced at Skywarp. Based on the height of waz wings, wa heard it too.

They both stayed perfectly still as the creature approached. Slowly, Thundercracker lowered himself into a crouch, preparing to leap the moment it came close enough. Then, there! A flash of gleaming plating!

Thundercracker pounced, claws extended. The petrorabbit never stood a chance. It kicked and squirmed in his hold, but his claws held true. He bent the creature backwards and slammed it down, shattering its dorsal strut, destroying the delicate bundle of neurocircuits it contained. The petrorabbit went still, paralyzed.

Then, he leaned down, sinking his teeth into the front of its neck. Warm energeon flowed from the punctures, pushed by the petrorabbit's still-beating fuel pump. Thundercracker drank it, but he paused well before he was sated.

He offered the rest to Skywarp, who approached carefully before taking it. Wa purred as wa drank from it. Licking the energeon from waz lips, Skywarp did something Thundercracker had never seen before: wa pried the plating from the mechanimal and bit into it.

When Thundercracker was with the Autobots, he only drank energeon. It was the only fuel they could have. Energeon was 'nutritionally complete,' as Prowl liked to call it. But as the petrorabbit's soft metal ground beneath Skywarp's dentae, Thundercracker had a realization: Seekers were different.

He wanted to hunt and kill things like scraplets because he wanted to eat them. All of them. Not just the line energeon—the plating and the internals, too.

Solvent flooded his mouth. He scooted closer to Skywarp. This time, she didn't jump. He pried off a scute of his own and bit into it. Flavor bursted in his mouth. It was unlike anything he tasted before.

Soon, the outer plating was gone. Both Seekers moved on to the internals, and eventually, nothing was left of the petrorabbit. Thundercracker's fuel gauge wasn't complaining anymore. A joyful trill escaped him before he could stop it. Skywarp nuzzled his shoulder. He nuzzled wan back.

Finally, he knew why skittering little things set him so on edge! He knew why he craved to follow them! And he knew why that line energeon tasted so rich when he killed that scraplet! It was what he was supposed to be eating all along.

"My gauge is full," Thundercracker said. "How's yours?"

"Close enough," Skywarp said, stretching. Wa stood up. "Do you want to head back?"

"Yeah."

So, they flew back. Thundercracker returned to the burrow right away, reluctant to remain outside when a Seeker like Dirge might 'try to make sure he wasn't a threat' again. Skywarp also stayed in the burrow, but closer to the entrance. They sat like that for a while, until eventually…

Thundercracker tapped his claws on the ground. He was bored. All he had in his storage space was pain patches and energeon candies. What was he supposed to do?

Thundercracker decided to risk it. He crawled out of the burrow, passing by Skywarp. Ahead of him, the Seekers lounged. Dirge and another mech cuddled with Thrust, laying in the light of the sun. A few other groups also basked, though one particular pair wrestled off to the side.

Bitstream and Hotlink descended from the sky, immediately heading for Sunstorm's burrow. Thundercracker turned, staring up the hill. Even the Winglord was out, though ka didn't join the others.

There was no sign of Starscream. Where had the small Seeker gone? Thundercracker supposed he could be out doing almost anything. Something about the smaller Seeker intrigued him, and he needed to learn more. Ka was the only Seeker aside from the Winglord that seemed to know Common. Why was that?

Thundercracker headed toward the other Seekers, keeping his gaze averted and his wings low. He didn't want anyone to see him as a threat. As he settled down in one of the few empty spaces in the valley, dark plating caught his optics.

A black Seeker sat alone, wings low and optics closed. Thundercracker searched his memory banks. The other cycle, that Seeker was alone, too. Did they have a trine?

Thundercracker crept closer to them, holding his wings up in greeting. They opened their optics. Then, they closed them again and hung their helm, resigned. The air around them filled with the cold sting of despair, but there was another layer beneath it, warm and curious.

Thundercracker settled a short distance away from the Seeker. This close, the Seeker's age was apparent. Their plating was weathered at the seams, the mesh beneath it bearing stretchmarks from past molts.

"Why are you alone?" He asked.

The Seeker opened nas optics again. Na stared at Thundercracker. Then, nas wings flicked.

"You're the new one," na said.

"Yeah," Thundercracker said. "Why are you alone? Aren't you supposed to have a trine?"

He hadn't seen an older Seeker without one.

The old Seeker hummed. "My trine was killed by grounders. I don't intend to find a new one."

"Why not?"

Sunstorm placed such importance on trines. Na described them like they were a wonderful, essential thing all Seekers eventually became a part of.

The old Seeker tapped nas cockpit.

"See here," he said.

Thundercracker leaned closer. Inside the cockpit was a bubble of metal. Some sort of growth? Eww…

The old Seeker laughed. Thundercracker's confusion and disgust must've made it into the air.

"It's a newspark," the old Seeker said. "The only thing I have left of my trinemates. If I get a new trine, my body will kill it."

Did Thundercracker really start off as that? A vaguely elliptical bubble of metal in his dam's cockpit?

Wait. What did na mean nas body would kill it? What did trining involve that would be powerful enough to kill a newspark?

"Kill it?" Thundercracker said.

"When a Seeker trines, their body prepares for a new life with their trinemates," the old Seeker said. "Their body will terminate any newsparks they're carrying to make the space available for the newsparks of their current trinemates."

"And you don't want that," Thundercracker said.

It made sense. Staying untrined was the only way for the old Seeker to keep nas newspark. But…

The Seeker's optics were dull. Nas plating was soon to follow. Na wasn't getting enough fuel, and generating an entire newspark surely consumed a lot. Thundercracker was reminded of what Sunstorm said—the Autobots had taken the Seekers' hunting grounds. Was that why the old Seeker couldn't feed naz?

"I already lost one," the old Seeker said, resting a hand on nas cockpit. "I don't want to lose this one, too."

That settled it.

"You won't," Thundercracker said.

The old Seeker's wings flicked. Curiosity drifted on the air.

"I'm going to help you, no trining required," Thundercracker said. "Just tell me what you need."

The old Seeker's optics widened. Then, na frowned.

"You don't mean that," na said.

Thundercracker puffed out his plating. "Try me!"

The old Seeker laughed. Mirth twirled with melancholy filled the air.

"Fine," the old Seeker said. "I believe you."

Thundercracker grinned, excitement building beneath his plating. Finally, he had another ally in this place. The old Seeker offered nas hand. Thundercracker shook it.

The old Seeker froze. Slowly, na withdrew the hand, confusion buzzing in the air. Did the flock not do handshakes? Whoops.

Thundercracker lowered his wings. The old Seeker shook nas helm and smiled.

"All I need is food," na said. "Just give me what you can spare."

Thundercracker fluttered his wings. That was easy! He'd take an excuse to hunt more, especially now that he had a taste for it.

"I can do a lot better than that!" He said, rising from his place.

"Don't strain yourself," the old Seeker said gently. "And, before you leave—my name is Blast."

It translated literally as 'great invisible force.' Thundercracker could see how that may have described nam, once. The old Seeker, despite nas frailty, was large. Na must have been very powerful when na wasn't aging and underfuelled.

"Mine's Thundercracker!" Thundercracker said, sending Blast a smile before he turned away.

There was plenty of hunting to do.

Thundercracker woke with a creeping energy under his plating. He needed to fly. Skywarp was still in recharge, so he carefully extracted himself from wan. He poked his helm outside of the burrow to check for threats. When none materialized, he stepped out and took off.

He stayed near the camp, not wanting to get lost or encounter any hostiles—whether that be Autobots or strange Seekers. Quickly, he fell into his usual pattern. Gliding on the wind, he took sharp turn after sharp turn, creating circles and figure eights. It was enough to sate his need without crossing vast distances, though it did leave him dizzy.

When his helm began to spin, he turned in the other direction, following the same patterns. A shadow passed over him. His sensors alerted him to a large object nearby. He paused.

A hovercraft circled him. It was silver and red. He recognized the colors. The Winglord. Did ka want something from him?

Thundercracker descended. The Winglord looped around him before landing. Ka stared down at Thundercracker as ka approached, kas arms folded.

"A very… unique flight pattern," the Winglord said.

Thundercracker forced his plating to lie flat. He couldn't anger the Winglord.

"What's wrong with it?" He asked.

"I've seen it before," Megatron said, kas brow furrowing. "In Seekers who grew up caged."

Caged? Thundercracker was never caged. He was free to fly! He just… wasn't allowed to go very far. Or fly very often.

"I didn't—"

The Winglord raised kas hand. Thundercracker silenced himself.

"I knew a mech once," the Winglord said. "Swift, powerful. But na flew in tight circles like you. Na wasn't given the space to soar in an enclosure, so na worked with what na had."

He made it sound abnormal. But that was just the way Thundercracker flew. He needed to work off the energy and stretch his wings. Doubt crept into the back of his helm.

Was it… wrong? Was there something wrong with him?

"But that's not the point of this conversation," the Winglord said. Then, ka opened kas mouth, speaking the next words in Common: "Starscream told me where you came from."

Thundercracker's spark seized. Ka knew. Ka knew the entire time. Was ka here to kill him? Thundercracker stepped back, preparing to run, but the Winglord held out kas hand.

"I'm not going to harm you," the Winglord said, returning to Vosian. "You aren't the only captive-raised Seeker in our flock. But I want to ensure we won't come to any harm. Are they looking for you?"

Thundercracker shook his helm. He was supposed to be here, so they wouldn't come looking.

"Good," the Winglord said. Ka continued to stare down at Thundercracker, and Thundercracker fought not to shrink. "You will have a chance to prove yourself soon."

Thundercracker's spark turned faster. "Prove myself?"

Suddenly, a strong wind blanketed them, a powerful whoosh coursing through Thundercracker's audials.

"Thundercracker!"

Skywarp? How did wa get here? Skywarp nearly flew into him, waz arms coming up to wrap around him. Waz plating pressed so closely to his that waz spark pulses traveled through it. They were rapid. Cold, stinging fear hung in the air. Thundercracker didn't know if it was waz or his own.

Then, Skywarp stiffened.

"W-Winglord…" wa stammered.

"You're fine," the Winglord said, closing kas optics. "I was merely introducing myself."

"Oh," Skywarp said quietly, tightening waz grip on Thundercracker.

With a nod, Megatron transformed and flew away. The moment ka was out of sight, Skywarp pulled away, frantically examining Thundercracker.

"I woke up and you were gone!" Wa said. "I didn't know where you went, and the Autobots have been getting closer and closer to us! All I could think about was you getting hurt, or captured, or—"

"I'm okay," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp shook waz helm and pulled him in again, burying waz helm in his shoulder. Waz spark was still pulsing rapidly, but not as rapidly as before. Waz wings shook. Slowly, Thundercracker lowered them to the ground.

Why was Skywarp so scared? He hadn't been gone for that long, had he? Wa said Autobots killed waz birth flock, and said they were coming closer. Was wa afraid of losing him, even though they'd only met so recently?

Come to think of it, Thundercracker hadn't seen Skywarp with anyone else. Did wa also have no one to rely on? Was that why wa was so scared to lose him?

Whatever the cause, Thundercracker had a shaking Seeker in his arms. He pulled wan closer. What could he do?

Shifting his grip, he reached for one of waz wings. Gently, replicating a motion he'd felt many times but never done himself, he stroked waz wing. Skywarp stiffened, but quickly relaxed into the touch. Eventually, waz spark slowed, and the shaking went away.

Thundercracker released wan. Wa didn't rise, only getting up when he did. Wa hung waz helm, waz wings low.

"I'm sorry," wa said.

"It's okay," Thundercracker said. "Let's go hunt."

His fuel gauge was complaining, and he still needed to get something for Blast that cycle. The two took off to seek prey.

As Thundercracker flew beside Skywarp, his processor drifted back to the Winglord's remark about his flight pattern. When they went on the hunt, he nearly missed his first pounce. The petrorabbit almost slipped away, but Thundercracker landed just close enough to grab it.

Other Seekers didn't fly in circles. Other Seekers knew what a nest was. Other Seekers knew how big to make their burrow.

But Autobots didn't claw walls. They didn't kill scraplets. Their sparks didn't hurt when they slept alone. They didn't struggle to fit through doors.

Thundercracker was a bad Autobot and a bad Seeker.

Suddenly, the scute of plating in his mouth wasn't appealing anymore. His fuel gauge wasn't full, but he couldn't bring himself to eat. He laid the plating next to the petrorabbit it came from.

Skywarp frowned.

"What's up?" She said.

Thundercracker closed his optics. The air around Skywarp bubbled with concern. Scrap it all.

"Am I a bad Seeker?" Thundercracker asked.

Skywarp's olfactory ridge scrunched. Waz wings flicked.

"You're different," wa said. "Not bad. Just different."

"You had to show me how to make a nest," Thundercracker mumbled.

"I didn't show you anything," Skywarp said. "Just… reminded you. You knew what to do. You only needed to remember."

Skywarp didn't know. Wa probably just assumed he came from a strange flock like Sunstorm did. He couldn't tell wan. He had no way of telling how wa would react, especially knowing Autobots killed waz birth flock.

"We need to keep hunting," Thundercracker said, standing up. "We still have to catch something for Blast."

Skywarp hadn't objected when he told wa about his promise. Wa had simply nodded, a brief flash of determination crossing the air. So, for the last few cycles, they'd been hunting for three.

!!!

Thundercracker carried the ferrowolf proudly. It took both of them to take it down, but it was more than enough for even all three of them. He searched the valley for Blast, finding nam in the same spot na always sat. Gazing optics penetrated Thundercracker's plating, but he forced himself to ignore them. Skywarp pressed closer to him, the air around wa buzzing nervously.

Settling next to Blast, Thundercracker laid the ferrowolf between them. Blast's optics widened as na stared down at it.

"I told you not to strain yourself," Blast said.

Thundercracker smiled. "Do I look strained?"

Blast leaned down to pry a scute from the ferrowolf. "I suppose not. But this is more than I can eat. You'll have to share with me."

Thundercracker's fuel gauge wasn't quite low, but carrying the ferrowolf back did take quite a bit of fuel. He shrugged, prying a scute. He handed it to Skywarp before taking another for himself.

Just as he finished his piece, a shadow fell over them. Anger traveled through the air, envy at its edges. Thundercracker looked up, but was careful not to meet the optics of the Seekers that glared down at them.

The first was Dirge, dentae bared and claws flexed. The second was a white Seeker with black and red accents, obviously the third member of Dirge's trine. A low hum filled the air, traveling straight to Thundercracker's spark chamber. The back of his processor begged him to cower.

Blast's wings lowered as na closed nas optics. Skywarp yelped, waz claws digging into Thundercracker's back as wa attempted to scramble behind him.

"Give us the ferrowolf," the white Seeker said. "And maybe we'll think of sparing your plating."

Thundercracker dug his claws into the dirt. He bared his dentae, a growl rising from his engine. That was his prey—he and Skywarp caught it!

Dirge growled back, the hum growing louder. Thundercracker shook himself, tuning out the noise, and rose. He fanned his wings wide and hissed.

"No!" He said. "Get your own."

The slightest twitch alerted Thundercracker. Before the strike could land, he was already out of the way. He spun, using the momentum to strike back. His fist hit the white Seeker's face with a clang. The white Seeker stumbled backward.

Dirge was already upon him, claws raking his plating. Whirling, Thundercracker stuck back. His claws raked the side of Dirge's face and shoulder. Dirge slammed kas elbow into Thundercracker's chest. The force sent Thundercracker backward, his chest stinging.

He tripped over the ferrowolf's leg, barely catching himself in time. Claws seized his helm, wrapping around to his face. Thundercracker bit down on the few that dared come close to his dentae. The Seeker loosened waz grip, giving Thundercracker just enough space to turn and kick wan.

The Seeker yelped, tumbling to the ground on their dorsal strut. Air rushed near Thundercracker's wing. He turned, snapping at Dirge's reaching hand. Then, he growled, summoning the part of him that made the ground shake.

The dirt around them rippled like water from the force as Thundercracker's audials cut out. Dirge slid backward, kas pedes leaving trails in the dirt. Kas optics widened. Ka backed away, wings still spread wide.

Sound returned to the world. Thundercracker readied himself to summon the force again.

"What is this?"

The three fighting Seekers froze as the Winglord's voice roared. Irritation pierced the air. Immediately, Dirge and kas trinemate sank to their knees. Thundercracker was soon to follow.

The Winglord stood before them, arms crossed and wings set high. Skywarp darted out from behind him, catching Thundercracker's optics before wa disappeared with a quiet pop. Well, that explained how wa found him earlier…

"Winglord!" The white Seeker said. "We were attempting to reallocate resources to someone more deserving."

There was an undercurrent to waz voice. It crept into the back of Thundercracker's processor, begging him to believe the Seeker's words, but his anger shoved it away. How dare this Seeker insinuate they didn't deserve prey they'd rightfully caught?

"Ramjet," the Winglord scolded, cuffing the white Seeker over the helm. The white Seeker—Ramjet—flinched. "Do not attempt to use your ability on me."

Ability…? Was that what the undercurrent was?

"My apologies, Winglord!" Ramjet squeaked. "B-but you must understand! Thrust has kindled. We need the fuel."

The Winglord scowled. "So you decided to fight your flockmates, reducing both your and their capacity to battle the Autobots, rather than getting your lazy pedes off the ground and hunting more?"

Ramjet lowered waz wings and scrunched waz optics shut. Dirge did the same.

"We apologize, Winglord," Ramjet said.

The Winglord growled. Then, ka turned to Thundercracker. Thundercracker curled in on himself. Was he about to be cuffed over the helm, too?

"You have a powerful ability," the Winglord said.

Powerful? Thundercracker supposed it was. Though, he wasn't quite sure what it was in the first place. His audials always cut out when he activated it, so maybe it was sound-based?

"Do not use it in the camp again."

Thundercracker nodded, still keeping his helm low. "I won't."

The Winglord flicked kas wings. Ka took a step back with a grunt. The irritation in the air faded, but didn't fully disappear.

"Give Dirge's trine what's left of the ferrowolf when you're done with it," the Winglord said. "They are correct that they need the sustenance, and a ferrowolf is far more than enough for three mecha. I had better not catch any of you fighting in the camp again."

Thundercracker nodded. Beside him, Ramjet and Dirge did the same. Satisfied, the Winglord took off, landing in front of kas burrow. Ka sat at the front of it, watching the rest of the camp.

Before the group could dissipate, a whoosh of air passed over them. Ahead of them was Sunstorm, a small frown on nas face. From behind na scampered Skywarp, who quickly darted behind Thundercracker. Sunstorm approached slowly.

"Which of you lovely Seekers am I treating first?" Na said.

Before anyone could speak, Thundercracker sat back down in front of the ferrowolf, leaving Sunstorm with Dirge and Ramjet. He wasn't injured—as far as he could tell, anyway—but he'd gotten a few good blows in. The scratch on Dirge's face was already weeping energeon.

He dug his claws into the ferrowolf's abdomen and wrenched it open, exposing its internals. Running his claws along its edges, he slowly pulled out its spark chamber. Then, he handed it off to Blast. Na dipped nas helm at him, gratefulness softening the air.

Thundercracker proceeded calmly, even as anger burned in his spark. Using his limited experience, he carved out the tastiest parts of the ferrowolf, handing them off as soon as he could. The less left, the better. Good reason or not, those scrapheaps would benefit as little as possible from stealing from him.

If they had asked, he would have offered. Likely would have divided the spark chamber among all of them. Instead, they threatened him, Skywarp, and Blast. Thundercracker cut off a growl before it could escape him. They didn't deserve anything, not even scraps.

Something pressed against his shoulder. Thundercracker stiffened, but quickly relaxed as he caught sight of purple plating. It was Skywarp, leaning waz chin on his shoulder.

"I can't believe you did that," wa said quietly.

"I couldn't let them take it," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp nuzzled his shoulder. "It's just prey. We could hunt more."

It wasn't just prey. Something about it was important. Thundercracker just couldn't put his claws on what.

"But still," Skywarp said. "You looked… different… out there. Like a Claw defending kas Spark. I didn't know you could split the air like that."

Split the air… Skywarp must've been referring to his ability.

"I've only used it a couple of times," Thundercracker admitted.

"It's powerful," Skywarp said. "Winglord Megatron even said so. You're powerful."

Skywarp's tone was affectionate, the lightness of awe and admiration floating through the air. Thundercracker fought not to preen, knowing that it would dislodge Skywarp from his shoulder. He liked having wa there. The pressure was nice.

"I am," Thundercracker said.

Sunstorm was finished with Dirge. Na moved on to Ramjet, slathering the mech's scratches in some sort of gel. How much longer did Thundercracker have before Sunstorm approached him?

"You have an ability, too," Thundercracker said. "I didn't realize until now."

"I do," Skywarp said, scooting closer to him.

Thundercracker had a realization he should've had ages ago: Skywarp. Corruption of space and time. Skywarp was named after waz ability.

"You can teleport," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp stiffened slightly, then pressed waz deeper into his side. "Yes. I can. But only short distances. Long ones take a lot of fuel."

"That's cool," Thundercracker said.

And he meant it. How much would he have gotten up to if he could teleport? The Autobot base wouldn't have been able to handle it. Prowl's spark probably would've given out from the sheer amount of trouble he would've caused.

Sunstorm finished with Ramjet. Na turned toward Thundercracker. He was tempted to ask Skywarp to teleport him away then and there, but there wasn't any point in fleeing. Sunstorm would just find him again later.

He widened his wings as Sunstorm approached. Sunstorm lowered nas, closing nas optics with a sigh.

"There's no need for that," na said.

Thundercracker kept his wings wide even as Sunstorm knelt in front of him. He fought not to bare his dentae as Sunstorm examined him. When Sunstorm made contact, Thundercracker backed away, his back slamming into the rock they were leaning against. His wings hit Skywarp's helm as he moved, and wa let out a quiet noise.

Sunstorm's optics drifted toward Skywarp. Before he could stop himself, Thundercracker growled. Sunstorm hummed.

"You fought well," Sunstorm said softly.

Thundercracker's plating relaxed, but only a smidge. He did fight well.

"You protected your meal and the others," Sunstorm said. "I'm not going to take anything from you, and I'm not going to hurt anyone. The glass of your cockpit is cracked and I want to put a salve on it."

Thundercracker flicked his wings. He glanced at Skywarp. Wa dipped waz helm toward Sunstorm. Thundercracker scooted forward.

Sunstorm nodded and opened nas cockpit, taking out a small container. It was composed of tightly woven branches, similarly to a nest. Na took off the lid and dipped nas claws in. The substance inside was sticky and thick, transparent with a yellow tint.

Slowly, na brought his claws to Thundercracker's cockpit. Na smeared the gel across a large crack that Thundercracker hadn't noticed. It stung. Thundercracker dug his claws into the dirt until na finished.

"There," Sunstorm said. "Thank you for letting me treat you."

Sunstorm backed away, but na didn't leave. Thundercracker flicked his wings, reaching for Skywarp. Wa allowed waz to be pulled, sinking into him. Sunstorm smiled.

"You should find a Claw for your couplet," na said. "Playing Claw is bad for a Spark."

Playing Claw…? Did Sunstorm believe that just because he was supposedly a Spark, he couldn't defend himself? What a load of scrap!

"I've been training to fight since I was a seekerling," Thundercracker said.

Sunstorm turned away, rolling nas shoulder.

"Then it makes sense you're such an admirable fighter," na said. "But conflict between trines is what Claws are for."

Thundercracker forced himself not to growl. If he stayed quiet, maybe Sunstorm would just leave. And, eventually, he was proven right. Sunstorm turned away gracefully, heading toward nas burrow.

Nas departure gave Thundercracker the space to process nas words fully. Couplet…? Na had to be referring to him and Skywarp, but what did it mean?

Thundercracker turned toward Skywarp, leaning his chin on the top of Skywarp's helm. "What's a couplet?"

Skywarp pulled away. Wa frowned.

"An incomplete trine," wa said.

"Are we?" Thundercracker asked.

Skywarp's helm snapped up, waz optics widening. Digging waz claws into his plating, wa grabbed Thundercracker. The world contorted around them, and suddenly, they were in their nest. Thundercracker blinked away a wave of dizziness.

Skywarp's claws sank in. Wa shook him.

"You don't know?" Wa hissed, fear turning the air cold.

"Know what?"

"The stone I gave you!" Skywarp said. "It was a courting gift! You accepted it!"

Thundercracker had taken the stone, that much was certain. He didn't know why he felt the need to pull Skywarp in, or why he wanted wa close now, but it was starting to make sense.

"How could you not—? You didn't—?" Skywarp had turned away now, claws grasping waz helm as wa curled in on waz. "Do you even—"

Thundercracker reached for wan, pulling wan back into his arms. Waz fans were already whirring, waz spark pulsing under his touch. The fear in the air was overwhelming now. Thundercracker fought a shudder.

Skywarp was the only mech who was friendly to him when he first arrived. Wa had been nothing but kind. Wa cared about him deeply enough to panic like this. And after the fight with Dirge's trine, Thundercracker knew he cared back.

He didn't know what trining entailed other than a spending one's life with their trinemates. Would it be so bad to spend his life with Skywarp?

He had to tell wan.

"This is my first time being around other Seekers," Thundercracker said. "I didn't know. It just felt right. But I'd do it again."

Skywarp returned the embrace. Waz claws pricked Thundercracker's plating, but he didn't mind.

"You mean that?" wa asked.

"I do," Thundercracker said. "I don't know what trining entails, but there's no other Seeker I'd choose."

Skywarp buried waz helm in his shoulder. Wa slumped into him, relaxing completely. Wa laughed quietly—a sad, broken sound. But the fear in the air receded, hesitantly replaced with joy.

"I can teach you," Skywarp said. "All you'll need is some reminding."

Thundercracker rested his helm against Skywarp's.

"I'm looking forward to it."

!!!

Thundercracker woke with energy under his plating again. He poked Skywarp in the helm until the other Seeker stirred, then mumbled that he was going out. Wa mumbled something unintelligible back, quickly falling back into recharge. Satisfied that Skywarp at least understood enough not to wake up in a panic like a couple of cycles ago, Thundercracker left the nest and flew off.

He flew a short distance from the camp before beginning his typical pattern, widening and shrinking its radius as he soared. When dizziness began to creep up on him, he reversed direction. The turns—both tight and wide—lightened his spark.

But he couldn't keep going forever. Eventually, an ache blossomed in his helm as his gyroscopic sensors complained, sending him an alert. He spun slightly as he lost track of his position, the attempt to catch himself only making it worse. But Thundercracker was used to it.

Eventually, he would be flung outside of the pattern. He would spin until the momentum was used up, not knowing up from down. When he finally stopped moving, he would lower himself to the ground and lay there until his helm stopped hurting.

But the loss of control never came. Something brushed against his wing, steadying him. It brought him toward the ground, guiding him into a gentle landing. He transformed as he landed, hitting the ground before falling into a heap.

Thundercracker closed his optics, the ache in his helm intensifying. Before he could curl in on himself, his front half was lifted. A hand massaged his helm as he was placed into another Seeker's lap.

"You could've crashed," Skywarp said meekly.

"Kinda the idea," Thundercracker mumbled. "Controlled crash."

"That's… not really a thing," Skywarp said.

Thundercracker scrunched his olfactory ridge. "I knew what I was doing. I've done it a lot."

Skywarp paused waz stroking.

"You've spun yourself dizzy a lot on purpose?" Wa asked.

Thundercracker repositioned himself, scooting further onto Skywarp's lap. "Yeah. It feels really good until it doesn't."

A weak wind blew through the clearing.

"It feels 'good'," Skywarp repeated.

"It does!" Thundercracker said.

Was the Winglord right? Was there something wrong with it? With him?

"Is that bad?" Thundercracker asked.

Skywarp pulled him closer.

"No," wa said. "Not bad. Just different. You're different."

Scrap it. He was going to tell wan. Wa had to know. Maybe wa would run away. Maybe wa would be angry. But wa wouldn't hurt him.

"There's a reason for that," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp hummed, stroking his helm again.

"I wasn't raised by Seekers."

Waz hand tensed, claws nearly digging into his helm. As if realizing, wa pulled waz hand away.

"What were you raised by?" Wa asked quietly.

"Autobots," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp shuddered.

"Autobots," she repeated. "So they did kill your flock."

Thundercracker opened his optics, daring to look up at wan. Wa stared off, waz wings low, with a grimace. As a moment passed in silence, waz words sank in.

Thundercracker hadn't thought about how the Autobots obtained him. At first, he hadn't even known he was different from them. But it made too much sense. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe liked to brag about the Seekers they'd killed or injured. Every mission was undertaken with the aim of eradicating the Seekers.

Every Seeker he spoke to framed flocklessness as a death sentence. They pitied him for claiming to have no prior flock. Seekers were organized in trines. They were never alone.

So how else would the Autobots obtain a lone seekerling, if they hadn't killed his birth flock?

"I guess so," he said, voice weaker than intended.

He hadn't known any of them. He didn't know if he wanted to. Thundercracker had always known Prowl adopted him—that wasn't a secret. He had long accepted that his sire and dam were dead.

But a whole flock?

Would he be 'normal' if they had raised him? Would he have known how to build nests? Would one of them have taught him what a trine was, and the different roles within one? Would they have taught him how to hunt? If they had raised him, would he still be himself?

Thundercracker didn't know. Maybe it was best he didn't.

"If—" Skywarp's voice cracked. "If you spin around again, let me catch you, okay? I don't want you to get hurt."

"Okay."

Thundercracker was just finishing a meal with Skywarp and Blast when the bellow echoed through the valley. Every Seeker froze, immediately dropping whatever they were doing to gather at the base of the hill. Skywarp grabbed both of them and suddenly, they were at the base of the hill as well.

The two wrestling Seekers from before sat together, practically intertwined. Dirge's trine lurked at the edge of the crowd. A lone Seeker pushed their way in, but quickly backed off as a Seeker from a trine hissed at them.

"Who's that?" Thundercracker whispered, pointing to the lone Seeker.

The lone Seeker was white and navy blue with red accents. They lingered at the edge of the crowd, still trying to push in whenever they could, but always meeting resistance.

"Nacelle," Skywarp said. "Ka is untrined, if that's what you're wondering."

It wasn't what he was thinking about at all, but that explained why ka was alone. Thundercracker continued to search the gathering crowd. All of the familiar faces were here, except…

"Where's Starscream?" Thundercracker asked.

He hadn't seen Starscream since Sunstorm gave him that checkup.

Skywarp shrugged. "Don't know. But he'll show up once Winglord Megatron starts talking."

Speaking of… the Winglord's optics scanned the crowd. When ka was satisfied, ka raised kas wings. Ka stepped forward.

"A band of Autobots was discovered traveling through the crystal hills," the Winglord said. The crowd hissed. Ka waited for them to quiet before continuing. "It is a large group. To drive them off will require the efforts of every able Seeker."

The tingling fear from Skywarp's direction wasn't completely unexpected, but the sharp anxiety from Blast's was. Thundercracker glanced at Blast. Nas wings were low, a grimace on nas face.

"You're gravid," Thundercracker whispered.

Blast shook nas helm. "That doesn't matter."

Thundercracker had never met a carrying mech before Blast. There wasn't much space for raising newsparks on a military base, aside from himself. But he'd learned enough from stories and casual talk to know that newsparks were fragile.

If Blast fought and was injured, na could lose the newspark. An attack to the cockpit could damage the developing frame. If the glass was shattered, the newspark would only have its shell to protect it.

The Winglord had to know that. So why would ka force Blast to fight? Did ka not care?

The sky screamed, startling Thundercracker from his thoughts. A streak of magenta barreled toward them. The Winglord turned, but it was already too late. The magenta streak slammed into ka, unfolding into a Seeker.

"The crystal hills aren't worth the hassle!" Starscream shouted. "They barely have any suitable prey! It's just as easy to send them a warning. Then those dirtkissers will be on their way!"

Megatron pushed off the ground. Starscream fell backward with a yelp. Mid-motion, Megatron grabbed kan and flung kan. The crowd parted. Skywarp dragged Thundercracker to the side.

The Winglord stalked toward Starscream, who hissed as kaz rose.

"If we let them go, then more will come," Megatron growled.

Starscream shook kas helm. Ka took a step back, pulling at the edges of kas wings. Slowly, swords unsheathed from them, shining in the light. The Winglord bared kas dentae.

"Let them!" Starscream hissed. "The crystal hills are barely worth defending."

Ka swung kas sword. The Winglord blocked it with kas arm. The blade ground against it, but as Starscream withdrew it and swung again, no mark was left on the Winglord's plating. Thundercracker knew the Winglord was large and powerful, but how thick was kas plating to take a direct hit from a sword without a scratch?

The Winglord kicked Starscream in the cockpit, grabbing one of kas swords as ka was sent sailing backward. Ka threw the sword away. Starscream dug kas pedes into the ground to stop kas sliding, striking back. Megatron grabbed the remaining sword, throwing it away as well.

Starscream's wings lowered, a sting of fear traveling through the hill. Then, ka leaped and took off, transforming. The Winglord followed, chasing ka through the sky. They weaved, taking shots at one another with their rays. Starscream sailed ahead of Megatron, outmaneuvering kan, but every shot ka took bounced off of the Winglord's plating.

The Winglord flew over Starscream, transforming midair and landing on kaz. Starscream transformed in response. The two grappled, clawing and biting, as they descended. Starscream shrieked as Megatron bit down hard on one of kas arms just before they reached the ground, the pain stunning ka enough for the Winglord to pin kan.

"Yield," the Winglord growled.

Starscream hissed, then threw kas helm forward, spitting in the Winglord's face. The Winglord shook kas helm and growled, slamming Starscream against the ground. Starscream yelped.

"That trick won't work on me again," the Winglord said. "Yield."

"Never!" Starscream hissed.

Megatron adjusted kas grip, pinning one of Starscream's arms with kas elbow as ka gripped Starscream's helm. With kas other hand, ka grabbed Starscream's injured arm. Ka tightened kas grip, the metal creaking beneath it.

"You can't hurt me!" Starscream said, fear leaking into the air. "You need me to fight!"

The plating gave with a crunch. Starscream howled.

"It doesn't matter to me if a pathetic traitor whose systems don't function dies in battle," Megatron said.

Starscream writhed. Ka whimpered, the air saturated with pain and fear.

"I yield!" Ka cried. "I yield!"

"Good," the Winglord said, rising. Ka laid kas pede on Starscream's cockpit, preventing the other Seeker from getting up.

The Winglord turned toward the crowd, kas optics roving over them. As kas optics fell over each member, they lowered their helms. Satisfied, ka stomped kas pede, eliciting a squeak from Starscream as it slammed against kas chest.

"I expected everyone to be prepared for departure by sunset," the Winglord said. "This meeting is dismissed."

Finally, ka released Starscream. The Winglord returned to kas trinemates, heading back toward their burrow. Starscream rolled over, attempting to rise, but collapsed with a pained cry as ka placed weight on kas injured arm.

The crowd dissipated, slowly going back to whatever it was they were doing before. Blast and Skywarp turned away, but Thundercracker couldn't. The pain in the air tugged at his spark. He took a step toward Starscream.

A hand closed around his arm, tugging him backward.

"C'mon," Skywarp said.

Thundrcracker inclined his helm toward Starscream. Skywarp followed his gaze. Waz wings fluttered, waz optics going wide. Wa tugged him again, but he remained in place.

"Nope," wa said. "Not Starscream. That Seeker is mad in both senses of the word—insane and angry!"

"Starscream is hurt," Thundercracker said.

Ka was also the only mech so far that had challenged Megatron. If Thundercracker had to take Megatron down to accomplish his mission, it would be best to have Starscream on his side. Or else, he might risk the same thing happening to him—from either end of the confrontation.

"Ka is going to swat you," Skywarp said. "Maybe even bite you. Let's not get hurt so close to a battle—"

Thundercracker ignored wan, shrugging wan off and taking steady steps toward the hurt Seeker. Up close, it was easy to notice the trembling of Starscream's wings. Ka tried to rise again, muffling another cry.

Thundercracker crouched down, offering his hand palm up. He ducked his helm and turned it to the side, watching the other Seeker from the corner of his vision.

"Hey," he said. "I can help."

Starscream stiffened. Kas wings rose. Raw, burning shame scorched the air. A whoosh reached Thundercracker's audials, and he backed away just in time to avoid a swat.

Starscream crouched, still shaking. Kas dentae were bared, kas claws on display. Ka balanced precariously on kas uninjured arm, having used the other to attack. The plating of the injured arm was crushed at the midpoint of the wrist and elbow, energeon weeping steadily from it.

"I don't need whatever pathetic scraps you're going to offer me!" Starscream spat, finally pushing kaz up. Ka backed away, wings twitching, a grimace momentarily passing over kas face, then took off.

Despite being swiped at, Thundercracker wasn't angry. The pain and shame in the air before Starscream departed made the true motive of the Seeker's harsh actions clear. Thundercracker had never been injured like that before, but he knew it had to hurt. The pain patches in his storage space grew a lot heavier.

Belatedly, he realized his expected spark pain never came. Did that make it worse to keep them to himself when others needed them?

Sunstorm seemed to know how to make medicines, but would what na offered be as potent? Would Starscream even ask for it, considering how much ka seemed to dislike the other Seeker? The thought of Starscream hiding somewhere, alone and ashamed and in pain, about to endure a battle with kas injury, pulled at Thundercracker's spark.

But he couldn't fly after kan, because Starscream was already gone. So, Thundercracker turned away, rejoining Blast and Skywarp. They settled in a small dip in the ground. Skywarp took Thundercracker's hands in waz, examining them.

"Ka didn't get you," wa said, tone dripping with relief.

"What was that?" Thundercracker asked.

"A challenge," Blast said. "Starscream has wanted to lead this flock since ka could speak, but ka will never be able to defeat Megatron."

"Why not?"

Blast closed nas optics and sighed. "Ka is a fading spark. The medicine keeps kan alive, but only that. Most of us expect kas spark to give out one cycle."

"What's wrong with kan?" Thundercracker asked.

Blast gave a small laugh.

"If we knew that, we wouldn't be gossiping," na said. "When ka hatched, Starscream was just like any other seekerling. But after ka weaned, ka grew weak. No matter how much ka fueled, ka wouldn't grow. Winglord Red Wing tried everything na could, and that's when they found the medicine. But ka has never been as strong as kas peers."

Red Wing… that must have been the previous Winglord. But what did na have to do with Starscream?

"Red Wing?" Thundercracker said.

Blast flicked nas wing. "Winglord Red Wing. The dead don't lose their titles. Na was Starscream's dam."

Kas dam… Starscream was the creation of the previous Winglord. Megatron didn't kill during challenges. Skywarp said so. Yet, Winglord Red Wing was dead. Had ka killed nam for the position? Was that why Starscream kept challenging Megatron?

If someone had killed Prowl, Thundercracker wouldn't hesitate. Just the thought made him dig his claws into the grass.

"Why didn't anyone else help kan?" Thundercracker asked.

He was the only mech who approached. Skywarp had actively tried to discourage him.

"Ka is an ungrateful scrapheap," Skywarp said, waz voice growing sharp. "But the real reason is that ka brought it on kaz by challenging Winglord Megatron."

Thundercracker could understand Megatron defending kaz. But to keep Starscream pinned after ka had defeated him? To stomp on kas chest after ka had already yielded? Did Starscream really deserve that?

"It just seems excessive," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp's wings twitched. Blast sighed.

"The Winglord has done worse," Blast said. "Starscream still tries."

!!!

Sunset was only a couple of breems away. Starscream didn't return. No one searched for kan. Ka was missing before that. Was that typical for kan? To disappear for cycles only to reappear to battle the Winglord?

Thundercracker ran his claws down his cockpit. They caught on the crack still at the center of it. He traced the crack.

Starscream would need those pain patches. After the battle, others may as well.

Thundercracker stood. Skywarp had, for once in a rare moment, left him alone in the nest. Wa was out collecting more leaves and other items to line the nest, which Thundercracker had suggested. If they came back with injuries, they would want extra padding.

Checking the area before exiting, Thundercracker emerged from the burrow and headed toward Sunstorm's. He paused before the entrance, checking for the presence of others. The entrance to the burrow was longer than others, so it was difficult to detect anything. But at the very least, Thundercracker thought Sunstorm was alone.

It wasn't that he was afraid of Bitstream and Hotlink. He just would prefer speaking to Sunstorm without them there. If Sunstorm recognized the pain patches at all, na would know where they came from, and may be able to put the pieces together. With how deeply na hated Autobots, Thundercracker didn't want to know how na would react.

Luckily, Sunstorm was alone. Na was busy arranging clumps of leaves on the floor, lining them with grass and sticks. Seems Thundercracker wasn't the only Seeker to contemplate extra padding for their nest.

"Hi," Thundercracker said quietly.

Sunstorm looked up, nas wings lifting.

"Hello," na said. "I sure hope you haven't already gotten injured. The battle hasn't begun."

Thundercracker shook his helm. "I have something that might be useful."

Sunstorm tilted nas helm. Thundercracker took a the brief silence to open his cockpit, pulling out the pain patches. He kept a few for himself—just in case. He didn't know when he or Skywarp might need them.

"I usually get spark pains around this time of the vorn," Thundercracker said, offering Sunstorm the pain patches. As na took them, he continued. "But I haven't gotten them yet. I figured these would be more useful in your hands."

Sunstorm hummed. Na examined one of the patches, squinting at the lettering on the side that declared the patch's potency and type.

"Sparkbreak," Sunstorm said.

"Huh?"

Sunstorm continued examining the patch. "Sparkbreak. That's what those pains are. It happens to lone Seekers. Their frames punish them for not having a flock. Had you been outdoors, your calls would have let us find you."

If he had been outside…? Thundercracker stiffened. Had Sunstorm put the pieces together that quickly?

Na placed the patches in a carved out section of the wall. Then, na shook nas helm. The air hummed with fury.

"The Autobots are so cruel," Sunstorm hissed. "Stealing seekerlings and depriving them of the company they need to survive."

The Winglord said Thundercracker wasn't the only captive raised Seeker in the flock. Sunstorm just implied the same. Thundercracker hesitated. In his spark, he wanted to defend the mecha that raised him. They never meant to hurt him! They just… didn't know.

"So, since I have a flock now, it won't happen again?" Thundercracker asked.

"Not unless you leave," Sunstorm said.

Na came closer, nas claws reaching out. Thundercracker leaned away.

"Please allow me to check on the damage to your cockpit," Sunstorm said sweetly.

Thundercracker forced his plating to lie flat. Sunstorm's claws ran gently over the crack.

"It's healing beautifully," Sunstorm said. "It may be gone by the end of the next decacycle, if this keeps up. You said you typically felt sparkbreak around this time?"

Thundercracker nodded.

"The damage to your cockpit likely delayed it," Sunstorm said. "Damage to the glass pauses the cycle."

Thundercracker scrunched his olfactory ridge. "Cycle? What cycle?"

"Your frame's natural cycle," Sunstorm said. "Sparkbreak and Data Hunger are the two sides of it. You're an untrined Spark, so it'll hit you hard."

Data Hunger… that would be why Thundercracker never experienced it, and why the spark pain always came around the same time. But what was he supposed to do? He barely understood what Data Hunger constituted, let alone how to deal with it!

Before he could ask, the two Seekers were interrupted by pedesteps. A loud thump sounded as Thundercracker turned around. The backs of pale gray wings flicked irritatedly, framed by magenta plating.

"Sibling!" Sunstorm cried, but Starscream was already out of the burrow. Sunstorm shook nas helm and sighed, turning back toward Thundercracker. "Can you catch him, please? You're very strong, and it needs to be someone he can't get away from. Otherwise he won't come at all before we leave."

Thundercracker forced himself not to preen at the compliment. He was strong. But, more importantly, Starscream was fast. If he wanted to have any chance at catching the other mech, he'd have to do it before he took off. Thundercracker nodded and exited the burrow.

He launched himself just as Starscream leaped, wrapping his arms around the other Seeker's waist. Starscream stifled a cry, going completely limp in his arms. Thundercracker turned back toward the burrow. Suddenly, Starscream squirmed, kicking against Thundercracker.

"Unhand me!" Ka hissed.

Gently, Thundercracker forced kan back into the entrance. Ka turned back, baring kas dentae.

"I see how it is," ka grumbled, heading back through the entrance.

Thundercracker followed kan the whole way, settling in front of the exit. With an irritated growl, Starscream sat in front of Sunstorm. Slowly, Sunstorm reached for Starscream's injured arm. Kas wings tensed, a quiet growl escaping from kan, but ka allowed Sunstorm to take it.

Sunstorm turned the arm, examining it. Na ran nas claws around the injury, pausing as Starscream snapped kas teeth at nam when na got too close to the injury. Na glared at kan. Kas wings lowered.

"It's fine," ka said. "I'm fine. Stop touching it."

"Your tolerance for pain is unrivaled, sibling," Sunstorm said calmly. "Please let me put a brace on it, at least."

Starscream let out a drawn out hiss and rolled kas optics. Ka held out kas arm, leaning kas helm back as Sunstorm reached for supplies. Na took a piece of bark, breaking it gently at various points, then wrapped it around Starscream's injury, tying it in place with a rope woven of flattened plant stalks.

Starscream withdrew kas arm, snapping it back with force. Ka poorly disguised a flinch, kas wings twitching.

"There," ka said. "Are we done now?"

Sunstorm shook nas helm. "No. I want to check your systems."

Starscream glanced at Thundercracker. Thundercracker lowered his wings. With another long hiss, Starscream turned back toward Sunstorm.

"Now?" Ka said, voice growing higher in pitch.

"When else will I catch you?" Sunstorm said. "You don't come unless it's to get your medicine, and I can't check it if you've already run out."

Starscream growled. Ka shook kaz, plating ruffling and unruffling.

"Fine," ka said. "Not like the dirtball over there hasn't seen enough already."

Thundercracker bristled. Dirtball? How dare he! Just because he was raised by Autobots…

Sunstorm reached forward, placing nas palms on Starscream's midsection. Starscream dug kas claws into the ground as Sunstorm felt the delicate area. The surge of discomfort in the air made Thundercracker's plating tingle.

Maybe he shouldn't be watching this. Ratchet always made sure his patients had privacy. He would never have allowed Thundercracker to sit in on an appointment like this at home, especially if his patient didn't seem to want it. But curiosity won. Thundercracker wanted to know, especially since no other Seeker in the flock did.

"There's some distension," Sunstorm mumbled. "You might need to start taking more."

"I could've told you that!" Starscream hissed. "But you insist on putting your claws all over me anyway. You don't make enough of the powder for me to take more!"

"You're a skilled hunter," Sunstorm said. "Between you and my trinemates, I'm certain we can get enough."

Starscream scooted backward, flaring kas wings.

"I already spend most of my day hunting! I don't even get to eat half of it!" He spat.

Whatever this medicine was, they needed something from mechanimals to make it. If they didn't have enough, Starscream couldn't eat. Suddenly, his complete disappearance made a lot more sense. He wasn't hiding away—he was hunting.

"I can help!" Thundercracker said before he could stop himself.

Starscream's wings shot up. Both Seekers turned toward him. Sunstorm smiled.

"That would be immensely appreciated," na said.

Starscream hissed. "I don't want help from a dirtball!"

Sunstorm reached up, striking Starscream gently on the top of the helm. Starscream went still, blinking. Then, kas wings lowered, shame burning the air. But as quickly as the shame appeared, it was swallowed by anger. Starscream swiped at the air in front of Sunstorm as the other Seeker jumped back.

With a hiss, Starscream rose, heading toward the exit. Ka shoved Thundercracker out of the way and launched himself through the exit. Before Thundercracker could follow, the roar of a jet engine reached his audials. Starscream had already taken off.

Although Thundercracker was insulted, he shook that off. Starscream's life was more important than his feelings. Besides, this could be the opportunity he needed. If helping Blast made the Seeker more friendly to him, surely the same would work for Starscream?

Thundercracker flicked his wing. Based on how Starscream treated Sunstorm, it didn't seem all that likely, but he didn't have a lot of other ideas. He needed Starscream on his side. Neither of them could take out the Winglord on their own.

Thundercracker turned toward Sunstorm. Nas wings were low, a grimace on nas face.

"What do you need?" Thundercracker asked.

"Just the solvent tank," Sunstorm said. "Preferably intact, and only from mechanimals that eat other mechanimals. I use its contents to make the powder."

"You don't need the rest?"

It was such a small organ, and it contained so little.

"You can keep the rest," Sunstorm said. "That's all I need."

Skywarp didn't like the solvent tank anyway. It usually ended up discarded if Blast didn't take it. Giving it to Sunstorm would be easy. But why only the solvent tank? Why did Sunstorm need the solvents to make Starscream's medicine?

"Blast told me Starscream was a fading spark," Thundercracker said. He paused as Sunstorm stiffened, but curiosity tempted him. "What does that mean?"

"Sparklings that fail to thrive are called that," Sunstorm said. Nas voice was quiet. Na drew in on naz, wings moving to cover naz. "Whether they are born weak or grow weak. Their sparks fade before they can be saved. But Starscream isn't a fading spark—ka is a survivor. Against all odds, ka lives."

A survivor… it lined up with what Blast said, but didn't give him any new information. Starscream was sick as a seekerling and needed medicine. He still wasn't any closer to knowing why. But maybe he didn't need to know.

"He is," Thundercracker said. "I want to talk to kan, but ka is always gone."

Sunstorm hummed. "Ka always hides away, even when ka isn't hunting. I've never been able to find kan when ka leaves. But being alone isn't good for a Seeker. I've tried to get kan to stay. Ka always refuses."

"How can I talk to him, then?" Thundercracker asked.

Sunstorm flicked nas wings and leaned forward. "Ka is untrined. Ka has already rejected kas other options. But I know ka has to be lonely."

Thundercracker stopped himself from bringing a hand to his chestplates. He knew too well what loneliness did to a Seeker. Why did Starscream not only stand it, but seem to prefer it?

Starscream had swiped at him when he came close. Ka called him a dirtball and tried to refuse his help. But beneath the bluster was fear and shame so potent Thundercracker didn't have to search to feel it.

'Words are empty. Actions and instincts talk more than they ever could.'

When Thundercracker invited Skywarp into his burrow after accepting the stone, it felt right. He was never told that was what he was supposed to do. He just did it. It was instinct. Was that the key? Could he get past Starscream's sharp exterior by taking advantage of his instincts?

Sunstorm said Starscream was untrined. If Thundercracker courted Starscream and was accepted, Starscream would have to be around him. Then, they could talk and plan all he wanted. And, though Thundercracker didn't want to admit it, some part of his spark wanted to soothe the other Seeker. But he pushed that part away.

"I can try," Thundercracker said.

!!!

Sunset was approaching. It was mere moments before they would depart. The rest of the flock was already loosely gathered in the valley, occasionally glancing at the Winglord's burrow. Luckily for Thundercracker, Skywarp was napping beside Blast. Wa couldn't stop him from doing this.

He slipped out of Skywarp's gentle grip and ascended the hill, spark spinning faster in his chest. His plating snapped tight, stinging with the force. But if there was any chance, he had to see it through.

The Winglord's optics already glared at him from the edge of the burrow. Thundercracker knelt and lowered his helm. His wings shook as he lowered them as well.

"W-Winglord," he stammered. "I want to speak with you."

Slowly, the Winglord emerged from his burrow. The sun shone behind kan, casting a shadow over Thundercracker's frame.

"Go on," the Winglord said.

"You said every able Seeker," Thundercracker said. "Does that include Blast?"

The Winglord grunted. "It does."

Thundercracker's wings flicked. He forced himself not to look up.

"B-Blast is gravid!" Thundercracker said. "If na fights, the newspark might—"

"But na can fight," the Winglord said. "So na will."

Before he could stop it, Thundercracker's plating flared. He dug his claws into the dirt, fighting not to bare his dentae.

"Na is gravid!" Thundercracker hissed, throwing his helm upward. "Na already lost one newspark. If na fights, na might—"

Thundercracker was thrown sideways as claws scored across his cheek. As he laid in the grass, stunned, hot energeon dripped down his chin. The Winglord had just hit him, and he hadn't even challenged kan.

Anger rose above reason. Before Thundercracker could think better of it, he stood, wings flared, and faced the Winglord. He bared his dentae.

"You don't care, do you?" Thundercracker spat. "Blast could lose nas newspark and you wouldn't care at all. What kind of leadership is that?"

The Winglord growled. Thundercracker growled back. Then, the Winglord pounced, bringing a fist to Thundercracker's chest. A crack reached his audials as Thundercracker staggered backward, his chestplates stinging. Before he could recover, he was already on the ground cockpit-first.

A weak, pained squeak escaped him before he could stop it. Pedes pressed into his back between his wings, grinding his cockpit into the dirt. Claws wrapped around one of his wrists, picking at the paneling of his wrist port. Then, the claws wrapped around it fully as his arm was pulled backward. The joint groaned as it was pulled in an unnatural direction, a jolt of pain passing through it.

"Yield," the Winglord growled.

Thundercracker dug the claws of his free hand into the dirt. "I wasn't challenging you!"

"Yield!" The Winglord barked.

Thundercracker went limp. That must have been answer enough for the Winglord, as the massive Seeker stepped off of him. Thundercracker kept his gaze averted as he pushed himself onto his knees. Anger simmered beneath his plating. This wasn't supposed to be a challenge—it was supposed to be a discussion!

But the Winglord didn't care about that. Any questioning of kas actions constituted a challenge. If Thundercracker were back with the Autobots, this wouldn't have happened. They would've discussed the issue. Maybe not calmly, but it wouldn't have risen to violence. He would've been heard.

"Blast can have all of the seekerlings na wants when every last Autobot is dead," the Winglord said.

But that newspark wasn't just any newspark. It was the only thing Blast had left of nas trinemates. Did Megatron even know that? Did ka even care? The answer was no. Thundercracker hadn't seen kan speak to anyone but kas own trinemates. Ka didn't even interact with the Seekers ka ruled unless it was to assert kas authority.

When Thundercracker first arrived, he held some hope that this could be resolved peacefully. Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't have to kill the Winglord to bring peace. But proof was piling before him that this wouldn't be the case.

To protect both the mecha that raised him and this flock, Winglord Megatron had to be removed. There was no other option.

Autobots were much smaller from afar. After a handful of decacycles with the Seekers, Thundercracker had grown used to being around mecha his size. One of the Autobots looked up, their optics going wide. Soon, shots followed as other Autobots emerged from the temporary encampment.

Thundercracker rolled to dodge them. Skywarp rolled with him. Others around them fired back, some breaking formation to slam themselves into the Autobots below. Thundercracker fired at the nearest tent, his spark twinging as it caught aflame and a group of Autobots fled from it.

Not all of them were soldiers. Many were unarmed. Just what were they doing here? Why were they traveling through Seeker territory?

Behind him, Blast peeled off. Na crashed into a particularly large Autobot, wrestling with him. Concern swirled in Thundercracker's spark, knowing how delicate newsparks were, but he continued to fly. His processor drifted.

How were his Autobots? Did Bulkhead finish that painting? Did Sunstreaker and Sideswipe finally beat the level they were stuck on? Did Prowl miss him?

He blasted another tent. A shot seared the edge of his wing, but he was able to right himself. Skywarp drew closer. Thundercracker flew lower. There were only a couple of tents left, and those were soon to go up in flames as well. He was proven correct a few moments later.

With all of the tents aflame, the Autobots had two options: flee or die. The Seekers were brutal, shooting down those who fled with glee. Ramjet launched waz at one of the fleeing Autobots, slamming them down and biting into them like prey. Thundercracker shuddered.

How many of his Autobots went out like that? How many sparklinghood friends that never came home were chased down and slaughtered like petrorabbits? But as a shot rang out and a Seeker spun to the ground never to rise, another question rose in his processor: were the Seekers treating the Autobots any differently than the Autobots treated them?

These Autobots may not have all been combatants, but enough of them carried weapons. How many of the mecha brandishing weapons had raided Seeker camps? How many had killed entire flocks, just like they had done to Skywarp? If it had been them instead of Prowl on the field after a battle, would Thundercracker have lived?

Thundercracker descended, landing on his pedes with a heavy thud. The Autobot before him readied his blaster. In one quick stride, Thundercracker grabbed it and crushed it. He gripped the Autobot's wrist, preventing him from fleeing.

The Autobot, although small, had thick plating. It was a striking red with white and dark blue accents. His optics—an icy blue—stared straight into Thundercracker's as he bared his dentae, his audial fins standing on high alert.

Thundercracker opened his mouth and spoke. "Why are you here?"

The Autobot's mouth fell open. His optics went wide.

"You can speak?" He said.

"Yes," Thundercracker said. "Please answer me."

"You can speak," the Autobot said again.

Thundercracker forced himself not to growl. Skywarp or one of the other Seekers would be here at any moment, and the first thing they would do was kill the Autobot. If he wanted to get any information out of him, the Autobot had to get over it.

"Yes!" Thundercracker said. "Why are you here?"

"You—Seekers—destroyed our town!" The Autobot said. "We were told to follow this route to reach the nearest base."

"Straight through Seeker territory?" Thundercracker said.

The Autobot's audial fins lowered. He scowled.

"Everywhere is Seeker territory, according to your kind," he said. "A mech walks two paces and they find themself with claws at their neck."

Thundercracker couldn't disprove the statement, but he had managed to go vorns taking weekly flights without encountering a single Seeker, so he doubted it. He flicked his wings. The Autobot's optics were drawn to them, but no recognition crossed his face. Why had he expected the Autobot to know what that meant? When had he realized his wing flicks had meaning in the first place?

The roar of a jet engine reached his audials. It wound down as Skywarp landed, waz pedes thudding onto the ground.

"What are you doing?" Wa said, fear coating the air. "You're standing right in the middle of—"

Wa jerked forward with a cry. The stench of melting metal hung in the air, the rang of shed energeon quickly joining it. Skywarp fell forward. Behind wan stood an Autobot, her golden plating gleaming in the sunlight. The edge of the blaster in her hands exuded smoke, still glowing from being fired.

Skywarp wasn't moving. Energeon seeped from a hole in waz back. The Autobot aimed her blaster. The other one jerked in his grip.

Thundercracker couldn't… Skywarp was… but the Autobots…

The only thought in his processor was that his rays would charge faster than her blaster. He raised them and fired. They hit their mark.

A shot straight to the spark chamber. Instant death. It was mercy. The other Autobot screamed. Thundercracker's audials rang. It was mercy. It had to be mercy.

He shoved the other Autobot away. The Autobot staggered backward, still screaming. Thundercracker could only hear the ringing.

"Go!" Thundercracker shouted. "They won't stop until you're all dead! There's no point in staying."

The Autobot ran. Thundercracker didn't watch him leave. It didn't matter where he went. There was only one thing on his mind.

Thundercracker knelt before Skywarp. He gathered wan in his arms, pulling wan into his lap. Wa groaned. Thundercracker's wings rose, relief flooding his spark. Wa was alive. He buried his face in waz neck.

"Skywarp," he whispered.

Wa stirred, hissing quietly as waz shoulders flexed, irritating the wound. Thundercracker pulled wan closer. Waz spark hummed beside his.

"What do I do?"

He didn't know whether he was asking wan or himself. Either way, no answer came. The ringing faded along with the sounds of battle, leaving only the pedesteps and mutters of the other Seekers. The Autobots were gone.

A set of pedesteps grew closer. Thundercracker flared his plating with a growl. The pedesteps stopped.

"I'm not going to hurt you!" The Seeker before him said.

Thundercracker glanced upward. Nacelle held kas wings low. Kas palms were out in a gesture that was steadily becoming familiar. Thundercracker bared his dentae.

"What do you want?" He hissed.

Nacelle took a step back and knelt.

"You need to cauterize waz wound to stop the bleeding," ka said. "Use your thrusters on the severed fuel lines. Or I could do it. I have better reach than you do right now."

Thundercracker's grip tightened around Skywarp. He didn't want to let anyone near wan. But the wound was too big to seal itself, or it would have already. Thundercracker shook his helm and motioned for Nacelle to approach.

The other Seeker scooted closer. Then, ka powered on kas thrusters. With precision, ka pinched each of the severed lines and led the tip of them into the flame. Skywarp chirped, a tinge of pain spreading into the air. Thundercracker stroked the edge of waz wing.

Nacelle backed away.

"That's all I could find," ka said. Ka smiled. "Y'know, normally Sparks already know this stuff."

And normally, Seekers were raised within flocks. Thundercracker was far from normal. Irritation prickled at his plating.

Nacelle fluttered kas wings and trilled anxiously. "Not that it's bad, or anything like that. I just figured you looked like you needed help, and I could provide! So, uh…"

Nacelle opened kas cockpit, digging around in kas storage space. Ka pulled out a small piece of metal. The edges of it were melted, loosely formed into the shape of a petrorabbit. Ka held it in kas palm, offering it to Thundercracker.

Oh. The dots connected. Nacelle was untrined. Thundercracker and Skywarp were a couplet. Ka didn't want to help them, ka wanted to trine them.

"No," Thundercracker said.

Nacelle withdrew the gift. Kas optics widened.

"No?" Ka repeated. "No to the gift, or no to me? You're not exactly giving a clear signal here—"

"No to all of it!" Thundercracker spat, rattling his wings.

Nacelle sprung up and leaped backward. Ka ruffled kas plating.

"Oh," ka said. "Well, uh. Good luck finding a third. You're going to need it."

Ka leaped into the air and took off. Fury boiled in Thundercracker's fuel lines. What was that supposed to be? Not only did Thundercracker not know Nacelle at all, but the other Seeker tried to court him while Skywarp was hurt! Did ka even care at all, or did ka just see an easy way to impress him?

And it had come up again. Whatever Sparks were supposed to be, Thundercracker wasn't a good one. Despite not understanding it at all, it stung. How was he supposed to play the game if he didn't know the rules?

!!!

Thundercracker laid beside Skywarp, who rested waz chin on waz arms. With waz injury, wa couldn't lay on waz back like usual. Sunstorm had applied gel to the wound and placed a temporary patch over it to protect it. Thundercracker's plating still itched at the thought of being forced to let the other mech into their burrow, but he had no other option.

He nudged Skywarp. Wa stirred with a sleepy trill.

"Do you need fuel?" Thundercracker asked.

Skywarp squinted up at him. "Fuel?"

"Food," he corrected.

"Oh!" Skywarp said, pushing waz onto waz elbows. Wa hissed as the action pulled at waz injury. "Yeah. I could use some."

Thundercracker supported wan as wa sat up. Unable to lean against the wall due to waz injury, wa leaned forward. Thundercracker longed to stay beside wan, holding wan close until the injury healed, but he had to go.

"I'll go hunting," Thundercracker said, heading toward the entrance.

He slipped out of the burrow, taking off quickly to avoid any potential confrontations. The hunt was quick, but it was difficult to haul multiple carcasses at once. They couldn't fit in his cockpit, so he had to sling them over his shoulders and fly back in root mode.

He laid the first before Blast. The older Seeker fluttered nas wings. Thundercracker turned away, not wanting to draw attention, but the sound of tearing plating told him that Blast was already making quick work of his prey. Thundercracker went back into his burrow.

Skywarp was still sitting when he entered. Waz wings raised as wa saw him. He raised his wings back before placing the petrorabbit on the floor. As Skywarp tore into the creature, Thundercracker's fuel gauge complained, but he paid it no mind. It was more important that Blast and Skywarp got their shares. He could go out and catch another if he had to.

Skywarp moved to take another scute from the petrorabbit and paused.

"Are you gonna have any of this?" Wa asked.

Thundercracker shrugged. Wa stared blankly at him.

"Only if you have anything left," Thundercracker said.

When they hunted together, they shared each kill. If they were still hungry, they would just catch more. But with Skywarp unable to fly—or even transform—until the wound healed, wa couldn't come along. So, if Thundercracker ate, there was no guarantee Skywarp would get enough. He would rather just go out again if he had to.

Skywarp pulled a scute from the petrorabbit and pushed it toward him.

"Take it," wa said. "You need to eat too."

Thundercracker pushed it back toward wan, but wa just pushed it toward him again. With a sigh, Thundercracker took the scute. If he ate slowly, maybe wa wouldn't force him to take more. Wa needed it more than him.

Silence passed between them as they ate. Skywarp attempted to sit up straighter, groaning quietly as the change in position pulled on waz injury. Thundercracker scooted toward wan. Wa leaned on him.

"You're the only one hunting for us right now," Skywarp said quietly. "Do you think it might be time to find a third member?"

Thundercracker couldn't care less. He was doing just fine.

"Who would it be?" He asked.

"Nacelle is nice," Skywarp said.

Thundercracker's plating bristled before he could stop it. "Nacelle?"

"Do you not like kan?" Skywarp said.

"Ka tried to court me while you were injured!" Thundercracker hissed. "Ka came over to help, but only because ka wanted to impress me!"

Skywarp scrunched waz olfactory ridge. "Why else would kan help?"

Why else? Thundercracker stared at Skywarp. Why else?

"Ka isn't related to you," Skywarp said meekly. "And ka isn't your trinemate. So why else would ka help?"

The pieces began sliding into place. Why no one helped Starscream—why no one except Nacelle helped them—why no one helped Blast—why Thrust's trine didn't just ask for the ferrowolf—

It was because that wasn't typical for a Seeker. Sunstorm was an exception, not the rule. But that meant…

"Those first couple of nights," Thundercracker said, bracing himself. "Why did you approach me?"

Anxiety hung on the air. Skywarp's wings lowered.

"I saw Dirge pin you and realized you were probably a Spark," Skywarp said. "You're the only unbonded Spark my age here besides—well… you're the only one. I had to try."

Thundercracker ignored the slip, disbelief growing in his spark. That entire time, Skywarp wasn't being friendly. Wa was just trying to trine him.

Anger rose within Thundercracker, but it was doused by a cold realization: he planned to do the same to Starscream, only in reverse. He wanted to court the Seeker purely to get close to kan. But if kindness indicated intent to court, Starscream would be expecting it, wouldn't ka? Would it be wrong if that was what ka anticipated?

"I want to court Starscream," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp's optics went wide. Waz wings shot upward. Surprise and fear mingled in the air.

"Starscream?" Wa said. "Are you sure?"

"As sure as I can be," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp's wings lowered. Wa slumped. Closing waz optics, wa sighed.

"It's your trine," wa said. "You choose who is in it. And ka is a good hunter…"

"My trine?"

"You're the Spark," Skywarp said, as if it explained anything at all.

"You should have a say, too!" Thundercracker said. "Do you not want to trine Starscream?"

Skywarp clicked. "More like ka doesn't want to trine me."

With that context, waz remarks toward Starscream before made a lot more sense. Sunstorm had said Starscream rejected all of kaz other options. Skywarp must've been one of them.

"Well, if ka trines me, ka will have to," Thundercracker said.

"I guess so," Skywarp said quietly.

The conversation died after that. They continued to eat, with Skywarp insistently pushing food toward Thundercracker whenever he finished a piece. Eventually, the petrorabbit was gone. Skywarp shifted forward, hissing as wa lowered waz back into a laying position.

"Scrap," wa mumbled. "That hurts. I've never actually been shot before."

Thundercracker's spark twinged. It wasn't quite his fault Skywarp was in that Autobot's direct line of fire, but… no, it was. He was too busy talking to that other Autobot to realize he was in danger, and Skywarp was too distracted trying to retrieve him. He opened his cockpit.

The crack from the fight with Dirge and Ramjet was deepened by his spat with Megatron, but luckily, none of the glass was missing. It would heal eventually. But more important was that the pain patches and energeon candies were safe. He considered taking out a pain patch, but they wouldn't do much for raw wounds, and Sunstorm hadn't given any, anyway. Thundercracker had no idea what dose would be safe for Skywarp, as they were made for him, and he was larger than wan.

So, he pulled out the energeon candies instead. Skywarp's wings twitched as he opened the box. Wa turned toward him.

"What's that?" Wa asked.

Thundercracker pulled out one of the candies. He laid it in his palm, then offered it to Skywarp.

"An energeon candy. My…" Thundercracker hesitated. Prowl never liked it when he called him 'creator,' but Prowl wasn't here to stop him. "My creator used to give me these when I was hurt. Try it."

Skywarp took the candy and popped it in waz mouth. Wa hummed.

"This can't be medicine," wa said. "Medicine doesn't taste this good."

"It's not," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp purred, the candy crunching beneath waz dentae. "But it makes me feel better anyway."

!!!

Thundercracker sat beside Blast as the older Seeker ate nas share. He was lucky to have stumbled across an old cybercat that morning. It likely wouldn't have survived much longer even if he hadn't killed it, based on how brittle its plating was. It crunched beneath Blast's dentae with ease.

When Blast finally opened the abdomen, na pulled out the solvent tank and handed it to Thundercracker. As na turned, it gave Thundercracker a good view of the newspark. It was still a bubble, but the outlines of panels had formed. There was color to it now—silver and gold mixed with Blast's black.

"Do you know what you're going to name them?" Thundercracker asked.

"No," Blast said. "I don't want to name them too soon."

"Too soon?"

Blast's gaze fell to the cybercat.

"Don't name a seekerling unless you know they're going to survive," na said.

"Oh," Thundercracker said.

But the newspark was going to live, weren't they? Blast was getting enough fuel now, and na hadn't been forced to fight for orns! Surely, the newspark was healthy!

But Thundercracker didn't voice his thoughts as Blast continued to eat. Since he'd fought with Dirge and Ramjet in the camp, the other two Seekers hadn't tried to steal from him again. So, Thundercracker felt safe enough leaving Blast to finish nas meal alone as he picked up the solvent tank and headed for Sunstorm's burrow.

Sunstorm greeted him warmly, sandwiched between Bitstream and Hotlink. The other two Seekers stirred, glancing at him, but didn't rise. Sunstorm pushed naz to naz knees. Thundercracker offered nam the solvent tank.

"Here," he said.

"What animal?" Sunstorm asked.

"Cybercat."

Sunstorm turned the tank in nas hands. Its contents sloshed. Na smiled.

"Good," na said, handing it back. "Can you put it on the shelf for now?"

Thundercracker nodded. He placed it on the aforementioned shelf. But as he turned toward the exit, Sunstorm spoke again.

"Get some rest!" Na said. "And perhaps some food. Your plating looks a bit dull."

"I'm fine," Thundercracker said.

His fuel gauge was complaining more often than not, but that didn't matter. Skywarp was on the mend, however slowly. Wa wasn't ready to hunt just yet, so it was up to him to hunt for both wan and Blast.

He left the burrow before Sunstorm could speak again.

!!!

Thundercracker was tired. He was willing to admit that. His fuel gauge was low, but he still hadn't caught anything for Blast and Skywarp. They came first. So, he stalked through the forest, listening for the scurry of small mechanimals.

Then, there! He followed the sound. The gleam of plating caught his optics. He pounced. The turborat never saw him coming. It shrieked as he killed it.

Solvent flooded his mouth at the taste of metal beneath his dentae, but he forced himself to withdraw. Turborats were smaller than petrorabbits. It would only be able to feed one of them. He had to catch something else as well. Carefully, he shoved the turborat into his cockpit. The creature could just barely fit.

He continued his hunt, listening again. The pedesteps he heard were louder. They were heading straight for him. A turbofox burst through the surrounding shrubs. Without thinking, Thundercracker pounced and snapped its dorsal strut.

He froze as a growl reached his audials. Slowly, he released the turbofox. A very familiar Seeker glared at him, irritation searing the air.

"That was mine!" Starscream hissed.

Thundercracker growled back on impulse. He was hungry, and so were Skywarp and Blast! But he forced himself to lower his wings.

"I didn't mean to steal from you," Thundercracker said, closing his optics.

"Yet that's exactly what you've just done!" Starscream spat. Kas wings flared behind kan.

Scrap. Thundercracker needed to deescalate this. But a thought crept into the back of his processor: if Starscream wanted to take it back, wouldn't ka have attacked him by now? Either way, he didn't want to make an enemy out of Starscream.

Thundercracker knelt, parting the plating that protected the turbofox's internals. He dug his hand in, searching for the solvent tank. Pulling it out, he presented it to Starscream. The other Seeker's wings shot up, kas optics widening.

"Do you comprehend the significance of what you're doing?" Ka said.

"I do," Thundercracker said.

Kas claws twitched. Ka stepped back with a growl, swinging kas helm. In a quick motion, ka stepped forward, kas claws flying toward Thundercracker's face. Thundercracker flinched.

But the hit never came. Starscream's claws traced the thin scar Megatron's strike had left behind. Then, ka withdrew.

"You're the only other Seeker that has tried to challenge him," Starscream said.

It wasn't intended to be a challenge, but Thundercracker didn't correct kan. Starscream tapped kas pede, optics flicking toward the sky. Then, ka turned away.

"I will trine on my own terms or not at all," ka said.

Ka leaped into the air. Before Thundercracker could attempt to call kan back, ka was already a magenta streak across the sky. Thundercracker sighed. That didn't seem like a rejection, but it definitely wasn't acceptance, either. He would have to ask Skywarp what it meant later.

For now, he had a carcass to haul home. Unlike Starscream, the split in the canopy wasn't large enough for him to fit through. So, he walked, heading for the edge of the forest. Heavy pedesteps reached his audials. He froze.

"Drop the turbofox and no one has to get hurt," a familiar voice said sweetly.

Thundercracker turned, baring his dentae, as Ramjet and Dirge emerged from the surrounding foliage. A large grin split Ramjet's face. Dirge stood beside wan with a scowl.

Thundercracker placed the turbofox on the ground and stood over it. He rattled his wings and hissed. Ramjet laughed.

"The Winglord isn't here to break things up now," wa said, stepping closer.

Thundercracker growled. He summoned the part of his engine that roared. It hummed to life, but quickly sputtered out. Pain bloomed beneath his plating. His spark spun faster as Ramjet continued waz approach, laughing again.

"What's wrong?" Wa said mockingly.

Thundercracker hissed and rattled his wings again, but they were undeterred. Grabbing him by the shoulder, Ramjet swung him out of the way. Claws out, Thundercracker leaped at wan, but was torn away by Dirge.

As Thundercracker clawed and squirmed, Ramjet hoisted the turbofox over waz shoulders. With one final grin, wa took off. Dirge shoved Thundercracker to the ground. By the time he rose to his pedes, both of them were gone.

Thundercracker backed into the forest. He slumped against a nearby tree. Anger rose within him, but it was quashed by a wave of tiredness. He'd just caught it. Now he had to go catch something else.

He was so, so tired.

!!!

As Thundercracker approached with Skywarp leaning against him, something gave him pause. Blast was curled, wings shielding nam from sight. Slowly, Thundercracker deposited the petrorabbits he caught before the older Seeker and settled beside nam.

"Are you okay?" He asked quietly.

Blast moved, uncovering naz just enough to expose nas cockpit to Thundercracker.

"Va is hatching," na whispered. "I wanted you to see."

The little bubble the newspark started off as had grown into something that more vaguely resembled an egg or capsule. A small part of it remained attached to the wall of Blast's storage space, but it was slowly coming undone. The egg rolled as it detached completely.

Then, it began to shift. Bits and pieces of it cracked apart, the substance that held the panels together dissolving. Slowly, a seekerling assembled itself from the shell, covered in a thin layer of fluid. Its optics were closed, it claws dull, and its wings barely recognizable. It peeped quietly.

With a click, Blast's secondary locks disengaged. Na leaned forward as nas cockpit opened. The newspark tumbled out with a surprised squeak. Blast brought it to nas face and nuzzled it, a purr rumbling from nas engine.

Eventually, na pulled away, still purring. A pale pink smear was left across nas face from the newspark's fluids. Thundercracker fought not to cringe. Was Blast not bothered at all?

Na held the seekerling out toward Thundercracker. Thundercracker forced himself to stay still.

"Hold vam," Blast said.

Thundercracker held out his hands. Gently, Blast laid the seekerling in his palms. Va was so small he could've held vam in a single hand. Blind and deaf, va peeped in confusion at the sudden shift.

Shifting vam to one of his palms, Thundercracker used his other hand to rub vas tiny helm. The seekerling kept peeping. Va brought up one of vas hands, pawing at his fingers. Except…

There was no hand. The seekerling's arm ended in a stump. Its other arm stopped at the elbow.

"Huh," Thundercracker said quietly, rubbing the little stump.

Blast's optics widened. Na snatched the seekerling back, ignoring vas surprised squeak. Na felt the malformed arms, nas face falling. The air crackled with despair.

Na held up the seekerling, resting nas claws against vas tiny chestplates. The seekerling peeped. Closing nas optics, na pressed nas claws down. The peeping quickly turned to shrieking.

Thundercracker's spark froze. He reached over and tore the seekerling from Blast's claws. Vas shrieks fell to terrified peeps. Vas thin plating rattled as he pulled vam close to his chest.

"What are you doing?" He hissed.

Blast fought so hard to keep this seekerling alive. Why was na trying to kill vam now?

"Va is… wrong."

Blast's voice was weak and drenched with sorrow. It hung heavy on the air.

"Wrong?" Thundercracker said.

"Vas hands," Blast said. "Vas arms. Va will never be able to fly or hunt…"

Thundercracker stared down at the seekerling. Even if that was true, did that justify killing vam? But even more persistent in his mind was the fact that it wasn't.

"Vas arms will be tucked in when they transform," Thundercracker said. "And va will have teeth."

Thundercracker glanced at Skywarp. Waz wings were low. Waz optics focused only on the seekerling.

"They didn't come out wrong," Thundercracker said. "Just different."

Blast stared at him. Nas optics were distant.

"Do you want this seekerling?" Thundercracker asked.

"I do," Blast said.

"Will you care for vam?" Thundercracker said.

"I will," Blast whispered.

Thundercracker offered the seekerling to Blast. "Then va deserves a chance to live."

Blast took the seekerling and held vam to nas chest.

"You're right."

The seekerling grew quickly. After only a few cycles, vas eyes were already open. Though, va didn't seem able to see much. Vas audials were soon to follow. The little thing was curious, tempted to follow every unfamiliar noise despite barely being able to crawl.

Va spent most of vas time in Blast's cockpit, but in the few moments that Blast couldn't take vam with na—such as hunting—na would leave vam with Thundercracker and Skywarp. Na did it wordlessly. Often, Thundercracker woke to the chirping of a seekerling, the tiny thing clutching his chestplates. This morning was no different.

"Hi," he mumbled, reaching up to pet the seekerling's helm.

The little thing purred. Beside him, Skywarp stirred. Wa lifted waz helm, squinting at the seekerling. Va peeped at wan.

"Oh," Skywarp said sleepily. "Hello, you."

Blast would be back soon enough. In the meantime, it was easiest to stay in. The seekerling was still tiny, vulnerable, and uncoordinated. Thundercracker didn't trust it to be safe out in the open, especially with the distaste Dirge's trine showed for him, Skywarp, and Blast.

Pedesteps made Thundercracker freeze. They were too light to be Blast's. His first impulse was to shove the seekerling into his cockpit, but it was still full of pain patches and energeon candies. So, he pushed the seekerling at Skywarp and rose, fanning out his wings to block the entrance.

Scarlet optics stared back at him. Before him, Starscream knelt, wings high. In kas arms was a turbofox. Thundercracker may have forgotten to ask Skywarp what Starscream's actions meant before, but there was no need for that now. The meaning was clear: ka wanted to be the one doing the courting.

Thundercracker held out his arms. Carefully, Starscream laid the turbofox in them. Thundercracker glanced behind himself. Wings wide and plating flared, Skywarp stared back at him, the seekerling peeping from inside waz cockpit. Thundercracker turned back toward Starscream and dipped his helm.

"Come in," he said, backing away from the entrance.

As he laid the turbofox between him and Skywarp, Starscream entered. Kas optics landed on the seekerling. Va pawed at the glass of Skywarp's cockpit with vas arms. Starscream's olfactory ridge crinkled.

"Blast's seekerling," ka said.

"Yes," Thundercracker said. "Na leaves vam with us sometimes."

"Va has no hands," Starscream said.

Thundercracker flicked his wing. Starscream's optics followed the motion.

"Va was wanted, and that's enough," Thundercracker said.

Starscream glanced back at the seekerling. Kas wings lowered slightly. The air grew heavy, but Thundercracker couldn't put a name to the feeling.

"I suppose so," Starscream said.

After a few moments of quiet, Skywarp released the seekerling. Va crawled up to Starscream with a curious peep. Ka ignored vam as ka tore scutes from the turbofox, handing one to Skywarp and the other to Thundercracker. The seekerling crawled into kas lap, peeping insistently.

When it laid its nubs on kas cockpit, ka finally looked down at vam. Ka frowned and bopped vam gently on the nose. Va flinched back with a hiss, then launched vaz forward, biting kas finger. Starscream snickered.

"You don't even have dentae yet," ka said.

As they finished eating, something caught the corner of Thundercracker's vision. Starscream's wings twitched. He studied them closer. Was that…? It was!

Thundercracker scooped up the seekerling and handed vam back to Skywarp. Skywarp stared back at him, optics wide and confusion in the air, until wa followed Thundercracker's gaze. Then, wa scooted away, pulling the seekerling close.

Thundercracker pounced. With a startled squawk, Starscream fell backward. Ka thrashed for a moment, dentae bared. Thundercracker reached for kas wing. Ka went limp.

With practiced precision, Thundercracker picked at the seams of Starscream's wings. They twitched slightly under his claws, but were forced back into place the moment they moved. Although Thundercracker hadn't cleaned another Seeker's wings before, he had helped Prowl enough times for the motions to be familiar. Skywarp's wings were always clean—almost obsessively so—but before him were wings that probably hadn't been touched in orns.

"Your wings are filthy," Thundercracker said.

Starscream rolled kas optics. "Hard to keep up with when I'm spending every moment of my day hunting to survive."

Thundercracker dug his claws into a particularly deep seam. Starscream flinched. On impulse, Thundercracker nuzzled kan.

"That's going to change," Thundercracker said.

Starscream was his now, and he was going to take care of kan. He paused, surprise rippling through his body at the wave of possessiveness that surged in his processor. But he quickly shook it off and returned to the task at hand. Starscream stayed still as Thundercracker cleaned kan. Ka didn't even attempt to rise until Thundercracker was finished.

Before ka could leave, Thundercracker wrapped an arm around kan, pulling him to the bottom of the nest. Starscream stayed pliant, relaxing beneath Thundercracker as he purred. Skywarp laid down on the other side of them, with the seekerling wriggling vas way on top of Thundercracker.

It was the safest Thundercracker felt since he arrived. He was warm and comfortable. Slowly, the purrs of the other two Seekers lulled him into recharge.

When he woke, both of them were still asleep. The seekerling was as well. Va was stretched out on his cockpit. Absentmindedly, he noted that the glass had finally healed. He poked the seekerling's tiny nose. Va stayed asleep.

Ahead of vam, a pair of optics came into view. Carefully, Blast reached forward, taking the seekerling from Thundercracker's chest and putting vam inside nas cockpit. Nas optics landed on Starscream before drifting back toward Thundercracker. Na smiled.

"Congratulations," na said.

!!!

Thundercracker's plating was crawling. That was the only way to describe it. He fluttered his wings. A ball of energy had gathered inside of him, but he couldn't let it out no matter what he tried. He rolled over, but the change in position did nothing to help.

Skywarp stretched beside him. Wa kicked waz pedes out before swinging into a kneeling position. On the other side of him, Starscream stretched kas wings and shook kas plating.

The two always recharged with him. Starscream was distant, but that was what he expected. It didn't stop him from flying out and dragging the other Seeker back into the burrow if ka was out for too long. As long as Thundercracker had a say, ka would no longer be disappearing for cycles on end. Begrudgingly, Starscream had allowed the fussing.

It settled something in his spark. Unlike when Prowl and his Autobot friends went away, Thundercracker could go find Starscream or Skywarp and drag them back. If they didn't come back to the burrow, he could just go get them. Neither of them protested, despite it interrupting whatever they were doing. Was it another Seeker thing? He hadn't noticed any trines doing it.

Skywarp headed toward the entrance. Wa paused before it, turning back toward the other two occupants of the burrow.

"I'm hungry," wa said. "You guys wanna hunt?"

Thundercracker's fuel gauge was low. He sprung up, an affirmative at the ready, but paused. For once, he wasn't particularly eager to hunt. The ball of energy in his chest tightened into a knot of anxiety.

He fluttered his wings again, willing it and the crawling feeling to go away. Optics burned into his back. He turned, catching Starscream staring at his wings just before ka turned away.

"Uh, sure!" Thundercracker forced out. "Let's go!"

They went together, as they had for the past couple of decacycles. The forest was unusually loud. Thundercracker forced his plating to lie flat, trying not to flinch at every little sound. The knot in his chest only grew tighter.

The turbofox never saw them coming. They had it surrounded before it could even suspect it was being stalked. Everything was going well. Thundercracker fluttered his wings again and ruffled his plating. Claws brushed gently against his arm and he jumped away, a squeak escaping from his vocalizer. The touch burned.

Starscream's optics narrowed, fixed on his wings. Ka kept watching his wings. Why did ka keep watching his wings?

They carried the turbofox to the edge of the forest, but just before they could leave, Starscream paused. Ka threw an arm out. Kas wings flew upward, twitching slightly. Pedesteps reached Thundercracker's audials. He stopped himself from hissing. Not again.

"Give us the turbofox and no one will get hurt."

Thundercracker did hiss then. He whirled toward Ramjet and Dirge, spreading his wings wide. The knot of anxiety in his chest grew hot, morphing into anger. Ramjet laughed. Waz optics landed on Starscream, and wa grinned.

"Oh!" Wa said. "You picked up the little freak. You know ka is too pathetic to defend your trine, don't you?"

Starscream hissed, rattling kas wings. Thundercracker growled. Sure, Starscream was a Claw, and Claws supposedly handled inter-trine conflict, but Thundercracker didn't care. There was nothing stopping him from defending his trine, and if Starscream wanted to help, he wouldn't stop kan.

Ramjet's wings flicked. Waz optics drifted from Thundercracker to Starscream and back. Then, wa shook waz helm and snickered.

"You would be the kind to go nontraditional, wouldn't you?" Ramjet said, leaning toward Starscream. "What kind of trine needs two—"

With a screech, Starscream launched kaz at Ramjet. The other Seeker threw kan. Ka smacked into a tree. Ramjet approached Starscream's fallen form, charging waz rays. The anger in Thundercracker's frame drove him forward. He leaped onto Ramjet, dragging his claws down the other Seeker's wings. Ramjet howled.

Large, forceful claws tore him off Ramjet. Thundercracker kicked as he turned, forcing Dirge to let go. With a growl, he summoned the thing that roared. The ground rippled beneath them. Dirge staggered backward.

Thundercracker turned it off, but kept it at the ready. He didn't need to use it again. Ramjet and Dirge were already fleeing. Pride surged within Thundercracker, but the high quickly crashed. The knot returned to his chest. His plating crawled. He fluttered his wings again.

The urge to go back and hide in the burrow weighed on his processor, growing heavier by the moment. He fluttered his wings again, turning back toward Starscream and Skywarp. Starscream's plating was scuffed and dirty, but Thundercracker could fix that when they got back. Skywarp didn't have a single mark.

"We should go back," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp glanced between Thundercracker and the turbofox. Wa took a step, then paused. Starscream huffed and walked over, hoisting the turbofox into kas arms. Then, ka thrusted the turbofox into Skywarp's chest.

"If you aren't going to fight," ka hissed. "The least you could do is carry our kill."

Skywarp frowned. "Isn't that your job?"

Starscream threw kas helm back and sighed. Then, ka pushed the turbofox into Skywarp's chest again.

"Look at me!" Ka said.

Skywarp stared at kan.

"Oh," wa said, finally taking the turbofox. "But if that's the case, shouldn't Thundercracker, um…?"

"Thundercracker is not carrying the kill!" Starscream hissed.

Thundercracker didn't particularly want to carry it, but he was the largest and strongest of the three Seekers, so it made sense. He did just fine carrying the carcasses when he had to hunt on his own. Was this another trine role thing?

"Why not?" Thundercracker asked.

Starscream's wings twitched under his gaze, flicking up and down as if they were fighting not to lower. The air buzzed.

"You're—well—" Starscream ruffled and unruffled kas plating. "You shouldn't be carrying anything right now."

Thundercracker scrunched his olfactory ridge. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Starscream grimaced. Ka flexed kas claws, the tension in kas frame fading slightly.

"Let's just head back like you wanted to!" Ka said. "It doesn't matter who carries it at this point."

!!!

The moment they settled into the burrow, Skywarp dragging their meal in with them, a burning need emerged from the depths of Thundercracker's processor. The pain patches and box of energeon candies in his cockpit brushed against its walls, and his mind clocked it as wrong. He shuddered and unlatched his cockpit. He removed all of the pain patches and the energeon candies, then buried them beneath the leaves that lined the nest.

The knot of anxiety in his chest abated slightly, but the crawling sensation was still there. He crept back toward the turbofox, fluttering his wings as his plating crawled again. Starscream watched the movement. The air hummed with anticipation.

The three made quick work of their meal. Thundercracker had to stop himself partway through, having eaten much more than what should've been his share despite his fuel gauge not being full. But Starscream shoved another piece at him and he gave in. The moment they finished, he settled into the nest. Starscream and Skywarp laid on either side of him.

Thundercracker pulled them closer, but it still wasn't close enough. He growled quietly, but it came out like a whine. Starscream rolled over and reached up, gently stroking his wing. A purr rumbled from Thundercracker's engine.

Starscream leaned forward, pausing briefly. Thundercracker muffled another whine. He didn't know why, but he needed this. He needed both of them close.

"Stroke nas other wing," Starscream said.

Skywarp scrunched waz olfactory sensor, but did as wa was told. But Thundercracker's processor latched onto something else: nas. There was rarely any need to refer to him in third person while he was present, so he'd managed to escape hearing it. But there it was: nas. They thought he was a Spark.

Was he? He couldn't say he wasn't one. That was what everyone assumed. But they all seemed to understand something he didn't—even beyond all of the expectations. Being called a Spark felt wrong.

Thundercracker sank the rest of the way to the floor, burying his face in his arms. He closed his optics. Starscream and Skywarp continued to stroke and cuddle him. It soothed the anxious knot in his chest, but it didn't go away. He needed something else. They needed to be even closer to him somehow.

"What's going on?" Skywarp whispered.

Thundercracker hummed. He didn't know. But something was definitely happening to him.

"Na is experiencing Data Hunger," Starscream said. "Didn't you see how na was fluttering nas wings earlier?"

Data Hunger… right. Sunstorm said damage to the cockpit glass froze the cycle. The crack in his glass was healed now. He just didn't expect… well, he had no idea what he expected. Why was it so uncomfortable?

"Oh," Skywarp said. "Oh. Then why isn't na flying around?"

Starscream sighed. Thundercracker's optics were still closed, but he was sure Starscream was rolling kas optics.

"Na has us," Starscream said. "Na doesn't need to go find trinemates. Na just needs us to stay close. Na likely won't even want to leave the nest."

Thundercracker searched the Vosian language bank. All of the usual sets popped up—ka for Claws, na for Sparks, and wa for Wings. The only other was va for seekerlings. Thundercracker wasn't a seekerling. Were there really no other options?

"Huh," Skywarp said.

!!!

True to Starscream's words, Thundercracker didn't want to leave the nest. He protested every time Skywarp or Starscream had to leave, and had to be dragged out when his waste tank was full. It was embarrassing, but something in his processor wouldn't let him go. He needed to be in the nest, and he needed Skywarp and Starscream with him.

He was miserable. The knot of anxiety in his chest never went away, and no matter how much the other two Seekers cuddled him, his plating still crawled. He could barely recharge, which left him simultaneously tired and restless. He spent his time fixing small imperfections in the nest he typically didn't care about, having nothing to do but stare at it.

Skywarp nuzzled him. Thundercracker pushed himself into wan, shoving his helm into waz chest. Waz spark hummed in his audials.

"This sucks," he mumbled.

Skywarp shifted, bringing waz arm around Thundercracker's shoulder. "I think I know how to help."

"How?"

Skywarp let out a couple of clicks. "Well… your frame wants to link up, right? I heard that linking up makes it last less time. Tricks your body into thinking it got what it wanted. We've just gotta make sure you don't receive any spark packets."

Aside from the brief moment where Skywarp sent him the Vosian language packet and medical checks, Thundercracker hadn't actually linked up with another mech before. And even then, the kind of linking up done to sate Data Hunger was different. If he agreed to link up, he could kindle, but Skywarp seemed so confident, and he was so uncomfortable…

"Sure," Thundercracker said, rolling onto his side. He offered one of his arms and slid open its panel.

Skywarp unspooled waz cable and plugged in. The alert came through quickly, and Thundercracker accepted the connection, lowering his firewalls. He trusted Skywarp. Data came through, the stream slowly settling the knot in Thundercracker's chest.

"It already feels a lot better," he said quietly.

Skywarp smiled.

Thundercracker was presented with a set of options as Skywarp lowered waz firewalls. One of them was to run a trining protocol, which he ignored. Although the option being available meant it would probably work without Starscream, Thundercracker didn't want to do it without him present. Besides, he had no idea what the program would actually do, and hadn't asked Skywarp beforehand.

That left the other options. But before he could go through them, a notification came through—spark data request sent. As Thundercracker struggled to find the option to cancel the request, Skywarp stiffened beside him.

"Did you—"

Thundercracker cut wan off. "I wasn't trying to!"

Fear stung the air, but it quickly dissipated. Skywarp let out a couple of clicks.

"That's fine," wa said. "It's still compiling the data. Progress is only at one percent, and it's moving really slowly. I can disconnect."

"Okay," Thundercracker said. The idea of disconnecting from Skywarp suddenly seemed very unappealing. The knot retied itself at the thought. "But, uh… can you stay a little longer? You said it's moving slowly, right? So you don't need to disconnect yet."

Skywarp's lips sank into a frown. Waz wings lowered.

"Y-yeah!" Wa said, voice strained. "I guess so. Let me, uh…"

The data stream shifted. Anxiety hummed beneath Thundercracker's plating, but it didn't belong to him. Despite never having another mech in his processor before, the presence was so Skywarp that Thundercracker didn't have to guess. He followed the thread of anxiety, gently reaching for it. As he soothed its jagged edges, Skywarp relaxed against him.

"What're you doing?" Skywarp mumbled.

"I don't know," Thundercracker said. "I could feel you were scared so I followed it."

Skywarp hummed. Waz presence intensified, blanketing his mind. Wa pulled at something. It snapped. Thundercracker went strutless.

"Did I do it?" Skywarp said.

Thundercracker purred. He nuzzled Skywarp. Wa nuzzled him back. Waz presence searched his processor again. Wa poked a particular thread that sent a shudder through his frame. Immediately, Skywarp's presence retreated from the thread.

"Sorry," wa mumbled.

Skywarp searched again, pulling another thread. All of Thundercracker's anxiety and fears melted away as warm bliss flooded his mind. He purred louder. Skywarp caressed his helm. He wanted to tell Skywarp how nice it felt, but the words wouldn't come. So, he settled for pushing himself into wan.

That was how they remained—cuddling, purring, and prodding at each others' minds—until another notification came through: spark data received. Thundercracker read it again. Spark data received. Skywarp stiffened against him, the air flooding with fear. It crept into the corners of his mind, leaking through the connection.

"Scrap!" Skywarp whispered. Wa rolled over, disconnecting waz cable. Waz panel snapped shut with a click. "Scrap!"

Thundercracker just stared. The knot in his chest was gone, but the rest of him was numb. The air stung him, cold and unforgiving. Skywarp's retreat left his mind empty.

Skywarp continued to curse, waz voice raising. Wa dug waz claws into waz helm. Thundercracker crawled to the other side of the nest and curled up, panic rising inside of him. He didn't know what to do.

"Scrap what?"

Starscream's voice drew him from his fear. Skywarp went silent. Scarlet optics blazing, Starscream laid the cybereagle ka caught at the side of the nest.

"What happened?" He said.

Skywarp stammered. Waz wings shook. Thundercracker forced himself to uncurl.

"We linked up," Thundercracker said quietly.

Starscream stared. Kas claws flexed. In a swift motion, ka buried kas face in kas hands and sighed. Ka growled and shook out kas plating.

"Okay," ka said. "Do you want a newspark?"

Did he want a newspark? Thundercracker had never thought about it. He hadn't entered Data Hunger before, so it never seemed like a possibility, but now…

Starscream groaned. "Do you want a newspark right now?"

Thundercracker shook his helm. He wasn't ready. Even if he wanted a newspark—which he wasn't sure of—he was in no position to have one.

Starscream threw kas helm back and stomped kas pede. Ka motioned toward the cybereagle.

"Eat that," ka said. "I'll go talk to Sunstorm."

Ka left. Silence blanketed the burrow. Thundercracker crept forward. Anxiety made him reluctant to eat, but his fuel gauge was low. So, he forced himself to pry metal from the cybereagle. After a few bites, Skywarp joined him.

They still weren't finished when Starscream returned. Ka crouched in front of Thundercracker, holding out kas palm. In it rested chipped crystal flower petals.

"If you don't want to have a newspark," Starscream said. "Take these."

Thundercracker took the petals. He turned them in his hand. They clinked together.

"It'll prevent your spark from fragmenting," Starscream said. "No fragment, no newspark. It won't even develop."

Thundercracker took the first petal between his fingers. At least he wouldn't be killing a newspark if he took this now. He would just be preventing one from forming at all. He popped the first petal in his mouth and bit down. It was bitter, but he forced himself to swallow. He downed the others as quickly as he could.

Starscream joined the meal, taking some of kas powder before and during it. It wasn't abnormal—Starscream had taken it every time they shared a meal—but with the idea of medicine freshly on his mind, it stood out. Ka seemed to have a good amount of it, at least for the moment.

Skywarp nuzzled Thundercracker weakly, resting waz chin on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," wa whispered.

"I was the one who said to stay," Thundercracker whispered back.

At least it was over now.

!!!

"You've been in here for breems."

Prowl didn't respond. There was nothing to say. He rested a hand on the berth, the fibers of the blankets atop it brushing against his fingertips. Everything on the berth was meticulously arranged save for the corner Thundercracker exited it from, left completely untouched.

Prowl sighed. Was his… project still alive? Or had the wild Seekers killed him the moment they realized where he came from? They were savage, fickle beasts—nothing like Thundercracker at all.

His… scrap it all! His creation was a gentle giant. Prowl did his best to instill a love of nature in the Seeker. He taught him everything he knew about mechanimals and plants, of weather patterns and biomes. Thundercracker drank it up like a desiccated crystal flower. Prowl may have provided the knowledge, but it was Thundercracker himself who deserved credit for his interest and gentleness. Prowl only nurtured it.

"Prowl."

Ratchet's voice was closer. Prowl finally turned around, not withdrawing his hand from the berth. Ratchet stared back at him with a furrowed brow.

"Your lights are dim," Ratchet said. "When did you last refuel?"

Prowl rolled his shoulders in a rough approximation of a shrug. Ratchet brought a hand to his face and pinched his olfactory ridge.

"I figured," he muttered, unlatching his storage space. He pulled out a cube of energeon and held it out. "Please."

Prowl took it and popped it open. Just as he raised it to his lips, an urgent message came through his communications module. He reclosed the cube and stored it away. Before Ratchet could stop him—the old mech's face was already drawn into a scowl, his mouth opened in preparation to speak—Prowl brushed past him.

"I'm needed elsewhere," Prowl said.

Elsewhere was one of the detention rooms. Bulkhead stepped aside, opening the door for him. Prowl stepped through.

Bumblebee sat at the table. Another Autobot was across from him. The Autobot was red, white, and blue with sparse yellow accents. His plating was dull and scratched, bearing gashes in many places. A few were rusted at the edges.

"We found him at the perimeter," Bumblebee said, motioning toward the injured Autobot. "Before you ask why he hasn't received any medical attention—" Prowl shut his mouth, about to ask precisely that. "—he insisted he see you first."

Prowl stayed silent for a moment, the information slowly sinking in. Based on the state of the Autobot before him, there was a ninety percent likelihood that the mecha heading their way would not be arriving.

He already suspected as much when the party he sent to meet them returned empty handed.

"What happened?" Prowl said.

The blue Autobot's audial fins lowered.

"Seekers attacked us," he said. "They targeted our camp and supplies."

"Where were you?"

The Autobot described the route as Prowl pulled up the one sent to him. They shouldn't have been there at all. His party had searched in the complete opposite direction.

"Why were you there?" He asked. "That doesn't follow the route we were sent."

"It was the route we were sent," the Autobot said.

That didn't line up. It had to have been misread. The Magnus wouldn't have sent them two entirely different routes. Though, as Prowl calculated probabilities, he couldn't deny that the chance was non-zero. It could have been a mistake, but the Magnus rarely made mistakes.

"My crew was killed. The Seekers didn't stop until they were all dead," the Autobot said. "I have something important to tell you, but I don't know if you're going to believe me. It's about the Seekers that attacked us."

If the Seekers were trying to eradicate the Autobots, why did he survive?

"What is it?" Prowl said.

"One of the Seekers spoke to me," the Autobot said. "It let me go and told me they wouldn't stop until we all were dead."

Prowl's spark nearly froze.

"What did the Seeker look like?" He asked.

The Autobot scrunched his olfactory ridge. Prowl searched the air. It returned with the light tingle of confusion.

"It was blue," the Autobot said.

Thundercracker. He was alive!

Thundercracker buried his helm in his arms. It ached, and was made even worse when he tried to get up, so he didn't bother. His chest was… uncomfortable. There wasn't any describing it. He curled in on himself, pressing his arms to his chest and squeezing his optics shut.

Skywarp stirred beside him, but didn't wake. Pedesteps alerted him to Starscream's approach. Ka hesitated before laying down beside him. Ka left frequently in the night, which bothered Thundercracker until he learned of the reason: Starscream's health issues resulted in frequent buildup of waste. With that in mind, it made sense for Starscream to sleep near the edge of the nest, and Thundercracker didn't try to keep him or retrieve him.

"You seem uncomfortable," Starscream whispered.

"My helm and chest," Thundercracker said.

Starscream wrapped an arm around Thundercracker. "Not abnormal. It'll go away."

"I hope so," Thundercracker mumbled, closing his optics.

!!!

It had lessened when Thundercracker woke, but didn't go away. He fought not to press a fist into his chest, knowing it wouldn't help. Skywarp was already on him, gently stroking his wing as wa cuddled him. Starscream was off hunting. Thundercracker didn't want to leave kan to hunt alone, but the idea of hunting and flying when he felt like scrap was unappealing, and Skywarp refused to leave his side after he admitted it.

So, Thundercracker wallowed in his discomfort. The pain patches he hid in their bedding would be overkill for this, but that didn't reduce the temptation. Anything to be slightly less miserable. But he held himself back. If he took them now, he might not have them when he really needed them.

Pedesteps followed by shuffling made Thundercracker aware of Blast's entrance. Na dipped nas helm before gently depositing nas seekerling between Thundercracker and Skywarp. Part of Thundercracker was tempted to give vam back, unwilling to deal with vam when he was so tired. But as Blast took off, Thundercracker didn't protest.

The seekerling peeped, confusion escaping into the air. Thundercracker petted vas helm. Va stared at him and trilled quietly. Then, va settled down, curling until va was nestled snugly between Thundercracker and Skywarp. With a quiet purr, the seekerling closed vas optics.

The ache in Thundercracker's helm intensified, returning to its previous strength. He squeezed his optics shut and fought not to whine. Starscream claimed it was normal, but was it really supposed to hurt this much?

Thundercracker pushed himself into Skywarp. The seekerling between them purred louder. Thundercracker forced himself to focus on the sound as it traveled through his plating. Anything but the pain. It would go away. He just had to wait it out.

He missed Prowl. And Ratchet. And Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, too. And Bulkhead and Arcee…

He didn't know what prompted the desperate wish for them in his mind. He just knew that if Prowl were there, things would be better. Ratchet would be able to find the problem. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe would play games with him to distract him.

But they weren't here. He left them behind, and might never see them again. For all he knew, they were dead. That was what Megatron wanted, wasn't it? If they ever came across his Autobots again, that would be what happened. Would Thundercracker be forced to fight?

There was no question. He would, because any refusal would be a challenge he couldn't win. Not yet, at least. He still needed to talk to Starscream about that.

A loud click startled him, dislodging his train of thought. He replayed the sound in his mind, searching for the source. It came from his chest. The seekerling trilled, stirring as it let out a questioning peep. Skywarp's optics snapped open.

"That's not what I think it was," Skywarp said, voice strained. "Was it?"

Thundercracker sat up, carefully shifting the seekerling into his lap. Va stared up at him, audials and optics now fully functional. Thundercracker fired the command to open his storage space. His primary locks disengaged, but it refused to unhitch. He felt along the edges of the glass, his claws catching on his secondary locks.

They had engaged. The knot in his chest twisted. He took the petals! Why would they engage if he hadn't split his spark?

"Scrap!" Skywarp said.

Thundercracker couldn't have a newspark right now—not when he was surrounded by enemies and needed to engage in battle. Even if he did want to keep the little spark, it likely wouldn't survive. If his spark had split, he needed to get rid of it. But how?

He remembered.

"Punch me!" Thundercracker said.

Skywarp's wings rose. Waz optics widened.

"What?" wa said. "No!"

"Do it!" Thundercracker said.

Skywarp scooted backward. "No! I don't want to hurt you!"

"Damage to the glass pauses the cycle!" Thundercracker said. "Sunstorm told me. If you break my glass, the secondary locks with disengage. No locks, no newspark."

Skywarp grimaced. Wa ran waz fingers down waz face, growling quietly.

"Okay," wa said.

Wa leaned back and struck. A hollow thunk sounded. Thundercracker fell backward. The newspark crawled onto his chest with a quiet peep. Thundercracker raised a hand to the glass.

Scrap. Still intact.

"You need to do it harder!" He said.

"I can't!" Skywarp squeaked.

"You have to—"

Thundercracker paused as the dirt near the entrance stirred. Starscream crawled through, dragging a pair of petrorabbit carcasses with kan. Ka paused, glancing between Skywarp and Thundercracker. Ka flicked kas wings.

"Did I miss something?" Ka asked.

"Nas locks engaged!" Skywarp yelled, pointing toward Thundercracker.

Starscream glanced at Thundercracker again.

"Why is that so concerning?" Ka asked.

"You said the petals would stop my spark from splitting," Thundercracker said. "But the locks—"

"Would have engaged anyway," Starscream said calmly. "If you link up at all while in Data Hunger, your frame thinks you've kindled. But the moment your frame goes to build the newspark's egg and realizes it doesn't have a sparklet to work with, it'll correct itself."

That lessened the knot of anxiety somewhat. Thundercracker's wings relaxed.

"How do you know that?" He asked.

Starscream scoffed. "How wouldn't I? I've seen Sunstorm disappointed after Data Hunger enough times at this point."

Thundercracker brushed past the implications of the remark and focused on what it meant for him: Starscream had seen this before. Ka knew how it was supposed to look. The petals must have worked if ka was so confident. All he had to do now was wait.

Thundercracker sat next to one of the petrorabbits, bringing the seekerling with him. Va chirped, excitement making the air tingle, as va caught sight of the carcass. The little thing wriggled out of his lap and clawed at the carcass. Starscream snorted and picked vam up. Holding vam in one arm, ka tore open the petrorabbit's neck.

"You're too tiny for solids," ka said, pulling the fuel line out. Ka placed the seekerling on the ground and offered va the fuel line. Va latched onto it. "There you go, you little fool."

"You seem to know a lot about seekerlings," Thundercracker said, taking a scute from the petrorabbit.

Starscream threw kas helm back and rolled kas optics. "Only because Sunstorm is obsessed. Na wants a seekerling more than anything. That's why na won't leave me alone."

Skywarp paused mid-bite of waz own scute. "Because you're—"

"Because na wants to baby something, and nas poor, defective sibling is the perfect target!" Starscream hissed.

Skywarp flicked waz wings. Tension pulled at the air. Wa glanced at Starscream before taking a large bite of waz portion. Starscream sighed and pulled a container out of kas pocket, dumping powder into kas waiting hand.

"Would you ever want a newspark?" Thundercracker asked.

Starscream downed the powder, grimacing at the taste. Ka smacked kas lips before replying.

"No," ka said. "I can't have one anyway."

"Why not?" Thundercracker asked.

Starscream glared at him, inclining kas helm toward the container of powder in kas hands. "Why do you think?"

!!!

Thundercracker's locks were still engaged when Megatron called yet another meeting, and they were still engaged when the battle began. As with before, Blast and even Thrust were forced to come along. No one was left to defend the camp, so the seekerling remained in Blast's cockpit. Ahead, Dirge and Ramjet hovered especially close to Thrust.

Thundercracker didn't like Dirge and Ramjet, but fighting while gravid was dangerous for the newspark. Anticipation and anxiety rolled off the trine ahead of him in waves, too strong to inhibit or ignore. It almost made him feel bad for them.

Scrap it. He did feel bad for them.

This battle was different from the others. Before, they were attacking Autobots that encroached on their territory. Although Thundercracker didn't enjoy it, it was justifiable. This one, on the other hand…

Starscream cackled as kas rays seared another building. Megatron's third trinemate—the large blue triplechanger—soared ahead, dropping bombs on the surrounding buildings. The Autobots inside fled, but it was no use. If the bomb itself didn't destroy them, the debris would.

Thundercracker stalled, reluctant to take aim at the Autobots scattering below. Still, they fell, taken out by the combination of Starscream and Skywarp's rays. Starscream whooped, flying ahead. As Thundercracker slowed, so did Skywarp.

"What's wrong?" Wa asked.

"These are civilians," Thundercracker said. "This is their home."

"They're doing the same to us," Skywarp said.

The Autobots as a whole were, but…

"Not these Autobots," Thundercracker said. "The ones that are hurting us are soldiers."

Skywarp flew ahead. "Follow me."

Wa weaved between other Seekers, gracefully dodging fire. The few times wa couldn't, wa teleported. Thundercracker swerved as one of the shots Skywarp avoided came particularly close to him. The air whooshed as Starscream came from behind him. Starscream lingered in front of him, shielding him from oncoming fire.

They landed before a large building. Skywarp transformed back into root mode and motioned toward it. Thundercracker stared blankly in waz direction.

"It's a weapons factory."

Thundercracker nearly jumped as Starscream spoke right next to his audial.

"So?" Thundercracker said.

Starscream ruffled kas plating. "These Autobots have been manufacturing weapons to destroy us. Who do you think shelters the bots who produce and design the weapons? Feeds them? Provides them with the metal they need? The civilians may not be shooting at us, but they are not innocent."

"They want us all dead," Skywarp said, voice trembling. "So we need to kill them first."

A boom vibrated through the air, the force of it making Thundercracker stagger. The sky screamed, a roar backing it, as it lit aflame. Above them, a ball of fire descended rapidly from the sky. Two Seekers—white and navy blue—followed it. Thundercracker's spark seized. Thrust.

He leaped, taking off toward the site of the crash. Dirge and Ramjet were already there, making their way toward Thrust. The red Seeker laid in the center of a crater, smoke surrounding nam. Thundercracker landed and broke into a sprint, reaching Thrust's side before nas trinemates could. Behind him, thrusters roared as Skywarp and Starscream landed.

Thrust opened nas optics and groaned. Then, na jolted upward, nas claws scraping across the glass of nas cockpit. Except they never scraped—because there was a massive hole in the center. The glass was gone. Thrust's claws shook.

A laser shot flew by. Thundercracker turned. Defenses had finally arrived. He whipped toward Starscream and Skywarp.

"Protect us!" He yelled.

The other two Seekers leaped into action. Starscream fired back at the approaching Autobots as Skywarp teleported behind the Autobot who made the shot. Thundercracker turned back toward Thrust.

Thrust was frozen, whining quietly. Despair saturated the air. Thundercracker knelt to get a better view. The interior of Thrust's cockpit was filled with shards of glass and debris from landing. Buried beneath them was a hint of bright red and dark blue.

"Stay still," Thundercracker said. "I'm going to check on the egg."

Cybirds incubated their eggs in nests, keeping them warm with their own bodies. If the egg was fully developed, Thrust and nas trine might be able to do the same. But that assumed the egg was intact and still had a spark. Thundercracker remembered what Sunstorm said before—damage to the glass paused the cycle. Even if the newspark was able to survive on its own, would the frame still snuff it?

Slowly and carefully, Thundercracker brushed away the debris that covered the egg. It gleamed in the light. He placed a hand on it, feeling for a spark. If it had one, he would feel the hum.

It was silent. Thundercracker's wings drooped. Thrust stared up at him.

"What is it?" Na said weakly.

"The newspark…" Thundercracker trailed off, unsure of what to say.

Thrust's optics widened. Na rolled, hissing quietly as the action aggravated nas injuries, and shoved nas hands into nas cockpit, searching for the egg. Nas claws closed around the egg. Na froze.

"No," na whispered. "Please, no."

Na curled around naz, shielding nas shattered cockpit from the world. A mournful screech pierced the air. Sorrow consumed everything around them. Without thinking, Thundercracker reached out. The moment he took Thrust in his hands, he thought better of it, but Thrust didn't push him away.

To the contrary, Thrust sprung up, nas screech quieting into a whine. Na pulled him close, claws digging into his plating. Thundercracker returned the embrace as Thrust buried naz in Thundercracker.

!!!

The battle went on for what seemed like eternity. Megatron only called a retreat after all of the buildings were husks and all stragglers were picked off. Not a single glance was spared for Thrust nor nas trine. Thundercracker flew beside Thrust on the way back, and nas trinemates let him. Skywarp and Starscream, followed by Blast, were not given the same allowance, so they trailed behind.

When they arrived, Thrust landed before sticking nas claws back into nas cockpit. With a yank, na pulled the egg free. Fluid leaked from it. Na stared at it silently. Thundercracker settled beside nam. Na leaned into him, squeezing nas optics shut. Then, na pierced the egg with nas claws.

Fluid dripped onto the ground as the egg crunched. A tiny face stared back at them, barely formed. Its limbs were all there—perfect, tiny replicas of a seekerling's. Its wings were lumpy, small, and misshapen, not yet done being made. Its spark chamber was exposed, the little bubble of glass that normally composed the cockpit not yet formed. Its entire abdomen was open, internals leaking out. Despite its incompleteness, Thrust held it to nas chest and whined.

Thundercracker didn't want to focus on himself when Thrust was in such deep despair that the air was drenched with it, but his processor latched onto the small, partially formed seekerling. If he hadn't prevented himself from kindling by taking those petals, that could have been his seekerling as well. It only showed that he did the right thing. Having a seekerling in this situation was dangerous, and not many would be as lucky as Blast's.

Thundercracker wrapped an arm around Thrust. The other Seeker leaned further into him. They had never spoken. They didn't even know each other. But Thundercracker knew Thrust needed someone, and nas trinemates were keeping their distance. So were his.

Thrust brought the seekerling to nas face and wrapped nas teeth around one of its limbs. Na bit down, severing the limb with a crunch. Thundercracker froze. Thrust continued to eat.

He should have been revolted, yet he wasn't. Sure, he hadn't expected it, but this wasn't a callous act. No one moved to stop them. Whatever this was, it was normal for Seekers.

A severed limb was offered to him. Thundercracker accepted it. He hesitated, staring down at it. Pedesteps nearly made him jolt. Dirge approached, wings held low and gaze averted. Ka sat on the other side of Thrust. Without a glance, Thrust took another piece from the seekerling and handed it to Dirge. Starscream crept toward them, settling on the other side of Thundercracker. Thrust reached over to hand ka a piece as well.

Finally, Thundercracker took a bite. It tasted no different from anything else he had eaten. Should that have distressed him?

Eventually, the seekerling was fully consumed. The only traces of it left were the egg fluid and energeon that stained their lips and hands. Ramjet and Skywarp maintained their distance, glaring at the other Seekers in the valley and growling if they came close.

Blast pushed past them, ignoring their warning growls. Skywarp quieted. Ramjet's growl faded into a hiss. Blast knelt in front of Thrust. Thrust stared up at nam, nas optics empty. Unlatching nas cockpit, Blast offered nas seekerling. The tiny thing peeped, optics wide open as va looked around in confusion.

Thrust took vam in nas arms. The seekerling peeped again, wings flicking as va stared up at nam. Na brought vam to nas face and nuzzled vam. Va trilled. Thrust tucked the seekerling against nas chest, purring. The seekerling purred back.

!!!

Dirge's trine was sullen. Ramjet and Dirge still went out to hunt, but now they were rarely outside of their burrow. Thundercracker saw Blast visiting them a few times, depositing nas seekerling with them the same way na left vam with Thundercracker. When Thundercracker and his trinemates-to-be went out hunting, they were no longer harassed.

Thrust came up to him a few times while the other two members of nas trine were out hunting, ignoring Starscream's warning hisses to curl up beside him. Whatever significance helping Thrust when na crashed held, it had completely transformed Dirge's trine's relationship with his. When Thrust cuddled with him, na didn't talk. Thundercracker never pushed nam to.

The seekerling was growing quickly. Va already went from a handful to an armful, and began to speak. It was mostly single words, but every once in a while, va would surprise them with a short string of them. Vas language systems were still developing, but it was amazing process. Since va could understand speech now, Blast had finally named vam: Windshear. Va learned to respond to the name quickly.

Thundercracker enjoyed watching vam. Luckily, Megatron considered a seekerling of Windshear's size too small to participate in battle and too large to place into one's cockpit, so at least one member of the little group was left behind whenever they went to fight. Since Blast was Windshear's dam, na was the one who stayed behind most often.

As they flew over the village, Thundercracker was silently grateful that Blast had stayed behind this time. The Autobots there had stasis nets and blasters that emitted sprays rather than singular beams, making it quite difficult to evade them. Thundercracker's plating stung in various places from where the sprays had managed to catch him, many of the injuries caused by attempts to evade the nets.

Megatron already called for them to avoid the ground. One of kas trinemates—the dark blue one—had been the first hit with a net. With a roar of fury, the Winglord descended, landing right on the Autobot that fired the net. Ka tore the net apart, freeing kas wingmate. The incident made the risks clear: unless a Seeker wanted to be brought down, the ground was to be avoided.

Despite the weaponry, the Autobots were ultimately helpless. Soon, the village was destroyed. Yet another piece of land was reclaimed for the Decepticons. Thundercracker landed as the cheers began, the flock tearing apart the carcasses of the Autobots now that all others had fled.

Thundercracker joined Starscream and Skywarp in taking a particularly large corpse apart. He didn't want to eat Autobots, but they were already dead. His fuel gauge was complaining—it always was since his bout of Data Hunger ended—and fuel was fuel. It didn't taste any different from the mechanimals they hunted.

He leaned into Skywarp. Wa returned the gesture, nuzzling him. Ever since Data Hunger, he wanted his trinemates-to-be close. Not as strongly as he wanted them while he was in the throes of Data Hunger, but the idea of being without them left him twitchy. Having them beside him was comforting.

He paused mid-bite at a weird sensation in his chest. There wasn't any describing it. He shook himself, fighting not to show any hint at how it felt. It was almost like his spark was spasming. This wasn't the first time it happened, and likely wouldn't be the last, but he figured it would stop eventually. Probably whenever his secondary locks finally disengaged.

It was fine.

!!!

Thundercracker was on the prowl. Cybirds chirped in the trees. Glitchmice—too small to be worth catching—skittered through the foliage. His fuel gauge was complaining so persistently that it woke him up far before Skywarp and Starscream. He couldn't stand it, so without waking them, he flew off to hunt.

Despite Blast's claims that the village they retook was once a lush land full of prey, Thundercracker wasn't hearing nor seeing anything worthwhile. Had the Autobots driven it all away when they built their homes? He crept deeper into the surrounding field. The grass came up to his waist, completely unmaintained. Ahead of him, it shook.

Thundercracker paused and readied himself to pounce. Before whatever creature was rustling the grass could move, he leaped. It cried as he wrapped his claws around it. He prepared to slam it down, but froze as its optics caught his.

A face stared up at him. An Autobot face, framed by a small helm. Thundercracker nearly released his catch then and there. This was a sparkling!

It was a grayish blue with cyan and dull yellow accents. There were speakers on its shoulders, and wheels hiding in the panels of its legs.

"Don't eat me!" The sparkling cried. "Don't eat me!"

Thundercracker opened his mouth to speak Common. "I won't."

The sparkling froze, his visor glinting as he stared up at Thundercracker. "Y-you…?"

"Yes," Thundercracker said. "I can talk. And I'm not going to eat you."

"But you ate everyone else!" The sparkling said.

"I don't eat sparklings." Thundercracker thought of Thrust's newspark and corrected himself. "Alive ones, anyway, and I don't want to kill you."

"You eat dead sparklings?" The sparkling squeaked.

Thundercracker flicked his wings. "You're not dead, so that doesn't matter. Where are your creators?"

The sparkling tipped his helm in the direction of the destroyed village. "You ate them."

Thundercracker really should've seen that coming. He sighed. The nearest settlement wasn't for quite a distance. This village was only established recently, and seemingly only to take space from the Seekers, if Megatron was to be believed. Still, as long as he managed to refuel, it wouldn't take that long to fly until he found another settlement…

And then he would have to avoid getting shot. He would have to leave Skywarp and Starscream without telling them, because they likely wouldn't approve of it. That was almost worse than the idea of getting shot. It shouldn't have been, but Thundercracker's processor hadn't been cooperating with him lately.

The roar of jet engines gave him pause. He traced the sound, finding the source just as Starscream and Skywarp touched down. The sparkling thrashed beneath him, attempting to free himself in Thundercracker's moment of distraction, but his grip held firm.

"What is that?" Starscream said, the calmness of kas voice making it clear that ka definitely knew what 'that' was.

"An Autobot newspark," Thundercracker said.

Starscream tilted kas helm. "Why haven't you killed it?"

Thundercracker growled. He stilled his wings before they could rattle.

"Va is a newspark!" He hissed. "Autobot or not."

Starscream tapped kas pede. Then, ka threw kas helm back and stomped kas pede. Ka sighed.

"You're not going to kill it, are you?" Ka said. "What are you going to do with it?"

"Take vam to the Autobots," Thundercracker said.

Starscream rattled kas wings. "No! You'll draw too much attention—"

"I can't just leave vam here!" Thundercracker said. "Va will die!"

Starscream huffed. "All the better, then. One less enemy for us."

Thundercracker growled.

"Va is a newspark!" He said. "I am not leaving a newspark to die."

The sparkling squirmed. Thundercracker adjusted his grip.

"Dirtball," Starscream mumbled, wings lowering as ka shook kas helm. "Take it back with us. If you don't want it to die, that's the safest thing to do."

"Why can't I just take vam to the Autobots?" Thundercracker said.

Starscream stared at him.

"Wherever you leave it, we will eventually strike," ka said. "So, if you want it to live, it's safest with us."

That… actually made a lot of sense. Thundercracker turned back toward the sparkling. The sparkling stilled, staring up at him. Thundercracker opened his mouth.

"You're coming with us," he said in Common. "It's the only way to make sure you live."

Thundercracker released the sparkling. The sparkling rolled onto his pedes. Rather than immediately turning and running like Thundercracker expected, he stood up and brushed himself off.

"Can I bring my pets?" The sparkling asked. "They'll be lonely without me."

Thundercracker glanced at Starscream. Ka rolled kas optics.

"Sure," Thundercracker said.

The sparkling whistled. Two mechanimals flew from a nearby tree—one a cybat, the other a cybird. They landed on the sparkling's shoulders. Thundercracker turned toward Skywarp and Starscream, pausing when a realization hit him: how were they going to get the sparkling back to the camp? He was too large to fit in anyone's storage space. Autobots were smaller than Seekers, but the sparkling was far from a newborn. If Thundercracker had to guess, he would say the sparkling was around four vorns. He could ask later.

For now… back to how they would bring him to the camp. He seemed small enough to carry, so that could work as long as he cooperated. For whatever reason, the sparkling was listening to him. Maybe he already knew there was nowhere else for him to go.

Thundercracker's spark spasmed. He flinched, instinctively reaching for his chestplates. Pulling his hands away, he shook himself out, forcing himself to ignore the uncomfortable sensation. It would go away.

They took off. Thundercracker ignored the complaints of his fuel gauge. It could wait. Right now, he had to bring the sparkling back. When they landed, Thundercracker shielded the sparkling until they managed to herd him inside of the burrow. Skywarp stayed as far away from the sparkling as wa could, pressing waz against the walls of the nest. Starscream stayed near the entrance, glancing outside it every once in a while—likely to ensure no one was coming.

The sparkling looked around the nest. The cybird and cybat hopped down from his shoulders and settled in his lap.

"This is cool!" He said.

"It's our nest," Thundercracker said in Common.

The sparkling hummed. He looked up at Thundercracker. His mouth was obscured by a mask, or perhaps he didn't have one at all, and his visor didn't allow for much expression. But curiosity with the slightest hint of joy reached him, and Thundercracker was grateful that emotions traveled on the air.

"I'm Soundwave!" The sparkling said. "What's your name?"

Thundercracker had been a sparkling once. Everyone had. Yet, it still surprised him how easily Soundwave went along with this. He said himself that the Seekers had killed his family, but now he was giving Thundercracker his name as if that hadn't happened.

"I'm Thundercracker," Thundercracker said. He motioned toward Skywarp and Starscream. "This is Skywarp, and this is—"

"Starscream," Starscream said in Common. "I can introduce myself."

Soundwave straightened up, excitement making the air tingle. "You can talk too?"

"Any Seeker who gets a language packet from grounders can talk," Starscream said. "We just do not have the opportunity or want."

"If you can talk," Soundwave said. "Why don't you talk to us instead of attacking us?"

Starscream snorted. "You grounders do not listen. Why speak when it's a waste?"

Soundwave went quiet after that.

It didn't take long for Soundwave to be discovered. Thundercracker woke, his fans running slightly faster than usual. Windshear was gone from his chestplates, likely retrieved while he was asleep. When Blast had come to drop vam off, Soundwave startled nam, which led to an awkward explanation. But Blast had simply accepted that Soundwave was a newspark—Autobot or not—and moved on.

Skywarp, on the other hand, had not. Wa didn't complain, but whenever wa entered the burrow, wa hesitated. Wa stayed pressed against the furthest wall, watching Soundwave warily. It irritated Thundercracker, but he couldn't blame wan. Autobots had killed Skywarp's birth flock, and now there was an Autobot living inside of their burrow.

Except, as Thundercracker stretched and scanned the burrow, Soundwave wasn't inside. Thundercracker shot up. He launched himself out of the burrow, drawing a groggy cry from Starscream as ka was disturbed. Thundercracker searched the Seekers gathered outside, his spark pulsing. They stared at a fixed point, wings wide and dentae bared. Thundercracker followed their collective gaze.

Megatron stood in the center of the valley. Ka scowled, baring kas teeth. Kas growl rumbled through Thundercracker's plating. Before kan was Soundwave, staring up as if nothing was amiss. Megatron raised kas hand, claws at the ready.

Thundercracker darted forward. He crouched above Soundwave, flaring his wings for maximum coverage. The Winglord stared down at him with narrowed optics.

"So you're the one that brought this… thing here," Megatron said.

"Va is a newspark," Thundercracker growled. "Don't hurt vam."

He knew he should be afraid. Megatron had taken him down effortlessly before. But if he backed down now, the Winglord would kill Soundwave. That was the only thing Thundercracker was certain of.

Megatron growled, flexing kas claws. Thundercracker summoned his roar, but didn't activate it. The Winglord paused, kas scowl relaxing into a frown. Ka stepped back.

"I told you not to use your ability in the camp," Megatron said.

Thundercracker growled again, letting the hum of his ability back it—enough to shake the air around them, but not enough to cause damage. Megatron stepped back again, optics widening for a fraction of a moment. Was the Winglord afraid of his ability?

Thundercracker activated it further. The ground began to ripple. Megatron backed away with a grimace. Shaking off disbelief, Thundercracker straightened himself. Was he winning?

Megatron turned away.

"Fine," ka growled. "You can keep the little beast. When your coding resettles, you won't want it anymore anyway."

Coding…? Thundercracker ignored that remark. He would've protected Soundwave whether he was coming off of Data Hunger or not. The Winglord just didn't understand.

At the very least, Soundwave was safe now.

!!!

Thundercracker lagged behind, his fans whirring. He was running hot, but he tried to justify it to himself: he'd just chased after a particularly swift turbofox. The fact that it got away was unusual, but everyone had off days. He just… hadn't had one this off before.

He forced himself to keep going as his systems begged him to pause. The urge to land and curl up somewhere was growing harder and harder to resist. But the flight back to the camp was mercifully short. He ignored Skywarp and Starscream's glances and headed straight for the burrow, sitting against the wall of the nest.

Soundwave stared up at him. Thundercracker motioned him closer. Eagerly, the sparkling crawled into his lap. The lack of concern for his lost parents and his quickness to show Thundercracker affection was a bit concerning, but Thundercracker didn't have the processing power to contemplate it at the moment.

"You're nice," Soundwave mumbled. "That's why."

Thundercracker pulled him closer. Soundwave leaned into him. Starscream and Skywarp entered the burrow. Before ka sat, Starscream laid the bodies of two petrorabbits on the floor. Straightening up, Soundwave's focus fell to the petrorabbits.

Thundercracker leaned forward. Mimicking what Starscream had shown him several times, he dug out and severed one of the petrorabbits' major fuel lines. He handed it off to Soundwave. He didn't have a mouth, so Soundwave popped open his wrist panel and attached the fuel line to his intake, siphoning the energeon.

The Seekers waited a few moments for Soundwave to take his fill before beginning their meal. As Thundercracker chewed on a scute, finally quieting his complaining fuel gauge one bite at a time, he wondered what the difference between line energeon and the energeon the Autobots drank actually was.

"It smells a lot different," Soundwave said.

Thundercracker startled. Did he say that out loud?

"You don't say things out loud," Soundwave said. "You say them in your head. All of the Seekers do. You're like me."

But they were speaking…

Soundwave's shoulders slumped. "Are you not like me?"

Starscream paused mid-bite with a casual, condescending hiss. "Dirtkissers can't hear Vosian. Their audials are defective."

Then how was Soundwave hearing them?

"I hear thoughts," Soundwave said. "Yours are in Common so I know what you're saying. But theirs aren't. Seekers don't open their mouths when they talk, so I thought maybe…"

"We could hear thoughts too," Thundercracker finished. He shook his helm. "No, Soundwave. We can't."

Was that why he was so willing to come with them?

Soundwave slumped, burying his face in Thundercracker's plating. Thundercracker shifted his meal to his other hand, using the free one to rub Soundwave's plating. The air grew heavy and cold as Soundwave's disappointment leaked out. He mumbled something.

"What?" Thundercracker said, leaning down.

Soundwave withdrew just enough to make himself heard. "Are you going to throw me out now?"

Thundercracker's wings raised.

"No!" He said. "Why would you think that?"

Soundwave buried himself in Thundercracker's plating again. He didn't answer. The more Soundwave spoke, the less Thundercracker liked what he heard.

"Can I get the rundown on whatever just happened?" Skywarp asked. Wa was pressed against the wall, as per usual.

Starscream flicked kas wings. Thundercracker hadn't noticed it before, but kas gaze hadn't left Soundwave since the sparkling started talking. Now, it fell toward Skywarp.

"Little thing was rejected by its parents," Starscream said. "It can read minds."

"Va," Thundercracker corrected.

Starscream snorted. "It. It's a dirtkisser."

Anger rose in Thundercracker before he could stop it. Soundwave was a mech, not an object! Before he could think of a better alternative, Thundercracker reached over, smacking Starscream gently on the helm like he'd seen Sunstorm do before.

Starscream froze. Kas wings lowered. Ka averted kas gaze. Skywarp snickered.

"Va," Starscream mumbled.

Clearly, a tap on the helm was some form of Seeker discipline. Thundercracker would have to remember that. He would definitely need it. There was no immediately convincing Starscream to change kas mind about Autobots, but ensuring sure ka didn't make Soundwave feel unwelcome by calling him an object was a more pressing matter.

Skywarp crept closer. Anxiety hovered on the air, intertwined with a profound sadness. Wa stared down at Soundwave.

"Va was rejected because of vas ability," Skywarp said quietly.

Soundwave withdrew just enough from Thundercracker's plating to stare up at Skywarp. Wa flinched backward before shaking waz and inching forward again. Wa reached out, waz hand hovering just shy of touching Soundwave.

"Will va bite me if I touch vam?" Skywarp said.

Thundercracker glanced at Soundwave.

"Will you bite Skywarp?" He asked.

Soundwave tilted his helm. "No?"

"Va says no," Thundercracker translated.

Skywarp closed the gap and petted Soundwave's helm. Soundwave sat still, confusion in the air. Scooting closer, Skywarp shifted waz hand downward so wa was rubbing his shoulders instead. Waz motions were hesitant, and wa reached behind Soundwave at first, as if searching for wings.

Soundwave pushed himself away from Thundercracker. Skywarp froze. Slowly, Soundwave crept forward into Skywarp's lap. With wide optics, Skywarp stared down at him, stunned. Then, wa wrapped waz arm around him.

"You have a packet for the language va speaks, right?" Skywarp asked.

Before Thundercracker could respond, Starscream interrupted.

"Just give vam the Vosian one," ka said. "Va will need to learn it anyway."

That was true…

"Hey Soundwave," Thundercracker said, waiting for Soundwave to turn toward him before continuing. "Do you want to be able to understand the other Seekers? I can give you a language packet."

Soundwave looked down at his wrist panel. He rubbed it. Silence passed.

"Yes," he said quietly.

He offered his arm, the panel slowly opening. Thundercracker opened his as well and took Soundwave's arm gently in his hands. Carefully, he connected his cord to Soundwave's port.

The response was immediate: full access. Sparklings didn't have firewalls. Soundwave shuddered. Thundercracker nearly rethought giving him the packet. With no firewalls to keep him where he didn't belong, this would be a lot trickier.

But eventually, he found it. Thundercracker sent a bundle of files in a specially formatted request. Soundwave's systems accepted it without a scan. Right. No firewalls. After it was unpacked, Thundercracker retreated, detaching himself from Soundwave as quickly as possible.

"Can you see it?" Thundercracker asked.

Soundwave tilted his helm. "I can."

"Then let's see if it works," Thundercracker said. He thought in Common—Soundwave said that. So, he needed someone who thought in Vosian. He motioned to Skywarp, switching to Vosian. "Can you say something? Anything you want to."

Skywarp clicked a couple of times, then spoke. "Um… Petrorabbits taste better than turbofoxes."

"Petrorabbits…" Soundwave paused, his olfactory ridge crinkling. "Taste better than… turbofoxes."

Skywarp's optics darted from Soundwave to Thundercracker. "Did va say it?"

Thundercracker nodded.

In the end, Skywarp was given the Common packet as well—wa couldn't translate Soundwave alone, and Soundwave wasn't capable of making the sounds Vosian required. With communication established between all occupants of the burrow, there was a lot less fear to go around.

!!!

Thundercracker was woken by squirming. Next to him, Starscream rolled over with a hiss that turned into a quiet groan. Ka clambered out of the burrow, unaware that ka woke Thundercracker. Careful not to wake anyone else, Thundercracker sat up, waiting for Starscream to return. With the others asleep, he finally had the opportunity to ask ka about Megatron.

A few moments later, Starscream returned, wings low and discomfort on the air. Ka paused at the entrance of the burrow as kas optics landed on Thundercracker. With a sigh, ka sat beside him.

"I woke you," ka mumbled.

"Not the first time," Thundercracker said. "I have something to ask you."

Starscream leaned against the wall. Ka made a show of casually examining kas claws, but the tension in the air gave kan away.

"Ask it, then," Starscream said.

"Well…" Thundercracker paused. Would Starscream be angry with him for telling the truth? They weren't trined yet, so ka could call off the courtship. But would ka really do that? "I courted you for a… specific reason."

"Everyone courts anyone for a reason," Starscream said.

Maybe ka wouldn't be upset after all.

"I need to take out Megatron," Thundercracker said, the words tumbling out of his vocalizer. "You're the only Seeker in the flock I've seen willing to try."

Starscream's wings flicked. Ka went still. Then, a grin spread across kas face. Ka laughed.

"I knew you were different!" Ka said. "We can take him out together. Challenges don't have to be one on one. But I have to be the one to kill kan."

Thundercracker hadn't expected such an immediate turn. Maybe he should have, considering what others said about Starscream. He shook off his surprise and forced himself to focus on the task at hand: planning to remove Megatron from power.

"Why?" Thundercracker asked, but even as he asked, the answer came to him.

"I'm going to be Winglord," Starscream said. "Not you. So I have to be the one to strike the final blow, unless you'd like to be on the other side of my swords."

Right. Winglord was a lifelong position. Thundercracker had already guessed that. But now other pieces were sliding into place—the Seeker who killed the Winglord became the next one. That was why Megatron was Winglord now.

"I don't have any interest in being Winglord," Thundercracker said. "But… what are you going to do after you're Winglord?"

Starscream grinned wider, a purr starting up. It rumbled so loudly that Thundercracker could barely hear kas words.

"Rule the Decepticons, obviously," Starscream said. "I'll make them praise me, worship me, and when I'm done making them kiss my pedes, they'll fight for me. I'll take over all of the other flocks, finally uniting all Seekers. Then, the Autobots will cower before our might and surrender!"

Thundercracker… didn't know what to make of that. It was the sort of thing a sparkling would say while playing pretend. But he couldn't just say that. He needed Starscream on his side. Maybe, when the time came, if he made some suggestions, they would be listened to…

Starscream looked at him expectantly.

"That's… a very ambitious set of plans," Thundercracker said.

Starscream flicked kas wing. Kas face fell.

"You don't think I can do it, do you?" Ka said, kas purr dying.

"I—"

"You don't," Starscream said. "No one thinks I can. But I'm going to do it, and everyone that ever doubted me will regret it."

Leaves crunched beneath Thundercracker's claws as he dug them into the nest. Anger seared the air, but the discomfort from before lingered beneath it, intensifying with every passing moment.

"What if the Autobots don't surrender?" Thundercracker asked.

Starscream stared blankly at him. Kas wings twitched. Then, ka growled.

"They will," ka hissed. "They have to."

"But what if they don't?" Thundercracker repeated.

Starscream stammered. It was exactly as Thundercracker suspected: ka didn't know what ka would do if the Autobots didn't surrender. Ka probably hadn't thought through kas plan at all. And as Prowl often told Thundercracker, even the most meticulous plans unraveled when faced with reality. A plan as simplistic as this one was bound to fail.

Megatron needed to be taken out, but how much better was the alternative?

Starscream bared kas dentae, leaning forward. "They—"

Ka cut kaz off with a stifled gasp. The discomfort in the air crescendoed. Starscream flung kaz out of the burrow. Thundercracker watched kan fly away, making no move to pursue kan. If ka took off for the reason he assumed, all it would do was embarrass them both.

Eventually, Starscream returned. Ka shuffled into the burrow and sat beside Thundercracker. Silently, ka pulled kas knees to kas chest. Shutting kas optics, ka buried kas face in kas knees.

"Are you okay?" Thundercracker asked.

"I'm fine," Starscream mumbled. "Nothing I haven't dealt with before."

Pain hung on the air as Starscream hunched. Thundercracker scooted closer, his plating brushing against kas. He reached over, pulling Starscream close to him. Ka went limp, allowing Thundercracker to manipulate kan however he pleased.

It was an odd response. Sunstorm said Thundercracker was supposedly a Spark for going limp like that. But Starscream was a Claw. Starscream squirmed, and Thundercracker was reminded of a more pressing matter.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked.

"Not unless you can replace my solvent tank," Starscream grumbled, leaning into him.

Maybe Ratchet could, but there was no way Starscream would come with him all the way to the base. Thundercracker hadn't even gotten a comm installed before he left. Maybe he should have, because it would've let him call Ratchet to ask.

"What's wrong with it?" Thundercracker said.

"It doesn't make enough solvents," Starscream said. "Or maybe none at all at this point. It used to work better than this."

Without solvents, Starscream wouldn't be able to process fuel. Kas smaller stature and waste issues suddenly made a lot more sense. The story Blast gave of Starscream's sudden failure to thrive as a seekerling also made more sense with that context—ka stopped being able to process fuel, so ka was starving.

The powder made from the solvent tanks of mechanimals was a replacement for what kas tank should've been producing. That was why ka took the powder during meals.

"What if you made peace with the Autobots?" Thundercracker asked.

Starscream nuzzled him. Ka stared ahead.

"They would never accept," Starscream said. "That's why we need a show of force."

Thundercracker reached over and stroked kas wing. A quiet purr rumbled from Starscream's engine.

"But if you could," Thundercracker said. "Would you?"

Starscream closed kas optics. "Being known as the one to finally end this fruitless war and bring prosperity back to the Seekers? I'd consider it no matter what the method, even if I had to play nice with dirtkissers."

That was good enough.

!!!

The cycle passed as usual. Thundercracker and his trinemates-to-be rose from the burrow. Thundercracker bade Soundwave a quick goodbye before they took off to hunt. They returned with enough prey to share with Blast and Windshear, and cautiously allowed Thrust to join their huddle. But just from their morning routine, Thundercracker was already tired.

His fans were still running faster than usual, but it wasn't enough for him to worry. Though, he could do without the pressing desire to lay down and curl up. As he finished up the last bite of his meal, his spark spasmed. He brought a hand to his chest, willing the odd sensation to go away. By the time it faded, the others were finished eating as well.

So, Thundercracker began the next portion of their routine. He pounced on Starscream, pinning kan. As always, Starscream went limp, allowing him to clean his wings. Skywarp was already on the ground when he finished, waiting waz turn. Thrust called Dirge and Ramjet over to do the same as Blast cleaned Windshear's wings, the seekerling letting out protesting squeaks. When Thundercracker was done with Skywarp's wings, he moved on to Soundwave's plating. The sparkling always sat eerily still throughout, not even making a sound—a major contrast to Windshear's complaints.

After that, they lounged, soaking up the sun on one of the few cycles Megatron hadn't ordered them to do anything. Soundwave called Laserbeak and Ratbat over. The two mechanimals flew around, performing tricks for a delighted Windshear. After a particularly straining set of tricks, Laserbeak settled on Windshear's waiting arm. Ratbat sat on Soundwave's shoulder.

The sun warmed Thundercracker's plating. The comforting warmth begged him to recharge, but he couldn't. Nerves held true relaxation at bay as he clawed at the dirt.

He glanced at Starscream. Ka smiled at him. Thundercracker nodded.

Eventually, they had to do something other than lay in the sun. Thundercracker stretched as others around him stood. He rose to his pedes, taking a few steps.

His helm grew fuzzy. Darkness crept in from the corners of his vision. His spark pulsed. He staggered, his knees growing weak.

"Thundercracker!"

Skywarp's alarmed call came from beside him. Wa pressed into him, doing waz best to support him. Thrust came up on his other side, taking the brunt of his weight. Thundercracker closed his optics as the world spun, a gyroscopic error entering his logs.

But as suddenly as the weakness and dizziness came, it subsided. Thundercracker opened his optics and forced himself to stand tall. Gently, he pushed Thrust and Skywarp away.

"I'm okay," he said.

He had no idea what that was. Did it have anything to do with his spark spasms? Did he have a virus? He must, if this was happening. He'd just see Sunstorm after… yes. After. He'd see nam after.

"Are you sure?" Skywarp asked quietly.

"I'm sure," Thundercracker said.

It was a problem for later. The day continued to pass as usual. Thundercracker still kept having waves of tiredness and the occasional spark spasm, but they were easy to ignore. Nothing like the lightheadedness happened again. Eventually, the group split apart, its members retiring to their burrows to nap. Thundercracker waited until Soundwave and Skywarp were asleep before rising.

He tapped Starscream's shoulder. Ka rose immediately—ka hadn't even fallen asleep. With a grin, ka led him forward. They split off after exiting the burrow, with Starscream sneaking along the edges of the burrows as Thundercracker marched up the middle. He knelt before the Winglord's burrow as Starscream crouched at the other side of it only a leap away.

"I wish to speak with you," Thundercracker said.

Optics flashed at the back of the burrow. Slowly, Megatron emerged. Ka stood tall, kas shadow exaggerated by the setting sun.

"What is it?" Ka said.

Starscream leaped, unsheathing kas wing swords. Thundercracker sprung backward as Megatron fell. But before Starscream could strike, Megatron turned, throwing Starscream off of kan. The swords fell from Starscream's hands.

Megatron growled and grabbed the nearest one, raising it. Ka stabbed it into Starscream's wing, drawing a pained cry. Anger burned Thundercracker's fuel lines as he charged forward, tackling Megatron. He clawed at kan, thinking little beyond doing as much damage as possible.

A force slammed into him, sending him rolling down the hill. Megatron's tan trinemate stared down at him, waz teeth bared. Thundercracker hissed. He flared his wings. The trinemate flared them back.

A cry drew Thundercracker's attention. Megatron stalked toward Starscream as ka struggled, kas wing pinned to the ground by kas own sword. With a growl and a leap, Thundercracker launched himself in Starscream's direction, pulling the sword out as he flew over kan.

Starscream rose, but it was already too late. Megatron's massive fist swung, hitting Starscream's helm with a crack. Starscream squirmed away, putting kan in range of Megatron's next blow: a powerful kick to the helm ka had just struck. Energeon dripped from the corner of Starscream's mouth as ka fell to the side.

Megatron raised kas hands and slammed them down. A powerful clang consumed the air. Starscream's helm was forced downward. Kas optics fuzzed out, pupils no longer visible—if ka was conscious at all, ka wasn't seeing.

Panic gripped Thundercracker's spark, freezing his fuel lines. Even if they could win—which they definitely couldn't—Starscream wasn't in any position to deal the final blow. But Megatron didn't request for Starscream to yield. Instead, ka leaned down, snarling.

"It's time I end this once and for all," ka said, jamming the cannon on kas arm into Starscream's helm. "You have been a nuisance long enough, and now you're a source of corruption."

The cannon hummed ominously, glowing as it prepared to fire. Thundercracker strode forward, then froze. He couldn't let Starscream die, but how could he stop this?

There was only one option.

"We yield!" Thundercracker shouted. "Please don't kill kan! We yield!"

Megatron paused. Ka rose, turning toward Thundercracker. Thundercracker wilted under kas burning gaze, attempting to make himself as small as possible. Megatron grunted, satisfied, and kicked Starscream's side, flipping kan over.

"If either of you attempt to challenge me again," ka said. "I will kill kan."

Starscream groaned, struggling to right kaz. The moment Megatron turned away, Thundercracker rushed toward Starscream, hoisting kan into his arms. Ka clung to him, kas optics still fuzzy and unfocused, but kas pupils had returned.

"I think he knocked my gyros out of place," Starscream mumbled. "Everything is spinning."

Megatron had probably done that and more. Energeon still dripped from kas mouth, and wept from wounds on kas helm and chin. Holding Starscream as closely to his chest as he could, Thundercracker crept into Sunstorm's burrow, hoping Sunstorm was there. Luckily, na was.

Sunstorm turned toward him, optics widening as they landed on Starscream. Na motioned for Thundercracker to place kan on the floor. As Thundercracker laid kan down, ka squirmed. But as soon as ka was out of Thundercracker's arms, ka flattened kaz to the floor and closed kas optics.

Sunstorm pursed nas lips and laid a hand on the back of Starscream's helm.

"Your gyroscopic sensors are out of alignment," Sunstorm said.

"I could've told you that," Starscream said. "Can barely tell where I am."

Sunstorm hummed. "You were always clever, sibling."

Starscream scoffed. Sunstorm ignored it, continuing to examine kas helm. Then, na forced kas helm upward, staring into kas optics. Starscream flinched away.

"You bit your tongue," Sunstorm said. "Please let me see it."

Starscream rolled kas optics and opened kas mouth, allowing Sunstorm to look inside. There was a wound on the side of kas tongue large enough that Thundercracker could see it from where he was sitting. No wonder there was so much blood coming from kas mouth…

"It will heal," Sunstorm said. "As will the processor damage and gyroscopic misalignment. You're skilled at healing. Truly, it's a marvel how well you recover after being injured so frequently and severely."

Starscream pulled away and hissed. Ka pressed kaz to the floor again.

"Can you just say what you mean for once?" Ka growled. "Why does every admonishment have to be phrased as a backhanded compliment?"

Sunstorm's wings raised. "Sibling, I—"

"Shut up!" Starscream said. "See? I just told you to shut up. Is that so hard? You can't just call me stupid for fighting Megatron like everyone else does? You have to tell me how utterly skilled I am at being injured instead?"

Sunstorm stared down at kan. Nas wings twitched. Then, na turned toward Thundercracker.

"Kas gyroscopic sensors may take a few days to realign," na said. "Ka will likely need help walking in the meantime. Don't let kan fly until ka can walk on kas own."

Thundercracker nodded. "O-okay."

Sunstorm hummed. Na headed toward the other side of the burrow, leaving Starscream on the floor. Thundercracker scooted toward kan. He leaned down to scoop Starscream up when his spark spasmed. He went still, waiting until it passed. This one was mercifully brief.

"A-actually," Thundercracker said, pausing as Sunstorm turned back toward him. "Can you, um… can you take a look at me, too?"

"Of course," Sunstorm said, a small smile forming on nas face. Nas optics scanned his frame. "You don't seem injured. What exactly do you want looked at?"

Thundercracker brought a hand to his chest. "My spark. It feels… strange."

Sunstorm hummed. Slowly, na reached forward. Thundercracker forced himself to stay still as nas hand landed on his chest beside his own. Sunstorm closed nas optics. Nas smile grew wider. Na pulled away.

"You've kindled!" Na said cheerfully.

Dread froze his fuel lines.

"Kindled…?" He repeated.

"Kindled!" Sunstorm said. "I can feel a second spark in your chamber."

"I can't," Thundercracker said.

He took the petals. Why didn't they work?

"Why not?" Sunstorm said.

There were a million reasons. He wasn't ready for a newspark. The ever-encroaching Autobots threatened their home and their lives. He had to care for Soundwave. Skywarp and Starscream didn't want a newspark. Blast lost two of nas seekerlings, and Thrust lost nas—his could end up just like those lost ones.

"I can't," Thundercracker repeated, his spark turning faster. "I can't, I can't—"

He scooted away from Sunstorm, digging his claws into the dirt. His spark pulsed, its energy crackling against the walls of his chamber. His plating snapped so close it stung.

He wanted a newspark. He did. But not now. Not like this. Not when it could die at any moment, whether before or after it was born. Not when the Seekers he shared his burrow with didn't want one. Not when he already had others to care for. Not when Megatron led the Seekers.

"It's okay," Sunstorm said softly. "You're going to be okay."

Thundercracker shook his helm. "No! I can't… I can't have a newspark. I took the petals…"

Sunstorm's wings lowered. Na scooted closer. Thundercracker flared his wings.

"They don't always work," Sunstorm said. "Especially on larger Seekers like you. But it's going to be okay."

Thundercracker finally hit the wall of the burrow. He pressed himself against it. "Stop saying that!"

"Thundercracker, please—"

"Oh, for scrap's sake!" Starscream's voice cut through the air. "Just let nam terminate it."

"Terminate it?" Thundercracker whispered.

Sunstorm turned back toward Starscream, a snarl forming on nas face. Wobbly and weak but determined, Starscream fanned kas wings wide as ka pushed kaz onto kas knees.

"You know how I feel about that!" Sunstorm said, nas voice losing its pleasant softness for the first time since Thundercracker heard nam speak.

But Thundercracker was still focused on what was said before. Terminate it? There was a way to remove the newspark? He didn't have to carry a newspark that would very likely die? He could just… get rid of it?

"Right," Starscream said. "Your obsession with seekerlings. I'd almost wonder if you misdosed nam on purpose, but I know you're just incompetent."

"You are very knowledgeable of the mechanics, sibling. But your abilities are suited better for fields other than the preparation of medicines," Sunstorm said. "The petals are a flat dose."

Starscream rolled kas optics. "There it is again! You're so condescending. All you have to do is teach me how, but you keep refusing."

It was the best thing to do, wasn't it? Get rid of the newspark now before it grew enough to feel pain when it was inevitably killed in some other way?

"You want to be a Claw, and Claws don't practice medicine," Sunstorm said.

"They do when it's a matter of life or death!" Starscream hissed. Kas optics drifted toward Thundercracker. Kas wings twitched. "But that's not the issue right now. Go take care of your patient before nas spark gives out."

Sunstorm stared at kan for a moment, nas wings twitching. Then, na turned toward Thundercracker.

"I want to terminate it!" Thundercracker blurted before he could stop himself.

Sunstorm's plating tensed. Na tapped nas claws on nas lap. With a shake of nas helm, na scrunched nas optics shut.

"Very well," na said. Na opened nas optics. "We will discuss the details."

'The details' turned out to be not only an excruciatingly detailed description of the procedure itself, but also of sparkling development. Thundercracker had to wonder how Sunstorm even knew these things, considering the lack of imaging equipment and the fact that he hadn't seen Sunstorm jack into a patient once. The response he received to that question was simply, "I have special hands." He could only assume that meant Sunstorm had some sort of outlier ability.

Since the newspark hadn't surfaced in his storage space, he was early in the process. The newspark was small enough to be reabsorbed. So, all he had to do was take a blend of herbs that would force his secondary locks to relax. With them open, the storage chamber would be considered compromised. The newspark would be snuffed out.

The spark spasms—brought on because the newspark was drawing energy from his spark—would cease. He would no longer feel lightheaded when he rose after sitting. Thundercracker expected to be remorseful after taking the concoction Sunstorm gave him—he was, after all, snuffing a newspark—but all he felt was relief. Everything would go back to normal.

Well, as close to normal as it could.

!!!

The blend of herbs gave Thundercracker a headache nearly on par with the one he had after Data Hunger, but he could tolerate it. The bigger cause of concern was Starscream, who—as Sunstorm said—proved completely unable to walk. When he and Skywarp left to hunt, Thundercracker's spark hurt at the thought of leaving Starscream alone. But ka was safe in the burrow, and they needed food.

If walking was a challenge, getting Starscream to eat was impossible.

Thundercracker placed the petrorabbits they'd caught on the floor. Starscream raised kas helm just enough to see. Ka was pressed flat onto the floor, clinging to it as if it was kas only source of stability. Considering kas condition, it likely was.

As Thundercracker prepared the carcass, Starscream showed no interest. He offered kan a scute, but ka didn't even stir. Thundercracker sighed. He set the scute down and placed his hands under Starscream, forcing kan into a sitting position. Starscream let out a protesting whine, pushing kaz into the wall.

"Come on," Thundercracker said. "You need to eat."

"No," Starscream moaned, attempting to adjust kas position and failing.

Ka tilted to the side, nearly falling over. Thundercracker reached out, pulling ka to his side. Starscream leaned into him. Taking the opportunity, Thundercracker picked up the scute and brought it to Starscream's lips. Ka scrunched kas olfactory ridge and reached for it, missing it several times before finally grabbing it.

"Fine," ka growled.

The first bite took Starscream a couple of attempts, but after ka managed it, ka ate at a relatively steady pace. After finishing the scute, a click sounded as ka unlatched kas cockpit. Ka pulled out kas medicine, taking it with about as much grace as ka took kas meal. Thundercracker resisted the urge to help. He didn't know the amount of powder Starscream required or whether the aid would even be appreciated.

The meal continued like that—Thundercracker helping whenever he could until eventually Starscream pushed him away insistently and curled up on the floor. Taking that as a sign that Starscream was done, Thundercracker took his own portion of the meal.

When he finally looked up, Skywarp's optics bore holes into him. Waz dentae were bared. But wa quickly corrected waz expression, shifting to something more neutral. Beside wan, Soundwave looked between the two of them, his shoulders tense.

"What is it?" Thundercracker asked.

"It's not important," Skywarp said.

The air was sharp with anger.

"It's important if it's making you upset," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp stared at Starscream. Ka didn't stare back—ka likely didn't even notice ka was being stared at. Between Starscream's pain and Skywarp's stinging irritation, the air was oppressive. Skywarp closed waz optics for a moment, waz wings flicking, then turned back toward Thundercracker.

"You're so… soft with kan," wa said.

"Ka is hurt," Thundercracker said.

"Ka is," Skywarp said. "But that's kas fault. And ka dragged you into it."

Was that what wa had assumed?

"I asked kan to," Thundercracker said. "It was my idea, not kas."

Skywarp's wings twitched. Wa frowned. "Why?"

"Megatron is a bad leader," Thundercracker said. "We both saw what happened to Thrust. If Megatron hadn't forced na to fight, nas seekerling would still be alive right now."

Skywarp adjusted waz position, moving backward as wa did. Soundwave scooted away from wan.

"Winglord Megatron is doing what ka believes is best," Skywarp said carefully.

The wording was hard to miss.

"But is it what you believe is best?" Thundercracker said, his wings rising. "Do you think—"

"Ka is going to to kill you all!" Skywarp hissed, baring kas dentae. "And me for being associated with you. Gossip travels farther than you think. I know what ka said to you. I don't like Winglord Megatron, but I don't want you to die."

"We might die anyway," Thundercracker said.

Megatron was going to lead them all into their deaths if ka continued the way ka was. It didn't matter if that was how Seeker flocks worked. No one wanted to die, or for their loved ones to die. But if the Seekers never fought against it, Megatron's callousness would pick them off one by one. Ka may not have killed during challenges—though even that promise was shattered—but enough was lost in battle to make up for it.

Thundercracker only knew a portion of the Decepticons by name, but he'd seen the number of them that crept out of their burrows to catch the sunlight dwindle cycle by cycle. Blast lost both of nas trinemates and two of nas seekerlings. Thrust lost nas seekerling. How many more Seekers—born and unborn—would be lost?

A realization washed over Thundercracker. Challenges didn't have to be one on one. That was what Starscream said. Ka meant that he and Starscream could challenge Megatron together. They couldn't take him on alone, but what if they weren't? What was stopping the flock from working together to remove Megatron?

"Why should we follow Megatron if ka doesn't care about us?" Thundercracker said. "Why should we fight for kan if ka is willing to hurt us? If ka won't even protect the most vulnerable of us?"

How many more Seekers felt this way but were afraid to voice it? How many more had lost trinemates, seekerlings, or family and Thundercracker wasn't there to know? Did Megatron even know? Did Megatron even care?

'Blast can have all of the seekerlings na wants when every last Autobot is dead.'

Ka didn't care. Ka only cared about eliminating their enemies. Perhaps ka had some vision of an Autobot-free future, but that future wasn't now. If they kept going like this, it may be a Seekerless one instead. They needed a leader that would care for them in the moment as much as they did the future.

"Do you think Starscream would?" Skywarp said, waz voice trembling despite the set of waz wings. "Do you think ka cares about anyone but kaz?"

What sort of question was that? Hadn't Starscream helped Thundercracker get the petals? Only a couple cycles ago, Starscream advocated for him when Sunstorm told him he had kindled. Starscream was unpleasant and abrasive, and had unrealistic expectations, but ka was far from selfish.

"I do," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp blinked, taken aback. But wa quickly shook waz out of it.

"So," wa said. "Even if you did manage to make Starscream Winglord, how would ka hold onto it? One challenge and it would all be over."

How many mecha in the flock actually wanted to be Winglord? It seemed like Starscream was the only one, but maybe ka was just the only one willing to fight Megatron to do it.

Skywarp continued. "You can't step in unless ka has more than one opponent. Ka has to be able to hold kas own, and ka can't. When Ramjet called kan too weak to defend a trine, it wasn't a lie. Ka is weak. It's something ka can never change."

Thundercracker half-expected Starscream to call out. When ka didn't, Thundercracker assumed ka was asleep, or simply too miserable to respond. He did not expect ka to be laying, chin sitting on kas arms, staring up at him. Their optics met. Starscream averted kas gaze, kas wings drooping.

'I'm going to do it, and everyone that ever doubted me will regret it.'

Ka was used to this. This was what ka expected to hear. Thundercracker's spark burned. He couldn't dismiss Skywarp's concerns. What would happen if Starscream was challenged? But he couldn't let those harsh words stand.

Then, the realization struck him.

"What if ka doesn't have to take on challenges?" Thundercracker said.

Skywarp's olfactory ridge crinkled. "Ka can't just say no."

"Not that," Thundercracker said. "If ka leads well enough, no one will want to challenge kan. No one challenges Megatron because they fear kan, but the same can be done with love."

Skywarp glanced at Starscream. Ka let out a quiet growl.

"Starscream?" Skywarp said. "Lovable? I don't think so. Ka is a scrapheap."

Starscream rose, wobbling slightly, and shook kas wings.

"I'm your courted trinemate!" Ka hissed.

Skywarp hissed back, baring waz teeth and rattling waz wings. Wings lowering, Starscream averted kas gaze and sank back to the floor. Skywarp hummed.

Thundercracker wasn't certain what he'd just witnessed. It felt like a challenge—the kind that wasn't a brawl—but Starscream backed off so quickly. Was it trine role related?

"Don't talk about Starscream like that," Thundercracker said. Skywarp glared at him, but waz wings drooped as he glared back. As wa averted waz gaze, he added, "I don't want either of you talking like that. I may have a lot to learn, but even I understand that trines are supposed to work together. That can't happen if we keep insulting each other."

He looked between both of his trinemates-to-be. Starscream, just like Skywarp, looked away with kas wings lowered. What exactly was the role of a Spark, if it caused them to react to his words like this?

!!!

Claws poked his shoulder. Thundercracker groaned. They poked more insistently.

"Thundercracker!" Starscream's voice was right in his audial.

Memory hit Thundercracker like a blow to the helm. He helped Starscream sit up, then guided kan out of the burrow. They'd already gotten up like this several times. Did Starscream ever sleep uninterrupted, or did ka always have to get up mid-recharge? No wonder ka was so cranky.

They moved as far away from the camp as they could manage without flight. Thundercracker allowed Starscream some privacy. Frankly, he didn't even want to know as much as he did. Eventually, Starscream called him back over. Thundercracker supported him again as they made their way back.

All of the others were asleep. There were no other Seekers around. It was quiet. Curiosity pulled at Thundercracker's spark, and now was the perfect time to ask questions.

"What is a Spark?" Thundercracker said.

Starscream flicked kas wing. "What do you think one is?"

The retort seemed snarky on the surface, but Starscream's tone was serious. Ka wasn't making fun of him—ka legitimately wanted to know.

"Sunstorm told me Sparks were the 'spark' of their trine, but I don't know what that means," Thundercracker said. "Na also told me that sparks don't engage in fights between trines, and that they carry and raise seekerlings."

Thundercracker already broke the first rule multiple times, and he would break it again. Though he wanted a sparkling someday, he terminated the only one he had kindled so far. Soundwave, despite being a newspark, was a sparkling, not a seekerling. According to Sunstorm's descriptions, Thundercracker shouldn't be a Spark at all, but everyone still called him one.

Starscream looked away and hummed.

"That would be like nam," ka mumbled.

"Is na wrong?" Thundercracker asked.

Starscream shook kas helm.

"That first one is the most important. Not any of that scrap about not fighting or about raising seekerlings," ka said. "You're the trine's spark, in role and in name. It can't exist without you. You're not a seekerling factory—you're the trine's leader."

Starscream said it with such conviction, but doubt still pulled at Thundercracker's mind. Why would Megatron be Winglord instead of kas trine's Spark, if that were the case? Why didn't Sparks fight? If they were the leader and not just the trine's brood dam, didn't it make more sense for them to fight?

"I'm not a leader," Thundercracker mumbled.

That was the one thing he was sure of.

Starscream scoffed. "Aren't you? You give instructions and we follow them."

Thundercracker shifted his weight to better support Starscream as they began walking downhill. Kas steps were unsteady. Ka kept stumbling to one side or the other, and only Thundercracker's grip was keeping kan in a straight line. It was still an improvement from a couple of cycles ago, when Thundercracker had to carry kan.

"That's not leadership," Thundercracker said. "That's obedience."

Starscream frowned. "Leaders give orders, followers obey. What more is there to it?"

"A lot more," Thundercracker said.

Starscream's steps faltered. Ka stumbled, pressing into Thundercracker.

"Agree to disagree," Starscream said. "My helm is hurting again."

Thundercracker let it slide. The argument wasn't worth it. If he had to be the leader of the trine, then he would use his actions to show Starscream that ka was wrong about leadership, rather than trying to convince him with words.

The valley was close to empty when they returned. Only two Seekers were out—the ones that were always wrestling. But they weren't wrestling now. Thundercracker had never seen them apart, but he had also never seen them with a third member. Were they a couplet?

"I also trined you for a reason."

Starscream's whisper brought Thundercracker out of his thoughts. He hummed.

"Other Seekers don't see me the way I want them to," Starscream said. "But when we trine, they'll have to acknowledge it."

What did that mean?

"How do you want them to see you?" Thundercracker asked.

Starscream shook kaz, raising kas wings. Kas face was set in a determined glare as ka stared ahead. Thundercracker followed kas gaze, his optics landing on the Winglord's burrow.

"I'm a Claw," Starscream said.

Thundercracker had never questioned that. But his processor pulled open orns-old memory files. Ramjet's voice played in the back of his mind.

'What kind of trine needs two—'

Two what? The answer wasn't Claws, if Starscream claimed they didn't view kan as a Claw. Sparks? Wings?

'You want to be a Claw, and Claws don't practice medicine.'

Sunstorm's words just a decacyle ago. Not that Starscream was a Claw—that ka wanted to be one. Whatever sort of test Seekers ran to determine trine role, its results weren't that Starscream was a Claw. Was it wrong, or had Starscream decided to become a Claw? If Starscream could change kas role, could Thundercracker do the same?

But what would Thundercracker be? He couldn't say he wasn't a spark, but he also couldn't say he was one.

"You are a Claw," Thundercracker said.

Ka had never been anything else to Thundercracker. Between all of the questions in his mind, that was the only certainty. A quiet purr rumbled from Starscream, punctuated by an uncoordinated nuzzle, and Thundercracker knew he said the right thing. He pulled Starscream closer, lifting kan into his arms. Rather than protesting, Starscream sank into him.

Thundercracker was soft. Skywarp wasn't wrong when wa said that, even if wa only meant it in the context of Starscream. He liked caring for and helping others. But he also wanted to protect them.

Could a Seeker play more than one role? Could he be a Spark and a Claw? The idea sank into his processor as he laid Starscream down in the nest. A warmth rose in his spark, but it was swallowed by dread.

He didn't know if it was possible. If this was how the Seekers reacted to Starscream, how would they respond to him? He didn't even know if that was actually what he was, or what a Spark-Claw could even be called. What if Spark-Claws didn't exist?

Eventually, he slipped into a troubled recharge. Other things demanded his attention, but the thought never truly left his mind, even as orns turned to vorns.

!!!

It didn't sit right with Prowl. Why would the Magnus make such a mistake? And if it wasn't the Magnus, who was it? How would the route get changed so drastically? No one should have been traveling through that area—they weren't expecting any others!

37% likelihood this was intentional and climbing. But who could commit such an act of sabotage? There was one distinct possibility, and he was currently roaming the base—their mysterious survivor, who had eventually give his name: Optimus. One of three Prime-ranking mecha in the village. If this was an intentional act, there was an 87% likelihood that he was responsible. But there was still the 13% chance he wasn't. Prowl had to approach this carefully.

He couldn't just accuse Optimus of sabotaging the route. Not publicly, at least. It would cause the others to doubt him, as all he had was circumstance. If Optimus was a saboteur, he would alert Optimus to possible discovery with nothing to gain from it. If Optimus wasn't, he would destroy the mech's (already limited) trust in him.

The easiest solution was to watch Optimus to obtain further information. Unfortunately, the mech proved to be a ghost. Outside of the sparse moments he left his assigned quarters for meals, Optimus was never out and about. Policy was to never enter another mech's quarters without their permission unless a threat to their life was suspected or there was reasonable proof of a crime being committed. Prowl had neither, so he couldn't enter Optimus's quarters.

He never responded when Prowl knocked. Messages were given curt replies that told Prowl little about him. Optimus never lingered after meetings. But one cycle, Prowl finally obtained a sliver of information.

He entered the mess hall. Ratchet had been quite insistent this time, and Prowl didn't have any meetings to fall back on. Still, he made as many excuses as he could until Ratchet couldn't take it anymore and told him he would 'drag him there by his doors.' Prowl's doors were quite delicate, and Ratchet seemed to mean it, so here he was.

The mess hall was typically empty at this time of day, but voices reached him. He paid them little mind. It was just Bumblebee, Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker, after all. They were always chatty. He had finally stopped looking their way expecting to see blue plating framed by wings.

He filled his cube and turned around. There wasn't much point in eating in the mess hall. His office was much quieter. But as he passed the group's table again, a name caught his audials. Optimus. They were talking about Optimus.

Prowl slowed his pace. The three soldiers continued to speak, so absorbed in their conversation that they didn't notice him. He sat at a nearby table—close enough to hear clearly, but not enough to draw attention.

"He's so mopey," Sunstreaker said. "You know that level with the giant cybershrimp? The one you got stuck on?"

Bumblebee nodded.

"I handed him the controller and he beat it in one try, but he didn't even care!" Sunstreaker said.

"One try?" Sideswipe said, leaning into the table.

"He's crazy good!" Sunstreaker said. "You think he'd be all show-offy about it, but he's not. I told him he was skilled and he just got all huffy and sad. Left the room, didn't want to play anymore."

"Huh," Bumblebee said. He hummed, resting his chin on his hand. "Well, he watched everyone in his village get killed. Cut him some slack."

"Everyone's seen someone die," Sunstreaker said.

Bumblebee's doorwings lowered. "Yeah, but… not like that. He probably misses them."

Not like that indeed. Any mech would be distraught over the loss of everyone they loved, even if it were planned. But if it weren't Optimus, who would it be? At the very least, Prowl had more options now.

Bumblebee and Sunstreaker had apparently found a way to spend time with Optimus despite his solitary nature. Perhaps Bumblebee was right, and he was merely grieving, but the extent of his grief was orns of isolation and avoidance. Such an extreme response could be worthy of a wellness check, should Prowl receive concerns…

Perhaps it was time to speak with Bumblebee. He seemed the most likely to talk.

Pedes kicked the side of Thundercracker's helm. He grunted and rolled over. The mech climbing on him let out a startled noise and tumbled onto Skywarp. Wa woke and immediately jolted backward with a yelp, sending the sparkling to the floor. On the other side of them, Starscream snickered.

Soundwave laid on his back, stunned. Thundercracker reached over, concern seizing his spark, but before his hand connected, Soundwave rolled onto his knees.

"Hide me!" He said. "She's coming!"

Oh. This was a game. Thundercracker sat up, pushing himself toward the wall. Soundwave squished himself behind him. They got into position with barely enough time before Windshear slid into the burrow with a triumphant cry. Va paused, wings at maximum height as va searched the burrow. Excitement hung on the air.

"I know you're in here!" Va chirped.

Soundwave shifted behind Thundercracker. Thundercracker widened his wings in an effort to better conceal him. The movement caught Windshear's optics. Va grinned.

"I have you!" Va said, dashing toward Thundercracker.

At the last moment, Thundercracker scooted out of the way, allowing va to tackle Soundwave. He struggled beneath her.

"Traitor!" He yelled at Thundercracker, but the joy in the air made it clear he didn't mean it.

Thundercracker laughed. Soundwave kicked his way out from beneath Windshear and launched himself at him. Thundercracker turned, catching him. A moment later, a second impact hit Thundercracker's other side as a little arm wrapped around the back of his wing. Windshear giggled.

Va was much larger than before, but still nowhere near the size of an adult Seeker. Vas growth had already outpaced Soundwave's, though that was expected. Autobots were generally a lot smaller than Seekers. At only four vorns old, va was already tall enough to climb onto his wings while he was sitting. Soundwave could barely reach them.

Thundercracker flopped onto his side, eliciting excited squeaks from seekerling and sparkling alike. Windshear slammed vas arm into his shoulder.

"Die, die, die!" Va said. "You're dead now."

Starscream and Skywarp were snickering now. Thundercracker threw his helm back and stuck out his tongue. They laughed louder.

"And now we eat you!" Windshear exclaimed.

Thundercracker broke character, a laugh escaping from his vocalizer. Windshear smacked him again.

"Prey doesn't laugh!" Va said.

"Sorry," Thundercracker said.

Va smacked him again. "It doesn't apologize, either!"

The burrow dissolved into a fit of laughter. It was cut short as another voice shouted from the entrance.

"Incoming!"

A turborat was flung into the burrow. It screeched, scrambling away, but the injuries to its paws kept it from moving far. Soundwave went rigid, then pounced on it. He slammed it against the ground, then severed its dorsal strut the way Thundercracker taught him.

"Food!" Windshear chirped, jumping off of Thundercracker.

The two younglings made quick work of the turborat, tearing it apart in the way they were taught. It warmed Thundercracker's spark to think he had a role in this. They knew how to hunt and dismantle a carcass because he taught them. Though, he had help.

Thundercracker turned toward the entrance. Blast crept into the burrow. Nas wings rose in greeting. Thundercracker raised his back.

"We're ready," Blast said.

Thundercracker flicked his wing, confusion rising in his spark. They hadn't discussed anything that required preparation recently.

"Ready for what?" He asked.

"Soundwave's assessment," Blast said. "Va is six vorns. Va needs one."

"Megatron said he wouldn't do it," Thundercracker said. He still wasn't quite sure what a trine role assessment entailed, but the Winglord was supposed to conduct it. "Besides, Soundwave is…"

Thundercracker trailed off. Soundwave was an Autobot, but he'd been with the Decepticons for two vorns, steadily approaching three. He had been part of the flock for almost as long as Thundercracker had when he first found him.

Wasn't that what Thundercracker wanted? For Soundwave to be a member of the flock? But Autobots were different. They didn't have trines. Could they even form them? Did they have the protocol?

"Soundwave is seekerling," Blast said. "Just a different kind."

He was. Thundercracker said that himself. That argument was what allowed him to keep Soundwave in the first place. Still…

"Can we ask vam first?" Thundercracker said.

His plating tensed just thinking about it. When he first joined the flock, trine roles were completely foreign to him. In some ways, they still were. He just… tried not to think about it. He couldn't think about it.

His spark hurt.

"If you feel that's best," Blast said.

Thundercracker stared at Soundwave for a few moments. He needed to call him over, but his vocalizer refused to make the sounds. But Soundwave was an observant mech. Perhaps it was the telepathy, but he always seemed to know when others wanted to speak with him.

He turned around and scooted closer to Thundercracker. Windshear paused mid bite of vas meal, olfactory ridge scrunching. But as quickly as va was distracted, va returned to vas meal.

"You wanted to talk," Soundwave said.

"Yes," Thundercracker said, his wings twitching. "We…"

Soundwave knew what trine roles were. After he adjusted to living with the Seekers, he asked about them. Thundercracker modified his language packet with some notes, and Soundwave found them interesting. At the time, Thundercracker let Skywarp and Starscream explain, unable to trust himself.

"Do you want to be tested for you trine role?" Blast asked.

The air flooded with an excitement so intense that Thundercracker's plating itched.

"Yes!" Soundwave squeaked.

In that moment—with Soundwave's joy consuming the air—a realization clawed its way into Thundercracker's spark. It dug its claws into his chestplates and burrowed into his processor. Soundwave wanted this. The system he found so oppressive and distressing was one that Soundwave wanted to be a part of.

Blast smiled, leading Soundwave away. The others followed, but Thundercracker lagged behind. How could Soundwave accept all of this so easily? What was different about Thundercracker that made it so difficult for him?

He forced himself forward. This was an important moment for Soundwave. Hurting spark or not, he had to be there for him.

!!!

The test began with Soundwave in an open field. The others hovered above. Thundercracker's spark hummed anxiously, vibrating his plating. Skywarp shot him a concerned glance—his distress must've been strong enough to travel on the air—but he closed his optics and flicked his wing and wa turned away.

After a few moments, Blast gave Dirge a nod. Dirge plunged from the sky, heading straight for Soundwave. Thundercracker clenched his fists, fighting the urge to defend his sparkling. This was all part of the test.

Soundwave dodged. Dirge stalked toward him. With every step closer, Soundwave backed away. Then, Dirge pounced. Beneath kan, Soundwave went still.

Windshear's cheer pierced his audials. Blast gently placed a claw on vas nose, silencing vam. Va clung to Blast's chest, a wide grin splitting vas face.

Dirge released Soundwave, who pushed himself to his feet. Dirge nodded at him and took off, hovering in front of Blast. Ka placed a hand on kas chest.

"A Spark," Blast said. "I agree."

The group descended. When they landed, Windshear wriggled free from Blast's grasp and launched vaz at Soundwave, tackling him. Soundwave wrapped his arms around vam. Va purred.

Blast stepped forward. Gently, Soundwave pushed Windshear away. He stared up at Blast.

"Congratulations," Blast said warmly. "You're a Spark."

Joy flooded the air. Windshear launched vaz onto Soundwave again. Skywarp teleported next to them, joining in on the hug. Even Starscream cracked a grin. Cheers and shouts and purrs reached Thundercracker's audials,muffled and loud at the same time.

Soundwave pushed his—no, nas—way through the small crowd. Na paused before Thundercracker, holding out nas arms. Thundercracker knelt and embraced nam.

"Thank you for taking me in," na whispered.

Thundercracker pulled away. He stood, staring down at a mech that was more Seeker than he ever was. Soundwave could hunt, but na lacked the systems required to eat anything but the energeon of nas prey. Na couldn't fly. Yet na understood and became something Thundercracker never could.

This was an important moment for Soundwave. Thundercracker should've been proud. His spark should be warm with joy. But all that remained within him was hollow.

Thundercracker scooped up Soundwave. Na clung to him as he leapt into the air. The others followed. Yet another issue was reaching the front of his mind as Soundwave's fingers dug into the seams of his plating: someday, Soundwave would be too heavy to carry. What would happen then?

They landed. The few Seekers closest to them scattered, some hissing. Despite Thundercracker's attempts to find more allies, any he hadn't already made were reluctant to speak with him. It seemed most shared Megatron's attitude toward Soundwave, and him by extension, but none were willing to do anything about their hatred beyond avoiding them.

Just about everything had stalled—his plans, his thoughts, himself—and he didn't know what to do about it.

Windshear leaped on Soundwave as soon as na removed naz from Thundercracker. The two seekerlings wrestled. With great struggle, Soundwave managed to pin vam. Va kicked, sending na flying backward. Na landed on nas back with a surprised noise.

Windshear let out a trill that turned into a purr. Then, va pinned him and leaned in, whispering conspiratorially but much too loudly, "When I take mine, I'm gonna be a Claw! And then I'm gonna trine you!"

Thundercracker's spark burned. Did Windshear even recognize the difference between vam and Soundwave? Did Windshear even know that Soundwave might not have the trining protocol? Va would be so disappointed…

"Speaking of—" An elbow jabbed Thundercracker's side. He turned to face Skywarp, who nuzzled him. "Your Hunger's gotta be coming soon. Did you think about…?"

Cold fear gripped Thundercracker. He suppressed a shudder.

"Not this time," he said.

"That's what you said the other times!" Skywarp said.

"Most trines only court for an orn or two." Starscream's voice startled Thundercracker as ka approached from the other side of him. "Scrap, some even trine right after meeting if they happen to do so while one of them is in Hunger. We've been courting for vorns and you've gone into Hunger during all of them. The others have already noticed."

Thundercracker shook his helm. "I'm… not ready. Just give me another vorn."

"We've heard that one, too," Skywarp said. "What's the holdup? Do you not want us anymore?"

"I want you!" Thundercracker said. "I just—"

"Need more time? Yeah, right," Skywarp said. "You've had vorns. So what's the problem? Because if there wasn't one, you would've said yes already."

Thundercracker closed his optics. Since they'd linked up that first time—the only time they'd linked up—Skywarp had gotten more confident. It was a slow but steady process that took Thundercracker some time to notice. Wa still flinched at unexpected movements and shot into the sky when startled, but wa held no fear toward Thundercracker anymore.

"We just want an answer," Starscream said.

"I gave you an answer!" Thundercracker hissed. "I—"

"Tell us the truth!" Skywarp said, flicking waz wings. "Do you want to trine us or not?"

Thundercracker flinched. "I do! I do—"

"Then trine us!" Skywarp said.

"I will!" Thundercracker growled. "I will… I…"

He took a step back, shaking himself out. His spark hurt. His plating was numb. His fuel lines burned. He wanted to crawl out of his body.

"I need to go," he mumbled, taking off before the other two Seekers could reply.

!!!

Thundercracker spun, the world around him nothing but a meaningless blur. He didn't know up from down, but he knew exactly what maneuver he needed to make to pull himself out of the spin. A controlled crash, just as he'd had many times before. He landed with a heavy thud, the ground beneath him smoking. Then, he settled on the ground, closing his optics and allowing himself to become dead to the world.

The scream of a flight in the sky tore him from peaceful silence. He forced himself upward, his optics snapping open. Had they found him already?

But the shape in the sky was silver, not red nor purple. Although, small streaks of red caught Thundercracker's optics as the Seeker soared. They were slower than Starscream or even Skywarp would be, moving in a vaguely elliptical motion. They circled, then circled again. They threw in a spin here and there, but the overall pattern was the same.

Thundercracker took off, approaching the Seeker slowly. Recognition hit him as he came closer—Megatron. The Winglord slowed to a stop, then transformed into root mode.

"I-interesting flight pattern you've got there," Thundercracker stammered.

It was intended to be confident. He wanted to throw Megatron's words back at him. Instead, it was weak. Megatron's optics seared his plating. Ka grunted and turned away.

"Wait!" Thundercracker called. Megatron paused, watching him from the corner of his optic. "You… you said that you saw it in Seekers that were caged. Does that mean you were caged, too?"

Megatron raised a claw, pointing it toward Thundercracker. Then, ka pointed down. After a moment, ka descended. Thundercracker followed. When he landed, Megatron was already sitting on the ground. Ka motioned for Thundercracker to sit beside kan. Spark humming anxiously, Thundercracker obeyed.

"I was one of the first," Megatron said. "The others came after me. I woke to staring optics and the droning of laboratory equipment. I only saw the sky when I was sent out to kill."

Thundercracker knew the history—Seekers were the protectors of Cybertron, but something happened and they went rogue. For Megatron to have lived back then… ka was older than he realized.

"The Quintessons?" Thundercracker asked.

He knew about the Quintesson War, at least the broad strokes. Prowl taught him about it. Until now, he never had much interest in history, but he was starting to regret it.

"That and more," Megatron said. "When the war ended, they didn't know what to do with us, so they sold us all. A new owner didn't change anything for me. I was still locked away, and only let out when they wanted to make shanix."

But ka was here now…

"How did you escape?" Thundercracker asked.

Megatron shook kas helm. "I didn't. A law was passed that made the fight rings illegal. In an effort to escape arrest, I was dumped on the street. My master may have planned to come back for me, but I would never know. I left."

Thundercracker didn't know how to respond. He didn't know if Megatron wanted a response.

"I realized then who the ultimate enemy was," Megatron said, leaning kas helm back to stare at the sky. "I spent so long fighting beneath the Autobots when I should have been fighting against them. Despite their gadgets and technologies, they are weak. They resort to dishonorable tactics like poison and external weapons to get their way because they cannot counter our strength. Do you understand?"

The Autobots had abused and mistreated Megatron and those ka knew. But Megatron wasn't citing that as the reason for kas desire to eliminate them—ka was highlighting their weakness. Was being controlled by beings ka perceived as weak worse to kan than the vorns of mistreatment?

"I understand that the Autobots hurt you," Thundercracker said. "But I don't—"

"They didn't hurt me!" Megatron hissed. "They deceived me. Manipulated me. But I see the truth now. Seekers are more powerful than them. They are merely a new kind of prey, and don't deserve the power they wield."

Thundercracker could object. Thundercracker could defend the Autobots, but he wasn't alive when all of this happened. He could tell Megatron that ka was wrong—they shouldn't destroy the Autobots just because they were weaker—but all it would result in was getting pinned to the ground. He knew that now. To disagree with Megatron was to challenge kan.

Megatron stood, kas shadow falling over Thundercracker.

"You're strong," ka said. "Don't waste that strength."

Ka took off, leaving Thundercracker alone with kas words. The meadow quieted. The dormant fire within Thundercracker's spark renewed itself. There was no reasoning with Megatron, as much as he didn't want to admit it. Removing him from power was the only path forward. He had already waited too long.

But first, he had to complete his trine. No matter how much the idea made his spark race, Starscream and Skywarp were right. He had made them wait too long. The other Seekers noticed, and that made executing his plan even more difficult than it had to be.

It was time to get to work.

!!!

Despite his determination, Thundercracker's plating was tense as he entered the burrow. Starscream and Skywarp sat on opposite sides of it, distinctly looking away from each other. Between them was Soundwave, who stared down at nas lap. Tension hung on the air, swirling with anger and irritation.

What happened while Thundercracker was away? He shook himself. Whatever it was, they would need to work it out.

"Soundwave," he said, waiting for the mentioned mech to look up. "Can you go see Blast? I need to talk to Skywarp and Starscream."

Soundwave nodded and got up. Thundercracker waited for nam to exit the burrow before turning back toward the others. Starscream's wings were high, quivering slightly. There was a trace of energeon on kas cheek. Thundercracker followed it, finding a small scratch.

Skywarp stared back at Thundercracker, wings high. Wa leaned back against the walls of the nest, plating relaxed—a complete contrast to Starscream's demeanor. As Thundercracker continued to stare, wa flicked waz wings and frowned.

How should he begin this?

"We're sorry," Skywarp said. "We—"

"I didn't do anything wrong!" Starscream hissed.

Skywarp glared at kan, widening waz wings. Starscream lowered kas and closed kas optics.

"We didn't mean to upset you," Skywarp said. "We pushed too hard."

Thundercracker shook his helm.

"No," he said. "You were right. I made you wait too long."

Skywarp sat up. "Does that mean…?"

"Yes," Thundercracker said. "I want to trine you, and we're going to do it when I go into Data Hunger."

Before he could even process the movement, Skywarp launched waz at him, wrapping waz arms around him. Waz claws dug into his plating as wa purred. Wa nuzzled him, joy invading the air. Thundercracker returned the embrace.

He had to do this, Thundercracker reminded himself. It was only fair to them. If that made him just a Spark forever, then so be it. He could live with that. He wasn't not a Spark, after all.

He could just be half of himself.

!!!

Thundercracker's cycle—as he had eventually learned—was startlingly consistent and short. Once a vorn was not the typical frequency of Data Hunger, if Sunstorm was telling the truth. Skywarp went into it only once since he met wan, and wa was inconsolable. Starscream hadn't entered it at all, and cited kas fuel processing issues when pressed. Apparently, ka had only entered Data Hunger once in kas entire lifetime.

Enduring Data Hunger so frequently gave Thundercracker plenty of experience with the signs. The restlessness had already started—that horrible crawling feeling, a tenseness throughout his entire body—and he knew what to expect. Soon, he wouldn't want to leave the nest anymore.

Constantly, he fought to keep his wings still, not wanting his trinemates-to-be to pick up on the signs just yet. He justified it to himself over and over—they'd notice soon, but he just wanted a little more time. Each cycle passed the same as the ones before—they woke, Soundwave practiced hunting, they ate, and so on.

Thundercracker picked between Starscream's seams absentmindedly. As always, Starscream remained still and pliant. Thundercracker still didn't know why, not that he ever asked. When he groomed Skywarp, wa didn't go still. When Thrust groomed nas trinemates, they didn't go still, either.

"You're gonna give kan seam rub," Skywarp said, pulling Thundercracker from his thoughts.

He startled, withdrawing his hands. Beneath him, the seams of Starscream's wings were scratched, some of the paint missing from the edges. Skywarp leaned over kan.

"Oh," wa said. "Too late."

Starscream looked up, flicking kas wings. Thundercracker scrunched his olfactory ridge.

"Why didn't you say anything?" He asked.

Starscream rose to kas knees. Ka shook kas wings out and flexed them.

"I can take it," ka said.

"What?"

Thundercracker hadn't been trying to do anything. What was there for Starscream to take?

Skywarp snickered, poking Starscream in the side of the helm. "Na isn't punishing you. Na just got distracted."

Starscream swatted at wan, but before kas claws could land, Skywarp withdrew waz hand. Wa bared waz dentae. Starscream lowered kas wings.

"Please say something next time," Thundercracker said. "I don't want to hurt you."

Starscream stared at him, the air swarming with a feeling that Thundercracker couldn't put a name to. They had courted for vorns, yet sometimes Skywarp and Starscream—especially Starscream—seemed to forget that he didn't know everything about being a Seeker. They still ran into moments like these frequently, where Thundercracker would take an action only to later learn that it was interpreted in a way he didn't intend.

"Claws protect and serve," Starscream said. "You should punish me how you see fit."

"It wasn't a punishment!" Thundercracker snapped. How did ka not understand that? "And even if I did want to punish you, it wouldn't be like that. I would tell you. We would talk it out first."

"I'm strong," Starscream hissed. "Don't coddle me."

Thundercracker let frustration get the better of him. He tapped Starscream on the top of the helm. Ka froze.

"There," Thundercracker said. "That was for making me mad. Happy now?"

Starscream continued to stare ahead blankly. Thundercracker sighed.

"Look," he said. "I'm not coddling you. That's just how I want to do things."

"Okay," Starscream mumbled.

The group fell back into routine. Thundercracker moved on to Skywarp, this time careful not to overgroom anyone. Windshear complained as usual when Blast groomed vam. Thrust and nas trinemates settled into the group, bringing a sizeable haul of carcasses.

Ramjet paused before Starscream and snorted. "Nice wings you've got there."

Starscream growled quietly.

"What'd you do to piss nam off?" Ramjet said, leaning forward.

Starscream reached up, swiping at the tip of Ramjet's olfactory ridge. Wa stumbled backward. "You—!"

"It was an accident," Thundercracker said.

Ramjet glanced at him. Then, wa hummed, settling beside waz trinemates. When they finished grooming, the group shared the carcasses. After they finished with that, they lounged in the sun as Windshear and Soundwave played, Soundwave's pets flying between them.

Windshear pinned Soundwave, but Soundwave wriggled out from beneath vam. The shing of a blade drew his attention for a moment. Starscream had a rock in kas hands that ka ran over one of kas swords, sharpening it. Thundercracker turned back toward the seekerlings.

Windshear would begin learning to hunt soon. Va could deal a killing blow just fine with vas teeth, but holding onto prey was an entirely different problem. Maybe…

"Where did you get those from, anyway?" Thundercracker asked Starscream.

Starscream held the sword up to the light, turning it. When ka was satisfied, ka put it away and pulled out the other.

"I was born with them," ka said.

Thundercracker should have guessed. He was born with his rays, after all. But for some reason, being born with wing swords hadn't crossed his mind.

"What happens if they break?" Thundercracker asked. "Or if you lose them?"

Starscream ran the rock over the blade. Ka didn't look up as ka spoke.

"I haven't lost or broken them yet," ka said. "And I don't ever intend to. But I suppose the special program I have tucked away somewhere would generate new ones if I ran it. Why are you asking?"

An idea was forming in Thundercracker's helm, but Starscream's biting tone and subtly defensive posture made him rethink it. Despite kas claims that the swords might grow back if lost, ka clearly cared deeply for them. If Thundercracker asked kan to give them up…

"I was just thinking about Windshear," Thundercracker mumbled. "Va will need something to help vam hold onto prey when va learns to hunt."

"Not my swords," Starscream growled, dentae poking out from beneath kas lips.

Irritation bit at Thundercracker. He hadn't even asked!

"No," Thundercracker said. "I was just wondering if you might know how to make weapons, but it seems like you don't."

Starscream sheathed kas sword and glared at him. Thundercracker sat taller and flared his wings. Lowering kas, Starscream looked away. Thundercracker sighed.

So, Starscream really didn't know. Blast and Skywarp didn't have weapons. Neither did Thrust's trine. They likely didn't know how to make them, either.

"I've seen Nacelle with daggers," Starscream muttered.

Thundercracker fought not to hiss. "Nacelle?"

"Yes," Starscream said. "They were crude and ugly, but daggers nonetheless. Ka wasn't born with daggers, so ka must've made them. Ka is always desperate to feel useful, so perhaps if you asked kan…"

Starscream trailed off, tilting kas helm. Thundercracker was still attempting to get control of himself. Nacelle? Of all Seekers? That lying, selfish scrapheap?

Then, Starscream's words sank in. Thundercracker's mind began to turn at the implications. When Nacelle tried to court him, ka made some sort of metal trinket. It made sense that ka would put that ability to use elsewhere. If ka was desperate to feel useful like Starscream said…

Well, was Nacelle truly a selfish scrapheap if that was what ka was taught? If it was what was expected of kan?

Despite Thundercracker's misgivings, taking out Megatron would require the support of any ally they could obtain. If that meant sucking it up and speaking with Nacelle, then so be it.

!!!

Prowl caught Bumblebee in the halls. His doors twitched as he approached—an odd little impulse that led to his name. Others likened him to a cybee for the flutterlike twitches of his doors. Prowl didn't see it, but he did understand the other reason for the comparison: he was the exact same shades of yellow and black as a cybee.

"Prowl," he said, slowing his pace. He fidgeted, nearly stopping. "Do you need anything?"

"I just want to talk," Prowl said.

Bumblebee may have been young, but he was clever. He paused, leaning against the wall, and scrutinized him.

"Just talk, sir?" He said.

Prowl's spark spun anxiously. He had to weave this carefully. He could already imagine the chances of failure rising, but he refused to let himself calculate the odds.

"In truth, I am concerned about someone you seem close to," he said. Bumblebee's optics widened. He leaned in, not out—a good sign. "Have you spoken with Optimus lately?"

"Only a few cycles ago," he said. "I invited him to refuel but he refused and I haven't seen nor heard from him since."

"That is precisely what I'm concerned about," Prowl said.

Bumblebee's doors twitched. He pursed his lips. This close, Prowl could identify concern on the air. He had him.

"You don't think…?" He mumbled.

"I am uncertain of what to think," Prowl said.

Bumblebee turned in the other direction. Prowl kept pace with him as he walked through the halls, heading for Optimus's room. He stopped at the door, sending Prowl an anxious glance before knocking.

No response. He knocked again. Then again.

What could Optimus possibly be doing? Prowl reached past Bumblebee and entered his override code, cause now provided. The door chimed and slid open. Bumblebee slipped through, nearly sliding into the middle of the room. Prowl entered after him.

On the berth was Optimus. 78% likelihood he was recharging. Prowl shook his shoulder. His optics powered on, dim and fuzzy but present. He turned to stare at Prowl, squinting.

"Optimus!" Bumblebee said.

Optimus blinked, turning toward Bumblebee.

"Oh," he said quietly. "Hey, Bee."

His fans ran fast, filling the room with a quiet whirr. Prowl hovered a hand over one of them, quickly withdrawing it when heat touched his fingertips.

"You must have a virus," Prowl said. "Your temperature is elevated."

Optimus hummed. Plans formed in Prowl's mind. He turned toward Bumblebee.

"Why don't you fetch Ratchet?" Prowl said. "I believe he's on break right now, so he won't respond to comms."

It was a lie. Ratchet always responded to comms. But Bumblebee didn't know Ratchet as well as he did. Bumblebee nodded, darting out of the room. Prowl waited for the door to shut before turning back toward Optimus.

"We need to talk," Prowl said.

Optimus sat up with a quiet groan.

"Sure," he muttered. "Do you have any energeon on you? I'm low."

Prowl did. His own ration, which he had forgotten to consume. He pulled it out and offered it to Optimus, who popped it open and took a sip.

"This is about my village," Optimus said, optics meeting Prowl's. At Prowl's silence, he added, "Am I wrong?"

"You're correct," Prowl said. "Something doesn't add up. I'm giving you the opportunity to confess before I conduct a formal investigation. It will make everything easier for the both of us."

Optimus took a long sip. "Confess to what?"

"Sabotaging the routes," Prowl said. "I don't understand your motive, but you're one of the only mecha who was in a position to do it."

Optimus placed the cube on the berth and glared.

"You can't understand my motive because there wasn't one," he said. "I didn't sabotage the routes. Do you think I wanted to harm my community? To lead all of those mecha to their deaths? I swore a vow to protect them and I failed, but it was not because I decided to."

The air between them was angry, sharp like a thrashing whip. Despite his illness, Optimus sat tall, fingers digging into the berthcovers. He meant this.

Prowl reran the calculations. The probabilities dropped. Another, much more concerning one rose. Prowl hadn't failed to consider it before, but he had dismissed it. Now, it stared him in the face. Optimus lived because Thundercracker let him go, not because of any grand plan. Any idea that implicated Optimus would also implicate Thundercracker, and Prowl knew he would never do something like this.

The orders came directly from the Magnus's aides. Someone close to The Magnus was behind this. This compromise could be high in Autobot command. Prowl would need more proof.

The door slid open before he could voice his thoughts. Ratchet came through, grumbling about being interrupted. Prowl caught Optimus's optics before turning away.

They would need to speak again. This was bigger than Prowl realized.

Nacelle wasn't difficult to find. Ka always sat in the same spot—a spot that Thundercracker avoided to the best of his abilities. Just taking a step toward it was difficult. But Thundercracker had to—for both Windshear and his mission.

Nacelle looked up, kas wings rising slightly, as Thundercracker approached. The dagger in kas hands shone in the light. Thundercracker fought a shudder, trying not to imagine it sinking into his plating. Rays needed time to charge, but blades did not.

Thundercracker knelt in front of kan. He kept his wings low and his voice quiet. Despite that, the stares of the other Seekers in the valley burned his plating.

"I have something to ask you," he said.

Nacelle's wings fluttered as ka straightened kaz. Ka stared at Thundercracker, optics not quite meeting his.

"What is it?" Ka said quietly. "Did you change your mind about—"

"No!" Thundercracker hissed, his plating flaring before he could stop it. Nacelle flared kas wings in response. Thundercracker forced his plating to lie flat and softened his voice. "No, that's not what this is about. I need your help."

Nacelle's wings relaxed back into a neutral position. "With what?"

"I need a custom weapon made," Thundercracker said. He paused, gauging Nacelle's reaction. Kas optics widened, kas wings raising. The air tingled with anticipation. Thundercracker continued. "Blast's seekerling—Windshear—needs something to help vam hold onto prey."

A smile formed on Nacelle's face.

"You're the first Seeker to take an interest in that," ka said.

Thundercracker flicked his wing, fighting a twinge of irritation. He shouldn't have been so angry, but all he could think about when he was near Nacelle was when Skywarp was hurt, even though vorns had passed.

"Can you do it?" He asked.

Nacelle sheathed kas dagger and placed it into kas cockpit.

"Of course," ka said. "But I'll need a few things from your first."

Thundercracker expected that.

"What do you need?"

Nacelle grinned at him. "Supplies, permission to examine vam to make sure everything is properly sized and to vas liking. That sort of thing."

"That's fine," Thundercracker said. "Just let us know what you need and we'll provide it."

"I will."

Supplies didn't include food, and Nacelle never asked for it, but Windshear was a generous seekerling. No one stopped vam when va offered Nacelle a place beside vam after ka fitted the straps that would fasten the weapon to vas arms. And if Nacelle continued to come back even during moments when ka wasn't working on Windshear's weapons, well… no one kicked kan out.

The first time it happened, Starscream turned toward Thundercracker, a wide grin splitting kas face. Thundercracker smiled back. Maybe Nacelle wasn't so bad after all—at least when ka wasn't actively attempting to court Thundercracker.

!!!

The moment Thundercracker woke, he knew he couldn't hide it anymore. His claws sank into the leaves that lined the nest. His plating crawled. His spark turned rapidly, the ball of anxiety in his chest refusing to let him rise. Still, he forced himself to stretch, then gently shook Soundwave awake.

Nas visor powered up with a quiet hum. Na tilted nas helm.

"Can you go visit Blast or Thrust?" Thundercracker whispered. "We're going to be busy for a while."

Soundwave wasn't a stranger to this. Na nodded, carefully extracting naz from between Thundercracker and Skywarp. Despite nas carefulness, Skywarp stirred awake with a tired grumble. By the time waz optics finally opened, Soundwave was already gone.

"'Sup?" Wa mumbled.

Thundercracker sighed and prodded Starscream awake. Ka jolted with a startled noise. Vacant but wide-eyed, Starscream blinked for a few moments before orienting kaz.

"It started," Thundercracker said. "A few cycles ago, actually—"

"And you didn't tell us?" Skywarp said, waz olfactory ridge crinkling.

Starscream scoffed. "Na was hiding it."

It wasn't a question. The air on Starscream's side of the burrow was completely calm. Had ka known the whole time?

The air around Skywarp grew sharp. Wa chewed waz lip as if fighting not to bare waz dentae. Then, wa stood up.

"Let's go," wa said, motioning toward Starscream.

After a moment of hesitation, Starscream rose. Ka glanced at Thundercracker, then back toward Skywarp.

"Where?" Ka said.

"Hunting," Skywarp said.

Starscream glanced at Thundercracker again. "Shouldn't one of us…?"

"We need something large enough to feed all three of us," Skywarp said. "You can't carry that back on your own."

Starscream's claws curled. Kas plating tensed. Then, as quickly as it tensed, it fell, kas wings drooping with it.

"Fine," ka hissed.

The two left the burrow. The knot in Thundercracker's chest tightened, collapsing in on itself. It turned into a hole that sucked everything inside, leaving him hollow. They were angry at him. He knew they would be.

Had they changed their minds? Were they going to leave him here? Alone?

He dug his claws into the leaves that lined the nest. They crunched beneath his hands. Closing his optics, he blocked out everything else around him, only able to focus on the fear in his spark.

If they left him, what would he do?

He knew part of it was Data Hunger. His frame wanted his potential mates close by. But that wasn't the only cause of his fear. After leaving behind everything he knew, Skywarp was the first one to reach out to him. Wa offered kindness and something to hold onto while he floundered. If Skywarp was a tree rooted still in the eye for a storm, Starscream was the opposite—a flowing river that he coasted down, always heading forward. Ka encouraged him even when the odds seemed impossible.

After a thousand moments, a thud startled Thundercracker. He opened his optics with a jolt. Before him laid the body of a ferrowolf. It was more than enough for that day and even the next. But all Thundercracker could focus on was that they had come back.

The air was thick with tension. Skywarp's plating was relaxed despite it. Wa settled on the other side of the ferrowolf and began carving it. Starscream entered the burrow next. Kas wings quivered, kas plating snapped tight.

Kas optics landed on Thundercracker. Ka scrambled forward, nearly falling into Thundercracker's side. Repeatedly, ka nuzzled him. A purr rumbled from kas chest, but it was nothing like the contented purrs Starscream made in the past. It was quick, high-pitched, and desperate.

Despite Starscream's odd behavior, relief crashed into Thundercracker. If Starscream was snuggling him like this, then they didn't plan to leave. He pulled Starscream closer, purring back to kan. Kas purrs slowed as ka pressed into him, slowly becoming more typical.

"You hid that you were in Hunger from us."

Skywarp's voice was firmer than Thundercracker had ever heard it. Wa stared down at him, lips pressed into a line.

"I'm sorry," Thundercracker said. "I was scared."

Skywarp's wings lowered. Wa frowned. The air wasn't filled with sadness nor anger.

"Why?" Skywarp said.

Thundercracker couldn't tell wan. Thundercracker couldn't tell anyone. It would ruin everything.

"This is all new to me," he lied. "Remember?"

Skywarp slumped. Wa closed waz optics, hanging waz helm, and sighed. Then, wa came forward, sitting beside him.

"We'll be there for you," wa said softly. "No matter what. Even if you're scared. Even if we're scared. That's what trine is."

In that moment, Thundercracker was tempted to just tell them. If that was true, they would accept him. He wouldn't need to hide it. But fear gripped his spark and sent him a reminder: Skywarp had courted him because wa thought he was a Spark. If wa learned he was more than that, would wa still want him?

It was better to stay quiet.

Skywarp nuzzled him. "Just… tell us next time, okay? No more hiding things."

"No more hiding things," Thundercracker repeated.

If they never found out, they'd never be upset. He loved them. He loved this. He didn't want to ruin it.

"Should we do it now?" Thundercracker asked.

It was better to get it over with before he grew too anxious. But Skywarp shook waz helm and motioned toward the ferrowolf.

"Let's eat first," wa said.

So, they ate. Thundercracker struggled despite the lowness of his fuel gauge. Anxiety kept him from enjoying the meal, only worsened by the typical restlessness Data Hunger caused. But eventually, his trinemates-to-be ate their fill. Skywarp tucked the remains of the ferrowolf in the corner of the nest for later.

"Ready?" Wa asked softly.

Thundercracker nodded, opening both of his wrist panels. Skywarp and Starscream did the same. They sat in a loose circle. Each handed the one next to them their cord. Thundercracker plugged Skywarp's in, then Starscream's, and let his firewalls down.

The expected spark packet request came through, but was paused almost immediately by another: Two connections detected! Engage trining protocol?

Thundercracker confirmed it. The protocol powered up. The spark packet request was canceled—the trining protocol was the only way to cancel an ongoing spark packet request besides disconnecting.

[Listening for synchronization key.]

"Synchronization key?" Thundercracker said.

Starscream and Skywarp exchanged glances. Starscream flicked kas wings. Skywarp flicked waz back. With a sigh, Starscream relented.

"The song of your spark," ka said. "Or whatever other sentimental scrap they call it. Just close your optics, relax, and sing."

Sing? Thundercracker hadn't ever sung before…

Prowl had, a few times. Thundercracker would creep into his room for one reason or another—usually to complain about the cold—and freeze. A voice would drift through the air, soft and melodic. Prowl was the only one in the room besides him, but it was hard to believe it came from him.

Prowl always stopped when he noticed Thundercracker was there, but he never forgot the sound. He called upon those memories now, letting the same sounds sail from his vocalizer. But as they exited, they twisted into something new and yet the same—a melody in a different key.

A voice joined his own, but quickly disappeared, as if hesitating. Then, it returned, gradually growing louder as it provided an accompaniment for his melody. When its volume finally matched his, a third voice joined in. It was loud, clashing with his at first, as if trying to dominate. But it quickly sank behind both his and the other voice, and created beautiful countermelody.

[Synchronization key obtained!]

The notification came through, but Thundercracker continued to sing. Starscream and Skywarp continued with him. His cooling fans clicked on, the trining protocol straining his frame. Messages streamed through his processor too quickly for him to read them as the program established links.

Then, everything stopped.

[Select trine role:]

Thundercracker's fuel lines froze. His vocalizer cut out abruptly. Starscream and Skywarp's songs trailed to a stop.

"It's a drop down menu."

Thundercracker opened his optics. Skywarp stared back at him. Starscream's optics were still closed, kas helm buried in Thundercracker's side.

"It's a drop down menu," Thundercracker repeated, as if that would force it to make any more sense.

Skywarp's wings twitched. "So?"

Did wa know? Did they all know? This entire time, all of this was predicated on a drop down menu? A menu that only allowed three exclusive choices?

This wasn't real. The roles weren't even real—just some stupid things made up to justify entries on a drop down menu. Spark-Claws weren't real. Thundercracker wasn't real. He was just defective after all. He knew he was. Why had he ever believed he wasn't? It was all just some fantasy he made up to feel better about himself.

He was defective. And stupid. And defective. Something in his helm wasn't right. He knew that. He'd always known. But here was irrefutable proof.

Defective. He wanted to crawl out of his body. Defective. If he dug his claws in, could he peel it all away? Defective, defective…

Something against his plating vibrated. Defective. A rumble traveled to his audials. Defective. His claws scraped at his own plating. Defective, defective. It stung.

"Hey."

Muffled. Quiet. He could barely hear. Defective. He was trapped in his own body. Why couldn't he get out? Defective. He just wanted to get out! Why couldn't he just get out? Defective, defective—

"Thundercracker."

The voice was calm. Familiar. Out, out out! There was a weight against his chest. Defective! Claws gently peeled his own away, taking his hands in theirs. Why couldn't he just—!

Shapes faded into view, but Thundercracker had been seeing the whole time. He just wasn't comprehending. Defective… A hand gently squeezed his. He squeezed it back. The weight against him was identifiable—Starscream's helm was buried in his shoulder. Why…

"What's going on?"

Skywarp's voice came from his other side. It was waz hands that held his.

"I—" Thundercracker's voice dissolved into static. "I don't know."

Starscream nuzzled him. Thundercracker closed his optics and focused on Starscream's purrs until they were the only thing in existence. When he opened his optics, Starscream and Skywarp were still there, waiting.

"I'm okay now," Thundercracker said, sitting slightly straighter. "Let's get back to… this."

Skywarp's brow furrowed. "Are you sure? That was really scary."

Thundercracker didn't want to scare wan. He wasn't exactly in control of whatever that was. It was as if his processor was hijacked. Maybe it had been. But he was in control of it now.

"I want to do this," he said.

Right now, before he had the chance to think about it. Before he had the chance to change his mind. Because he had to, and because he wanted to. He wanted to spend his life with Skywarp and Starscream, even if it meant…

Thundercracker selected Spark and hit confirm. It didn't matter anymore. None of it meant anything.

[Awaiting trine role data…]

[Data received! Confirming link…]

Thundercracker's fans slowed. The protocol began shutting down.

[Link confirmed. Activating…]

[Link activated.]

The program terminated itself. Skywarp and Starscream's cables were ejected automatically. Thundercracker's cables wound back into their places before his wrist panel snapped shut.

A new array of commands was available to him. He selected one just to see what it did. Data streamed into his processor.

[ID: STSC

VCR: 15 CPK

SCR: 32 RPK

FL: 42%—]

He cut it off there. All he really knew what to do with out of that was FL, the fuel level. Hadn't Starscream just eaten? He stared at kan.

Ka scowled. "Don't look at me like that."

Thundercracker huffed. He tried another command. This one brought up a prompt for input. A message appeared. Well, not quite appeared—it was more like Thundercracker felt a message.

[{ID:SKWP} hey]

Thundercracker sent a message back.

[{ID:THCR} Hey]

Another came in.

[{ID:STSC} I see you two finally found the trinelink.]

[{ID:THCR} Finally? We've only been linked for a couple of kliks]

[{ID:STSC} You have an excuse. Skywarp doesn't. It's not that hard to run a couple of commands you've heard about repeatedly for your entire life.]

[{ID:SKWP} eat slag]

[{ID:STSC} Only if you do it first.]

"Stop it," Thundercracker hissed.

Skywarp and Starscream both startled. Starscream recovered first.

"Wa started it!" Ka said.

"No," Thundercracker said, gently tapping Starscream on the helm. "You insulted wan first."

Thundercracker thought they got along better than this. Were they just good at hiding it? And now they had a commlink to insult each other whenever they wanted…

Starscream growled quietly and buried kaz deeper into Thundercracker's side. With everything in him screaming for his trinemates to stay close, the contact was reassuring, but the more rational part of his processor pegged it as odd. Starscream typically wasn't affectionate unless ka felt like scrap.

"Are you okay?" Thundercracker asked.

"I'm not the one that just got caught in a bad loop," Starscream said.

Thundercracker reached up and stroked the edge of Starscream's wing. "Answer me."

Starscream growled quietly again. Ka shifted onto kas back so ka could stare up at Thundercracker.

"I'm fine," ka said. "It's nothing I'm not used to."

Thundercracker hooked an arm behind Starscream. He wrapped it around and rested it around Starscream's waist, just barely touching kas belly. But it was enough for ka to hiss and shift away, swatting his hand.

Of course.

"I understand you're in pain, but you can't take it out on Skywarp," Thundercracker said. "We're a trine now, and trines work together. We can't work together if we're mad at each other."

Starscream rolled kas optics but didn't protest. Thundercracker's plating slackened in relief. It was over. He had trined Starscream and Skywarp.

Tiredness washed over him. He closed his optics. As he slipped into recharge, Skywarp's weight pressed against his other side.

!!!

Thundercracker's Data Hunger ended shortly after that, cut multiple cycles by the act of trining. Starscream and Skywarp seemed to expect it, but for Thundercracker, it was a welcome surprise. Despite the new commands, little changed between them. After all, they had already been together for vorns. This just made it recognized by others.

A new layer hummed beneath the signals other Seekers emitted, which Thundercracker slowly recognized as a beacon broadcasting their status as trined. Trinemates had matching beacons. He couldn't feel his own field, but the extra layer in Skywarp and Starscream's fields brought him comfort, and he knew his must have been the same.

Idle chatter filled the space where food couldn't—vague remarks about the weather and presence of prey. They had retaken a particularly lucrative stretch of land recently, which allowed them to spend less time searching for prey and more time together. Even Starscream couldn't protest Megatron's choice to fight for that particular location.

In front of him, Thrust leaned into Ramjet, purring, as na ate. Thundercracker wondered if na would try for another seekerling if na went into Hunger. His spark hurt thinking about the loss of nas newspark, even though it had been vorns. He could only imagine how Thrust felt about it.

He brought a hand to his chest, the other slowly sinking to the ground, as he thought about his own newspark. He hadn't lost that one—he didn't give himself the opportunity to. Va would've been only a handful of decacycles now…

If va would have survived. At the time, the newspark's death seemed inevitable. But Windshear had survived. Maybe his newspark could have as well.

"Like that," Nacelle said.

Windshear's wings fluttered as va pulled a set of straps on with vas teeth. The blades attached to the other end of them shone in the light. Carefully avoiding them, Nacelle adjusted the straps until the claws sat flush to the ends of Windshear's arms. Soundwave leaned in, watching closely as Windshear turned them.

Both Soundwave and Nacelle leaned away as Windshear swiped the empty air. Va giggled, a grin spreading across vas face. It was only a matter of time before va would be hunting and flying. Blast already told Thundercracker that va had managed to hover while he was still hiding away in the burrow during his Hunger. He wished he didn't miss it.

Thundercracker's spark hurt. He fought not to show it, but he must've failed, because he caught Skywarp watching him. Wa looked away, wings lowering slightly.

"Um," wa said. "Are you… okay? You seem a bit…"

Thundercracker sighed, pulling his hand away from his chest. "I'm fine."

He never told Skywarp about the newspark. If Starscream hadn't been there, then none of his trinemates would know. Starscream was supportive—ka was the one who fought for Thundercracker to be allowed to make the choice—but that didn't mean Thundercracker would have wanted kan to know if he had the ability to keep kan from it. Killing a newspark was wrong, whether to spare vam from future suffering or not.

Skywarp wasn't convinced. Waz concern drifted through the air. Thundercracker wished he could tell wan. He knew wa wouldn't be upset by it the way he was. But he just couldn't.

"Would you ever consider siring a newspark?" Thundercracker asked instead. "Not right now. Just… someday."

Skywarp's wings drooped. "It's not safe. And I wouldn't know what to do."

"But would you want to?" Thundercracker said, trying not to let the disappointment leak into his voice. He knew it wasn't safe, but some irrational part of him wished wa would just say yes.

Skywarp looked away.

"Maybe," wa said quietly. "When it's safer."

Thundercracker turned toward Starscream. Ka paused mid-pour of kas powder, tipping the container up without even looking at it.

"I can't," Starscream said.

Starscream had said that before. But it wasn't the answer to what he asked. Perhaps ka couldn't carry because of kas condition, but siring took a lot less resources. When they trined, kas systems accepted his spark packet request just fine, so what would stop kan?

There were a lot of possible answers, but Thundercracker doubted Starscream would give any of them, so he settled for just one.

"Do you want to?" Thundercracker said.

Starscream turned away, pouring the powder into kas mouth. Ka licked the remains of it from kas hands, moving more slowly than Thundercracker had seen kan in the past, as if stalling.

"I'll raise any newspark you carry," ka said.

It still wasn't an answer, but it was close enough. Thundercracker forced himself to let it go. Really, he received the answer he wanted—both of them were open to newsparks in the future. Still…

What would his newspark have looked like? Would they be timid and quiet like Skywarp, or bold like him? The weight of a tiny seekerling on his chest flashed in his mind. Windshear was so big now, and he had never known Soundwave while na was that size. He missed having a seekerling so young around.

Movement caught his optics. A stare burned into his plating. He followed it. Thrust beckoned him. After a quick glance toward Starscream and Skywarp to ensure they knew he was getting up, Thundercracker approached Thrust. Thrust motioned for him to sit, and then with a flick of nas wing, sent nas trinemates away.

"What's going on?" Thundercracker asked.

"I should be asking you that," Thrust said. "I could feel your sadness from all the way over here. Neither of your trinemates seemed willing to approach it, so I figured as the only mech with bearings in our little flock, I'd address it."

"It's nothing," Thundercracker said quickly.

Because it was nothing. It had to be.

"It's clearly something," Thrust said. "Otherwise you wouldn't be staring at Windshear like a kicked cyberpup and clutching your chestplates."

Thundercracker shool his helm. "It really is nothing—"

"Did you lose a newspark?" Thrust said, nas voice steady and confident.

Thundercracker's wings drooped. He did, in a way. But he'd chosen to lose it.

"You did," Thrust whispered, nas brow furrowing.

"No," Thundercracker said. The words struggled to leave his vocalizer. "I—I got rid of it. It was that or…"

"Or risk vam dying," Thrust said.

Thundercracker looked away and closed his optics. He spared his newspark suffering, but he still killed it. How could anyone look at him the same way after that?

"How far along?" Thrust asked.

Thundercracker still couldn't look at nam. "A couple of orns."

It was barely a dent in the time a carriage truly took. The egg didn't emerge from the spark chamber until a full vorn. It stayed in the storage chamber, developing internally, for two more.

"That's early," Thrust said. "The early orns are always the hardest."

The newspark would draw the most from their dam's spark during that time, with it being nothing but a little spark chamber. All of its energy had to come from the dam, since it would have no energy producing systems of its own.

"I wouldn't know," Thundercracker mumbled.

"You do know," Thrust said. "At least a little bit. My first two carriages were difficult. One of them took me right out of the sky. Dirge had to catch me."

Thundercracker finally looked up. Thrust had a smile on nas face. Nas optics were focused somewhere far away. There were no seekerlings here. Thrust was only a decavorn or so older than him. They wouldn't have had time to grow up.

Had na lost them all?

"You had others?" Thundercracker asked quietly.

"Just the two," Thrust said, the air around them growing heavy as nas optics refocused. "But I'm going to keep trying. One of them will live someday."

Didn't it hurt to lose them? How could Thrust keep trying when na had already lost three? Just the thought of losing a newspark was enough to make Thundercracker terminate his. It was better to be in control of his newspark's death than to allow it to happen when it could feel pain and fear.

"I hope one does," Thundercracker said quietly.

And he meant it. His gaze was drawn toward the hill. Above everything sat Megatron, kas silver plating gleaming as ka glared at the Seekers below. Ka shifted, turned kas helm toward Thundercracker. Though Thundercracker glared back, the distance was too far—Megatron wouldn't know he was looking.

Thundercracker woke to muffled cries. Next to him, Skywarp held Soundwave close as Soundwave whined, nas plating shaking. Skywarp nuzzled nam.

"I—it's okay," wa whispered. "We're all okay. Please go back to sleep."

Thundercracker's other side was empty. Starscream must have gotten up. Scooting closer, Thundercracker wrapped his arms tightly around Soundwave and Skywarp. Slowly, the shaking subsided, and with it, Soundwave's cries.

Thundercracker waited until he was sure na was asleep before speaking.

"What happened?" He asked.

Skywarp's wings twitched. "I think I woke nam up."

Soundwave wasn't the kind of sparkling that cried frequently. There had to be more to it than that.

"Are you sure?" Thundercracker asked.

Wa averted waz gaze. "I had a nightmare. Na woke up right after I did. I think na could feel my fear and it scared nam."

That made sense. Thundercracker checked the air. Though it was faint, the tingle of fear was present. He shifted his arm, petting the top of Skywarp's helm. Wa closed waz optics.

"My sires didn't want me," Skywarp mumbled.

Thundercracker nuzzled wan, careful not to wake Soundwave up again. "Was that what it was about?"

"Yes," Skywarp said. "No. Not really. But it reminded me of them. When I said I wouldn't know what to do if we had seekerlings…"

Skywarp paused, waz wings flexing.

"I never really had sires," wa said. "That's why I wouldn't know. They left my dam when I developed my ability. They thought I was too much trouble."

Thundercracker had been loved. Somewhat distantly, but he had been loved. He had Prowl, and Ratchet, and Bulkhead, and Arcee…

Skywarp had waz dam, and then lost everything when waz flock was killed. Thundercracker could return to his Autobots and be welcomed. Skywarp had nowhere else to go.

"You'd be a great sire," Thundercracker said.

It was the truth.

Skywarp smiled weakly, but as silence stretched between them, waz smile fell. Wa stared down at Soundwave.

"I wouldn't know," wa said quietly.

Thundercracker gestured toward Soundwave. Na clung to Skywarp even in sleep.

"Look," he said. "If you weren't a good sire, would na be clinging to you? You had a nightmare and your first instinct was to comfort Soundwave."

"Na was scared," Skywarp said, scrunching waz olfactory ridge.

"So were you," Thundercracker said. "But you put nam first. That's what being a creator is."

A good creator put their sparklings—seekerlings—first. That was the truth.

Skywarp hummed, settling back down. Thundercracker did the same. He closed his optics, but just before he slipped into recharge, Skywarp murmured:

"I just feel like something terrible is going to happen."

He was asleep before he could respond. His processor pruned that moment by the morning.

!!!

The ground rumbled. Something about it was familiar. The air was filled with the sharp, cold sting of fear—practically drenched in it. Thundercracker's first instinct was to press himself to the back of the burrow and listen. Skywarp scrambled beside him, digging waz claws into his plating as wa held on with an unbreakable grip. Waz wings trembled. Soundwave was sandwiched between them, holding onto Thundercracker much more delicately.

Toward the front of the burrow, Starscream crouched, wings spread wide and dentae bared. Despite the defensive posture, ka was silent. Ka glanced at Thundercracker, then whipped toward the burrow's entrance as the rumbling drew nearer.

[{ID:STSC} Dirtkissers.]

Skywarp yelped. Starscream rattled kas wings at wan.

[{ID:STSC} Shut up! They'll hear you!]

[{ID:SKWP} they're here???]

[{ID:STSC} Yes, you fool! Can't you hear them? They don't know where we are yet. Don't draw their attention.]

The telltale sound of thunking metal echoed through the valley. Pedesteps sounded. Blasterfire. The screech of a Seeker. Thundercracker didn't know the voice by name.

[{ID:THCR} What's going on? Who did they shoot?]

Starscream's wings twitched.

[{ID:STSC} Acid Storm, I think. I can't see very well and getting closer to the exit would expose us.]

Shouting in Common. Thundercracker could distinguish the words if only his processor weren't running so quickly. Soundwave shook. Thundercracker rubbed nas shoulders.

Where were Blast and Windshear? Where were Thrust and nas trinemates? Where was Nacelle? Where were Sunstorm and nas trinemates? Thundercracker could only hope they were safe in their burrows, or even better, away and not to return until the Autobots left.

How had these Autobots found them? Thundercracker hadn't given any information. Without a comm, he wouldn't have been able to anyway. Part of him wished he had tried harder to get them to install one, even though they said it would impact the mission. Seekers didn't have comms, so they would hear the low whine they made and know something was wrong. They tracked Autobots by that sound—Thundercracker used to follow the noise to find help when he got lost in the base as a seekerling. But if he had a comm now, maybe he could convince them not to attack, or even call his Autobots for help.

But if he did, would they really see the other Seekers any differently than they had before? Or would they just take him back and kill the others? Neither option was appealing. And what would happen to Soundwave? Na considered naz a Seeker despite nas lack of wings, but the Autobots wouldn't see it that way.

Thundercracker gently transferred Soundwave to Skywarp and crawled forward, crouching beside Starscream. Kas wings twitched in silent acknowledgement. The low whine of comms grew closer, punctuated by pedesteps.

[{ID:STSC} If they look in, I'm going to rush them. They'll panic, but it won't buy us much time, so Skywarp needs to get the frag out with Soundwave when I do it.]

Skywarp shifted nervously at the back of the burrow.

[{ID:SKWP} but where will we go?]

Starscream huffed quietly. If ka wasn't watching the Autobots, ka probably would've rolled kas optics.

[{ID:STSC} Cinnabar Cliff. It's far enough.]

More blaster fire. Another scream. The roar of jet engines. Thundercracker wasn't close enough to the burrow's edge to see—Starscream's wings blocked his view—but he knew another Seeker had been found and shot. There was no other explanation.

The low hum of a comm unit vibrated through the ground and then his plating. Pedesteps reached the edge of the burrow. A blaster began to charge. Were they even looking before they shot?

Starscream leaped out of the burrow with a howl, launching kaz at the Autobot. Thundercracker sprinted out after kan, launching himself at the next closest Autobot. In their panic, the Autobots' blaster shots hit the ground. Thundercracker's audials rang.

He grabbed the Autobot's hands, preventing them from aiming the blaster, but their hand was still on the trigger. Before they could charge it again, he brought it toward his mouth and bit down. The blaster gave beneath his dentae, valuable components crushed into uselessness, as the enemy Autobot shouted in surprise.

Their face was not one Thundercracker recognized, nor was the air around them familiar. These Autobots—whoever they were—had nothing to do with his own. Air rushed behind Thundercracker as Skywarp took off. Wa flew into the sky, then disappeared with a purple flash.

Short-lived relief flooded Thundercracker. The plan had worked. Skywarp and Soundwave were safe. But there were still others to protect. With a growl, he shoved the Autobot and pinned them beneath his pede.

Beside him, the other Autobots yelled in fear as Starscream's rays finally charged. Thundercracker trusted ka to hold kas own for a few moments as he turned back toward the Autobot, baring his dentae.

"Why are you here?" He hissed.

The Autobot's optics widened. Great. This again. He would have to convince—

"You!" The Autobot spat, a scowl on his face.

Thundercracker examined the Autobot again. He was a heavyweight for his frametype. Some sort of fancy truck, most likely. He was dark blue with orange accents. Still not familiar.

"Do I know you?" Thundercracker said.

"You were the voice I heard!" The Autobot spat, thrashing in his grip. "You killed my best friend!"

Thundercracker had killed many Autobots. It wasn't something he was proud of—unlike Starscream and Skywarp—but the point was, that didn't narrow anything down at all.

"You don't remember?" The Autobot said.

Thundercracker flicked his wings, once again forgetting that the Autobot wouldn't know what that meant.

"Do you remember every Seeker you gun down?" He asked.

He knew the answer. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe didn't remember the Seekers they killed, only the amount. To them, they were merely a score—enemies to be treated the same as the ones in their video games. He held no doubts this Autobot felt the same. They all did. He had once, too.

"You're filth," the Autobot said. "Why should I remember each grain of dirt I scrape from my pedes?"

The pace of battle didn't allow for the learning of faces or names. It didn't encourage memory—only survival. But at least Thundercracker acknowledged his opponents as thinking, feeling beings.

Thundercracker slammed the Autobot into the ground, a small part of him relishing the pained grunt he let out.

"I'm filth that can talk," Thundercracker said. "And filth that has you pinned beneath my claws."

Starscream's cry pulled Thundercracker's attention away. Ka struggled against the Autobots, who had foregone their ranged weapons in favor of blunt ones after they both had taken them out. Energeon leaked from a wound on his side. One of the Autobots brought their hammer down on kas arm, splitting the scar on it open.

Autobot beneath him forgotten, Thundercracker launched himself at Starscream's nearest tormentor. He sank his fangs into the Autobot's neck, energeon flooding his mouth as he broke their major fuel line. They let out a gurgling scream, but he was already moving on to the next Autobot. He dispatched them in a similar manner, a growl growing in his engine.

He knelt to help Starscream up. Well, really more like dragged Starscream to kas pedes. Kas plating trembled, pain on the air. Although the plating had regrown, it wasn't just the outside that Megatron had damaged vorns ago—the internal supports that held Starscream's arm together were weakened. Thundercracker had caught Starscream clutching kas arm a few times, and knew that the injury still caused kan pain.

The blow was direct, putting enough pressure on the weakened supports to snap them again. Energeon wept from the fresh wound. Still, Starscream bared kas dentae and flexed kas claws.

"There's still more of them!" Ka hissed.

Starscream's determination was endless, but ka couldn't go on like this. Fighting with such an injury would only make it worse. As much as Thundercracker longed to keep his trinemates by his side, he needed Starscream to get to safety. But if he just said that, ka would refuse.

"Find Blast and Windshear," Thundercracker said. "If they're not gone already, they'll need help escaping."

Kas wings twitched.

"Cinnabar Cliff," ka said. "You know where it is."

Then, ka was off, heading toward Windshear and Blast's burrow. Autobots took aim at kan, but ka was swift and dodged with ease. Thundercracker diverted his attention to the other burrows, preparing himself to attack as the other Autobots took notice of the commotion.

There weren't that many. Now that they were attacking rather than defending, they could probably finish the Autobots off. Especially if—

Megatron's pedes hit the ground with a loud thump as kas cannon powered up. Judging by its size, it wouldn't be very safe to fire near the burrows, but if it was facing away, it would take out a lot of Autobots. So, Thundercracker began driving the Autobots near him away from the burrows. A handful of other Seekers popped out of their burrows, some he recognized—Ramjet grinned at him before leaping onto a nearby Autobot.

Hope swelled in Thundercracker's spark. By now, Starscream would have gotten Windshear and Blast to safety. Skywarp was already gone with Soundwave. The tide was turning.

A shot hit Thundercracker's leg. He hissed in pain, searching for its source. The Autobot from before stared at him, a stolen blaster in his hands and a mask over his face. The blaster's glow dimmed as it powered down, its charge released. It would take a few kliks for it to recharge. Thundercracker charged his own rays and shot it, not giving it the opportunity.

The Autobot threw the broken blaster to the side and unsheathed a sword. It glowed, a high pitched hum emitting from it. Scrap. Thundercracker didn't know quite what it was, but he knew anything with a charge was something he didn't want to be hit with. The Autobot ran at him and swung. Thundercracker pivoted to avoid the strike, growling as the movement put pressure on his injured leg.

A screech rang out. Thundercracker forced himself not to look, dodging another blow. His rays were finally cooled enough to charge again, so he activated them. But he still had to wait for them to gather enough power. A particularly swift strike nearly caught him.

The air stirred behind him. Thundercracker's wings twitched. He leaped out of the way of the approaching object, just barely dodging another blow from the Autobot.

"That almost hit me!" The Autobot yelled.

Thundercracker turned sideways, following the Autobot's line of sight while keeping him in the corner of his vision. Ahead of them, an orange, broad-shouldered Autobot stood holding a large gun. A briefly spared glance at the object Thundercracker evaded froze his spark: a plasma net.

"They want these things alive, Sentinel!" The orange Autobot said. "Alive!"

"They only need a few," Sentinel said.

Thundercracker should have taken the moment to kill both of them, but their words gave him pause. The Autobots wanted the Seekers alive. They brought plasma nets.

"You're capturing us," Thundercracker said.

Sentinel scoffed. The orange Autobot paused, his net gun falling to his side. He stared, optics wide, at Thundercracker.

"Well, I'll be!" The orange Autobot said. "These things can talk?"

Sentinel brandished his sword.

"Spare the wonder for later," he said. "And fire that net gun before it decides to fight again."

Even if they fought the Autobots off, some of them would be captured. Thundercracker searched the camp. Were there more Autobots than before?

Thrust and Ramjet struggled valiantly against a swarm of Autobots, but it was little use. One of the wrestling Seekers defended their companion, who was already trapped in a net. Megatron still blazed through the crowd, he and his trine one of the only not to struggle. But as ka danced closer to other trines, ka paid them no mind, focusing only on the Autobots.

Thundercracker launched himself over the two Autobots bickering before him, heading toward Megatron. He landed, greeted immediately by a humming cannon. Instinctively, Thundercracker flared his wings. Megatron bared kas dentae and lowered the cannon.

"You're in the way," ka said.

Thundercracker stepped to Megatron's other side, but it did nothing to improve kas demeanor.

"We need to flee," Thundercracker said. "They have plasma nets—"

"And surrender our home?" Megatron hissed.

An Autobot came toward them. Megatron blasted them in the spark chamber without hesitation.

"They already sent reinforcements!" Thundercracker said. "They'll just keep sending more! We're outnumbered. They planned this."

Megatron growled, charging kas cannon again. "All the more reason to stay. We can't give them what they want."

Of course Megatron wasn't going to agree. Thundercracker should've expected it. He shook himself and took off, landing before Ramjet and Thrust. He fired on the Autobots attacking them, giving them a brief reprieve.

"Where's Dirge?" He asked.

He hadn't seen Dirge with them, nor had he seen kan elsewhere on the battlefield.

"We don't know!" Ramjet said, waz voice cracking. "We tried to find kan but we got cornered!"

Scrap. Ka may have been captured. Thundercracker didn't know where they were taking the Seekers they managed to down, only that they were taking them. He would need to find where they were moving them to before it was too late. But first…

"Get to safety," Thundercracker said. "Cinnabar Cliff. I'll find kan."

Ramjet hesitated, but Thrust placed a hand on waz shoulder. The two took off, leaving Thundercracker to face the approaching Autobots. He took out as many as he could before leaping into the sky again, flying just barely out of range of their net guns. He landed before the wrestling Seekers, but now only one of them remained—the dark blue one. The orange one was gone.

The dark blue Seeker turned toward him, optics wide and wings low. Thundercracker lowered his to show he meant no harm. The Seeker relaxed.

"They are taking nam!" The Seeker cried. "I was doing the defense and they are taking nam!"

Thundercracker's systems took a moment to parse the wording. The Seeker's accent was strong, and their grammar was wrong—a sign of an incomplete or corrupted language packet. Were they also not a native Vosian speaker?

That wasn't important right now.

"Did you see where they took nam?" Thundercracker asked.

The Seeker pointed. "There! But I cannot do the getting there or they will take me."

Thundercracker followed the Seeker's motion. He didn't see anything beyond the ongoing battle, but at least he had a direction to search. He turned back toward the Seeker.

"Go to Cinnabar Cliff," he said. "The others are waiting. I'll look for nam. But we can't let anyone else be taken."

The Seeker hesitated, glancing between the space they pointed to and the sky. Then, they nodded.

"I am Jetstorm," they said. "The one they took is Jetfire. When you do the finding, please tell nam I was doing the looking."

"I will," Thundercracker said.

Jetstorm took off. Thundercracker waited a moment before doing the same, heading in the direction Jetstorm had pointed. He fired on the Autobots when he could, but with growing relief, he saw fewer and fewer Seekers below. The Autobots couldn't have captured all of them, so most of then must have fled.

Eventually, he reached it: a large transport. Based on the size, it was a vehicle rather than a transformed Autobot. Thundercracker landed on the top of it with a clang, startling the Autobots below. They dropped one of the Seekers they were hauling. Thundercracker recognized them as Jetfire. Jetfire began to squirm, attempting to free themself from the plasma net.

Thundercracker aimed his rays and fired, taking out the conductors that projected the net. Jetfire burst out and attacked the Autobots. Satisfied that the Jetfire was free, Thundercracker turned his attention toward the transport. Digging his claws into the roof, he pulled. The top of the transport began to peel.

But it wasn't enough. Thundercracker's pedes slipped against the roof of the transport, his joints clicking as they strained to pull. Finally, his grip gave, and he was sent tumbling back. He landed hard on his shoulder, just barely able to tuck his wing back in time to prevent it from being damaged. His injured leg stung, the freshly dented shoulder only adding to his discomfort.

Somehow, he needed to get this open. The Seekers inside couldn't free themselves. But how?

His ability created vibrations. Maybe, if he used it, it would cause enough damage to the transport for him to open it…

Thundercracker leaped back onto the top of the transport and dug his claws in. Then, he summoned the part of his engine that roared. Everything began to vibrate around him. The transport shook. He pulled.

The roof peeled away. Thundercracker deactivated his ability and hopped inside, charging his rays. Dirge was the closest to him. After he shot the conductors, Dirge nodded at him. Ka charged kas own rays and moved to help the nearest Seeker. When all of the Seekers were freed, Thundercracker left the transport.

Just outside, Jetfire waited, wings wide and claws flexed as they stood guard. Energeon was smeared across their plating. The ground around them smoked, scattered with burnt plating. Thundercracker approached them carefully.

"Jetstorm was looking for you," he said.

Jetfire smiled. "I know."

Thundercracker dipped his helm and flicked his wings. The captured Seekers emerged from the transport slowly. He waited for all of them to be out before speaking.

"We're meeting at Cinnabar Cliff," he said. "The others are already there. We can't stay here anymore."

The Seekers exchanged glances. A couple of them whispered to each other. But soon, they all took off. Thundercracker flew alongside them. Cinnabar Cliff was only a breem or so of flight away, but it was far enough that the Autobots wouldn't reach them until they'd already moved on.

Thundercracker dismissed a warning. He was running hot, but he expected that. Between fighting, flying, and using his ability, there were plenty of reasons for him to be overheating. He could cool down when they made it.

When he landed, his vision fuzzed at the edges. Everything in him told him to lay down, but he forced himself to keep standing as he surveyed the Seekers before him. He counted, trying to match each Seeker with his memory files.

A whoosh of air and arms gently wrapping around him assured him that Skywarp had made it. Wa let out a surprised noise and let him go, staring at him with a scrunched olfactory ridge. Soundwave, clinging to Skywarp's side, looked up at him in a similar state of concern.

"You're running really hot," wa said.

"I know," Thundercracker said. A layer of static crackled beneath his voice. "I need to make sure…"

"Everyone is here."

Starscream's voice. Thundercracker turned toward it. Ka came up from behind him.

"Everyone alive, anyway," ka said. "I've already taken inventory."

"The Winglord isn't here," Skywarp said quietly.

"Almost everyone alive is here," Starscream said. Ka nudged Thundercracker. "Now lay down on your side and spread your plating. You need to cool off."

Thundercracker wanted to argue, but Starscream was right. He did as ka commanded. Even just a few moments laying with his plating spread made a massive difference, the heat dissipating at a much faster pace.

Pedesteps approached. Thundercracker lifted his helm, catching a glimpse of yellow plating. It was just Sunstorm. He closed his optics. Hands felt gently near his injured leg as if investigating the area.

When Thundercracker opened his optics again, the group was a lot more settled. Its members were no longer leaking from injuries, some bearing obvious marks of treatment. A couple dozed off in the distance. Thundercracker himself must have fallen into recharge, however brief.

Soundwave was curled at his side, sandwiched between him and Skywarp. On his other side was Starscream, who had an arm wrapped around his waist. Slowly, Thundercracker sat up. Starscream stirred. Ka was the first to wake, shortly followed by Skywarp and Soundwave.

The sky screamed. A two heavy thumps followed it. The Seekers scattered as Megatron landed, kas tan wingmate beside kan. Megatron had a scowl on kas face, dentae bared. Kas wingmate was more sullen, lacking waz signature grin.

Megatron growled, stalking forward. Thundercracker stood up.

"You!" Megatron hissed.

Thundercracker widened his wings and stood tall. Megatron growled again. The air hummed as kas cannon activated. Ka held it up, but the angle was wrong. Thundercracker followed it.

Rather than pointing it at Thundercracker, Megatron had pointed it at Starscream.

'If either of you attempt to challenge me again, I will kill kan.'

Thundercracker couldn't let kan shoot. He launched himself into Megatron, forcing the shot wide. Megatron howled and threw him off. As Thundercracker struggled back to his feet, Megatron stomped toward him.

This time, the cannon was aimed at him. Its light was near blinding. But before it could fire, a magenta blur flew at Megatron.

Ka blocked every one of Starscream's blows with ease. Thundercracker threw himself back into the fray. Between the two of them, they managed to land some good hits, but Megatron was strong. Ka grabbed one of Starscream's swords and pulled, taking it for kaz.

Starscream hissed and attacked with kas remaining sword, but ka wasn't as efficient with one sword missing. Thundercracker attempted to dodge one of Megatron's swings of the sword, but miscalculated. It swiped across his abdomen, sending him stumbling backwards. He let out a choked cry, pain searing across his body.

Starscream's remaining sword flew to the side as Megatron disarmed kan. Megatron threw kas taken sword and raised kas cannon again. Thundercracker attempted to rise, but between the fresh wound on his abdomen and the wound on his leg splitting open, pain had him pinned. He brought a hand to his belly and it came back coated in energeon.

A loud screech pierced the air. Pale purple landed on Megatron's shoulders, scratching at kas optics. Skywarp?

Despite the distraction, Megatron's cannon still went off. At such close range, there was no way for Starscream to avoid it. Thundercracker's fuel lines froze.

Skywarp was flung away. Looking down, Megatron grinned. Dread grew in Thundercracker's spark. He attempted to rise again, just barely making it to his pedes. Megatron's grin fell as ka turned toward him.

Then, ka was slammed sideways. Red and dark blue plating flashed around kan. Thrust and Dirge. White joined it. Ramjet. A strike from black claws. Blast. Another strike from a Seeker Thundercracker hadn't even spoken to landed a blow. The flock swarmed Megatron, unwilling to let kan escape or even attack.

Ka turned toward kas tan trinemate.

"Blitzwing!" Ka barked.

But Blitzwing merely hung waz helm and stepped back.

Thundercracker stared on in disbelief. Was this really happening? He hadn't even had time to discuss anything…

"Sit up."

Nacelle. Ka was at his side. Thundercracker did as ka requested.

"Stay still," ka said, activating kas thrusters. "I need to cauterize that."

Thundercracker stayed as still as he could. He spared a glance toward Starscream again. Sunstorm, Bitstream, and Hotlink were at kas side. Sunstorm's wings were low, nas brow furrowed. Worry grew in Thundercracker's spark.

They were just forced out of their home. Did Sunstorm have the supplies na would need to fix kan? Could na fix kan?

There was one group of mecha he knew could. Ratchet was skilled. Ratchet had tools and devices Sunstorm could only dream of. If he brought Starscream back to the Autobots…

As soon as Nacelle finished, Thundercracker stood, his mind made up. He stepped past the crowd, who were already dismantling the remains of Megatron, and pushed through Bitstream and Hotlink. Then, he took Starscream in his arms and ascended.

The ground flew by. Thundercracker moved with a single purpose: saving Starscream. The worst of kas wounds were cauterized, but energeon still warmed Thundercracker's hands. Engines hummed behind him, but he didn't look back. It didn't matter who was following—those hostile Autobots couldn't chase him in the sky! If anyone from the flock wanted to come with him, so be it.

His spark pulsed as the land grew familiar in a way that sent a jolt of longing through him. The Seekers rarely came this way, so he hadn't seen where he was raised in a long time. He descended carefully, landing as close to the base as he could manage. He would be spotted at any moment, and all he could hope for was that he was recognized before they shot.

The ground crunched beneath pedes as Thundercracker's pursuers landed. He didn't turn toward them. But as the sounds of landing continued to reach his audials, he realized just how many Seekers had followed him. Did the entire flock come with him? Why would they all have come?

The doors to the base opened. Autobots slipped through, blasters charged. Some were ones Thundercracker recognized. Others were not. He searched the crowd, but none met his optics. One of the Seekers behind him growled.

"Don't!" He said, moving one of his wings to block the path. "If we don't shoot, they won't shoot."

He had no idea if that was the truth. So far, no one had recognized him. But he had to hold hope that at any moment, one of the mecha that knew him most would storm through and see who he was. Had he really changed enough for none of them to know who he was?

"You brought us to Autobots!" One of the Seekers hissed. The only solace he had was it wasn't one of the ones he knew by voice.

"You didn't have to follow me!" He snapped, keeping his optics trained on the Autobots.

A flash of red and white in the Autobot crowd. It was growing closer. Could it be…?

A shot landed just before them. A warning. The air hummed as the Seekers behind Thundercracker charged up their rays to retaliate.

"Don't!" He said again.

Another warning shot.

Then, the crowd froze. A mech pushed his way through, red and white plating reflecting the bright sun. Thundercracker fought not to sprint toward him, knowing that running would jostle Starscream.

Thundercracker opened his mouth and shouted:

"Ratchet!"

Ratchet's optics widened. His pace increased.

"Ratchet!" Thundercracker called again.

Ratchet skidded to a halt in front of him, staring up. His optics were fuzzy. He reached out hesitantly.

"Thundercracker?" He said softly.

"It's me!" Thundercracker said. "Ratchet, it's me!"

Ratchet's shoulders fell, his plating slackening as if a monumental weight had left his shoulders. He closed his optics.

"It really is," he said. When he opened his optics, they landed on Starscream. "What happened?"

"She was shot with a cannon," Thundercracker said. "She needs help. That's why I'm here."

Ratchet's brow furrowed, the determined medic Thundercracker knew sliding into place. He turned back toward the crowd and shouted for a stretcher. After a moment of hesitation, the crowd broke. Eventually, a stretcher was brought forward. Thundercracker laid Starscream on it gently.

They began to pull kan away. Thundercracker didn't move. Ratchet paused, turning back toward him. Thundercracker shook his helm. Although leaving Starscream alone hurt his spark, he would be there when he could. Leaving the Seekers right now was sure to result in a skirmish. Ratchet dipped his helm and followed the other medics.

Bracing himself, Thundercracker turned back toward the Seekers. They stared at him, some with bared dentae and flexed claws, and others with wide optics and flared wings. A cocktail of fear, apprehension and anger rolled off of the flock. Nearly all of them were here. Why had they all followed?

[{ID:SKWP} those are the autobots that raised you}

He couldn't tell whether it was a question or a statement. He nodded either way.

"These Autobots won't hurt us if we don't hurt them," Thundercracker said. "They're different from the others."

A broad, purple-blue Seeker pushed their way through the crowd, baring their dentae. Yet another Seeker Thundercracker had seen but had been unable to associate with.

[{ID:SKWP} Dreadwing. Trinemates: Skyquake and Contrail. Ka is hard-coded scrapheap]

Skywarp's colorful commentary led Thundercracker to expect that nothing this Seeker was about to say was positive.

"How do we know that?" Dreadwing hissed. "Autobots are monsters. They have deceived us before. All I see here is another trick. You spoke their language. You are one of them!"

Thundercracker couldn't deny it. He was an Autobot. At least he used to be before all of this. But he was also a Seeker.

"Na was captive raised!"

Skywarp's voice rang louder than he had ever heard it, only a slight tremble betraying a lack of confidence. Still, wa stood before the crowd, wings high. Wa stopped at his side, sending him a glance before turning back toward the crowd.

"Na knows the language because na was forced to speak it," Skywarp said. "Na knows these Autobots because they took nam after nas creators were killed. Thundercracker is not trying to deceive you."

Dreadwing growled. Before ka could speak again, Thundercracker forced himself to talk.

"That's right," he said, trying to keep his wings from quivering. The Seekers that already knew had pitied him, but now that they were in the middle of all this, he doubted the others would react the same way. "These Autobots raised me. They have things we can't make—things that can help us. We're injured, hungry, and tired. We just lost our home. We need help. I'm trying to get us that help."

In truth, he was only trying to help Starscream, but now that the other Seekers were here, there was no reason not to ask his Autobots to help them as well. Dreadwing growled again, but silenced kaz as another Seeker made their way through the crowd. Blast stood beside Thundercracker, Soundwave and Windshear at nas side.

"Soundwave was born an Autobot," Blast said, resting a hand on Soundwave's helm. "Na respects us and has integrated with us. It's not impossible for us to coexist."

Dreadwing rattled kas wings. "Soundwave is a newspark! Newsparks are malleable. Those Autobots are fully grown. They have attacked us before. They will attack us again."

This was going in circles. Every point they brought up, Dreadwing just said the same thing. If ka didn't want to trust the Autobots, that was fine, but Thundercracker was getting sick of it. Ratchet and the other medics were treating Starscream right now, and every moment they spent bickering was another moment Thundercracker couldn't spend by kas side.

"Believe whatever you want!" Thundercracker hissed, baring his dentae. "If you don't like this, you can leave! You didn't have to follow me."

The flock grew quiet. Dreadwing shifted anxiously, kas wings lowering slightly. Thundercracker scanned the crowd. No one moved. He forced himself to calm down.

"You're scared," he said. "I understand that. The Autobots have hurt all of us. But they're treating my trinemate right now. That's why they took kan. They'll help us as long as we don't hurt them. They're afraid of us, too. But I want us to stop being afraid. I'm tired of living in fear."

Fearing the Seekers as an Autobot or fearing the Autobots as a Seeker, it didn't matter. Neither side was allowed to settle. Neither side was allowed to live. All that remained was endless war. The only way to end it was to do something different.

Dreadwing's wings lowered. Ka stepped back. Ka dipped kas helm.

"If that's what you wish, Winglord."

The fuel in Thundercracker's lines froze. It took everything in him not to visibly react. Winglord? He hadn't been the one to kill Megatron. The flock had done that.

"Y-yes," Thundercracker stammered. "I-if we're with these Autobots, the others can't hurt us. As long as we keep the peace, we'll be alright. So, please keep the peace. I'll—I'll speak with them soon."

How had this happened? Why would Dreadwing think he was Winglord? The others must have as well, since they followed him. No one had corrected kan.

But Thundercracker couldn't be Winglord. He didn't kill Megatron.

Thundercracker backed away. He motioned for Skywarp to follow him. His spark spun quickly. If he stayed here any longer, he would start to overheat, and then his shock would be even more clear than it already was.

Skywarp clung to him as they pushed past the Autobots. They gave them a wide margin, clutching their weapons as if they may need to draw them at any moment. Some of the mecha holding their weapons were ones Thundercracker knew. What happened? Why did they not recognize him anymore?

One question at a time.

[{ID:THCR} Winglord? I didn't kill Megatron…]

Skywarp nuzzled him.

[{ID:SKWP} you led us during the attack. besides, Blitzwing ceded}

Thundercracker nearly froze as pink plating came into view. Arcee. She held her blaster, but she fiddled with it, her optics meeting his. She chewed her lip, then looked away. Thundercracker's spark hurt. Why wouldn't she look at him?

[{ID:THCR} Ceded? They can do that?]

[{ID:SKWP} yeah. but not often. an easy choice when several us were willing to rip wan to shreds, though]

They passed other Autobots in the halls. All of them reacted anxiously, but none of them attacked. Word must have traveled quickly.

[{ID:THCR} Isn't that a break of tradition?]

Skywarp flicked waz wing.

[{ID:SKWP} when the winglord dies with no successor, we all fight or cede. no one who attacked Megatron wanted to fight. everyone ceded. so now it's just you. and we want you. so don't worry about it]

Thundercracker was worrying about it, sure. The real problem was that he didn't want to be Winglord. But with Starscream out of commission (and also widely disliked), what was the alternative? Dreadwing? Ka had already yielded to him, though informally. It was Thundercracker or no one. The flock needed a Winglord, and Thundercracker needed to keep the peace.

They reached the medbay. Thundercracker put his thoughts on hold. The flock could wait. He poked his helm in, searching the medbay. The surgery room's door was closed. Another medic—a small one, red and white—noticed him and waved him in. Despite Thundercracker never having met her, she showed little hesitation as he and Skywarp entered.

"Sit down!" She said, patting one of the vacant berths. "They're almost done. They'll be out soon."

"Already?" Thundercracker asked.

The small medic shrugged. "It looked a lot worse than it was. The real cybugbear is energeon loss, but they already started a transfusion."

Some of the tension drained from Thundercracker's frame. The medic seemed confident. That meant ka was going to be okay.

After what felt like vorns but must have only been moments, the door to the surgery room opened. Ratchet and the other medics wheeled Starscream out and placed na on a berth. As Ratchet fastened kan in place with restraints, Skywarp hissed and rattled waz wings.

Ratchet turned toward wan. His olfactory ridge crinkled.

"Oh, please," he said. "I'm just making sure she doesn't injure herself further. She was already fighting us before we got her under."

Skywarp's wings lowered. Wa continued to bare waz dentae. Ratchet ignored wan and turned toward the medic that was speaking with Thundercracker.

"First Aid," he said. "Can you watch her? I want to examine Thundercracker and his friend."

First Aid nodded. She exchanged places with Ratchet. As Ratchet approached, Skywarp pressed waz into Thundercracker and hissed. Ratchet rolled his optics and scoffed.

"I'm just going to examine you," he said. He motioned for Thundercracker to follow him and headed toward the scale at the back of the room. "Come on."

Thundercracker obeyed, gently pushing Skywarp away. Wa still stayed close, but did stop as Thundercracker got on the scale. Ratchet read the results and hummed, entering them into the nearest console.

"You lost quite a few tons," he said. "But some weight loss is expected."

Thundercracker nodded. Before he left, the most activity he'd engaged in was his weekly flights. Energeon was always available from the dispenser, tailored to his personal requirements. That made it easier to put mass on his plating. With the Seekers, prey wasn't guaranteed, and had to be obtained through hunting.

"Still…" Ratchet said, turning back toward Thundercracker. "I would like to test you for parasites."

Thundercracker's wings twitched. Irritation and embarrassment bubbled beneath his plating. Parasites? He was fine! Ratchet already said it was expected!

"No," he hissed.

"No?" Ratchet said. "I don't recall you receiving a medical degree."

Thundercracker straightened up. "You need my permission, and I say no."

Ratchet sighed. He looked between Thundercracker and Skywarp, then motioned toward wan.

"Look at how your friend here reacted to the idea of an exam," he said. "If that's how she reacts, I don't want to know how the rest of your Seekers will respond. If I examine you, I can get a better idea of what the rest of the flock might have without forcing all of them into here."

Ratchet was right. The vast majority of the flock wouldn't agree to being examined, and any he could convince would be wary. Thundercracker slumped.

"Fine," he mumbled. "But not now. I want to be there when Starscream wakes up."

He used the translated version of kas name. Silently, he was grateful to his past self for creating those translations, since he wouldn't have a way to refer to Starscream or the others in front of Ratchet otherwise. His Autobots wouldn't be able to hear their original names.

What followed was a typical examination. Ratchet kept them close to the berth Starscream was restrained on, which Thundercracker appreciated. It took a lot of coaxing, but Skywarp eventually consented to an exam as well. Referencing his notes from Thundercracker's past exams and the various sources on mechanimals Ratchet admitted he picked up over the vorns for treating Thundercracker, they managed to infer that Skywarp was healthy aside from being slightly underweight. If Skywarp was underweight, Thundercracker wasn't sure he wanted to know what Starscream qualified as.

Soon after that, Starscream stirred, then sprang up with a hiss. Thundercracker made his way over to the berth as quickly as he could as Starscream thrashed. He reached a hand out—ignoring Ratchet's warning shout—and pressed it into Starscream's chest. Kas claws flexed, and ka bared kas teeth, but the restraints prevented kan from sinking kas claws into his plating or biting him.

"Starscream," he said. "You're injured. Megatron shot you with kas cannon. You need to stay still."

Thundercracker kept his hand in place until Starscream finally stilled, kas optics growing focused. There was a large patch on the side of kas body, and several smaller patches on kas wings. The damaged metal was cut out and covered in some places, and merely flattened out in others. First Aid had been right: the damage looked more severe than it actually was. Skywarp's blow may have saved Starscream's life.

But that didn't say much—the patch on Starscream's side covered all the way from kas hip to kas arm. Based on the tinge of pain on the air, ka had hurt it during kas thrashing.

Starscream opened kas mouth and spoke. "Tell the medic to untie me."

Thundercracker turned toward Ratchet.

"'The medic' has audials," Ratchet said. "Are you going to keep thrashing around and hurting yourself, or are you going to stay still?"

Starscream glared at him. "I will stay still."

Slowly, Ratchet undid the restraints. He watched Starscream all the while, and paused between each one. The irritation in the air rose, but despite it, Starscream appeared outwardly calm. After the restraints were removed, ka sat up carefully.

"Can I leave now?" Ka said.

Ratchet snorted. "So you can strain your injuries? No."

Starscream growled quietly. Ratchet ignored it.

"We saved as much of your plating as we could," he said. "But a lot of it was unsalvageable. Patches are not as durable as natural plating, so don't do anything strenuous. You're very lucky—your internal injuries were minimal. But that can change if you make unwise choices."

Starscream flicked kas wings. Optics following the movement despite having no way of knowing what it meant, Ratchet stayed silent. When Starscream didn't say anything else, he spoke again.

"If you feel faint or experience pain that seems like it's coming from beneath the patches, come to us immediately."

Starscream stared at him. Thundercracker wondered if ka was listening at all. Although ka had medical knowledge of kas own, ka wasn't a medic. But would that stop kan if kas instructions were given by an Autobot?

"Do you understand?" Ratchet said.

Starscream hissed briefly. "I understand. Now let me go."

Ratchet turned toward Thundercracker.

"Your friend is a piece of work," Ratchet said. Thundercracker wanted to be offended, but considering the circumstances, he couldn't disagree. Ratchet continued. "Keep her—"

"Do not call me small!" Starscream snapped.

Ratchet stared at kan. Ka flexed kas plating to appear larger, wincing when it pulled on kas patches.

"You are small," Ratchet said.

Starscream growled. "Does not matter. Do not call me small."

Ratchet scrunched his olfactory sensor. "What else am I supposed to call you?"

"Anything else," Starscream hissed. "Large. An object. I do not care. Just not small."

Ratchet put his hands up in mock surrender. "If you wish."

Thundercracker was only able to puzzled by kas offense at being referred to as small for a moment before pedesteps reached his audials. He looked toward the door and his spark lifted. It took everything in him to stay rooted and stand straight.

From the doorway emerged Prowl. Despite his always-perfect posture, his optics were dim and his plating was dull. He had a bad habit of skipping meals, but had he really skipped so many that it showed? He approached slowly, cautiously—as if one misstep would make everything crumble.

He stopped before Thundercracker. Straightening up even further, Thundercracker prepared himself to speak. There was no time table for his mission, only a vague guideline that he sabotage Seeker resistance through integrating with them. In a way, he had done that. But he also knew that wasn't the path forward anymore.

His spark spun anxiously. How would Prowl take that? How would the Autobots take that?

"You want a report, right?" Thundercracker asked, his voice coming out weaker than intended.

Arms reached up, wrapping around him but not meeting. A chest collided with him. Thundercracker froze. Was Prowl…?

"Scrap the report," Prowl said.

Thundercracker returned the embrace.

"I missed you," Prowl whispered. "When you were gone, I realized…"

Prowl pulled away. He stared up at Thundercracker, his doors shifting.

"I kept too much distance from you," he said. "I knew I would have to give you up, so I tried not to get attached. But it happened regardless. I shouldn't have held back."

That was nice. Thundercracker should have wanted this. But he never felt Prowl was distant to begin with. He had just accepted that was how Prowl was. Now? He wasn't sure how to feel…

"I thought I would never see you again," Thundercracker said instead of replying.

"Same with you," Prowl said. "I'm… elated at your return."

"I kept wondering if you were alive," Thundercracker said.

"I did as well," Prowl said. His lips twitched upward. "But whenever I received descriptions of a blue Seeker, I knew it was you. You've made quite the impression."

Flustered, Thundercracker's wings fluttered of their own accord. "I have?"

Was that why those Autobots had tracked them down? Was it his fault?

Ratchet chimed in. "A Seeker nearly as large as the lead Seeker is hard to miss. Especially one that's bright blue."

Right. He should've figured. But still…

A vague memory file surfaced. Prowl was discussing strategy, but Thundercracker was mostly tuning it out. He loved Prowl, but the mech was immensely dry. Though, he caught a few scattered remarks, and those were what his processor pieced together now.

Mapping out attacks of the enemy to see where they might strike next, but even more crucially: where they might be coming from. Tracing routes, noting out-of-combat appearances. Seekers could travel far, but they always had to return home. If he was so recognizable, had those Autobots tracked his appearances to find the camp?

Thundercracker's spark sank. That Autobot—Sentinel—recognized him. He was pursuing revenge. If Sentinel had described him to the other Autobots, they would know what to look for.

But another part of his processor recognized that it didn't make sense. Even if he was used to track the flock, the tracking had begun long before he even joined them. Was Megatron not as recognizable as he was? Thundercracker was just yet another stand-out that made them easier to distinguish, not the primary cause of the distinguishment.

But that meant those Autobots were bound to track them down eventually no matter what they did. They would always need to travel, and whatever method the Autobots were using to surveil them hadn't been found or Megatron would have already torn it apart. Would they find them again? How long did they have?

Speaking of Megatron…

"He's dead," Thundercracker said.

Prowl's gaze hardened. "Who?"

"The flock's lead Seeker," Thundercracker said. "He died. That's why we're here."

"The flock's?" Prowl said.

Starscream snickered. Prowl turned, glaring at kan. A grin split kas face.

"Did you think there was only one group of Seekers?" Ka said.

"No," Prowl said. "But that Seeker has been present during every major attack, across the entire planet. So we assumed—"

"He did exactly what I thought he was doing, then," Starscream said.

Prowl turned fully toward kan, inviting ka into the conversation. "That was?"

"Taking over flocks and running them into the ground to appease his desire for endless war," Starscream said.

[{ID:STSC} I knew I saw kan before. I knew kas story about losing kas flock was a load of scrap. But I was a seekerling so no one believed me!]

The anger that rose on the air wasn't meant for the room's occupants. It was something older and deeper. Thundercracker didn't truly know Starscream. A few vorns was nothing in the history of the flock, and Thundercracker hadn't even attempted to unravel it. He was regretting his lack of curiosity now.

"Do you not want war, then?" Prowl asked.

Starscream sat up, legs dangling off the berth. Ka winced as the movement pulled at kas patches.

"I hate your kind," ka said. "But if we keep fighting forever, there will be no one left. I cannot rule a pile of lifeless frames."

Skywarp shimmied waz way into the group, waz plating tucked close. But a weak smile was on waz face.

"Actually…" Wa said in Vosian, motioning toward Thundercracker.

Starscream glared. "What?"

Skywarp motioned to Thundercracker again. It took a moment for waz intent to register, but when it did, Thundercracker's plating tingled with anxiety. He knew Starscream wanted to be Winglord. That was what they originally planned. But plans often fell apart in practice.

'I have to be the one to strike the final blow, unless you'd like to be on the other side of my swords.'

Kas voice was light back then. Friendly. Thundercracker bore kan no threat. But now, the unthinkable had happened.

"I'm Winglord," Thundercracker forced out.

Starscream's wings fell. Kas claws twitched. The rest of kas body was still. The air betrayed nothing. Then, it grew cold.

"Oh," ka said.

Thundercracker cringed. "I know it's not what we planned—"

"It's fine," Starscream said. "How long would I have kept the position, anyway? I couldn't even defeat him."

Kas voice was… off. It lacked its usual confidence. Shaky, unstable, and quiet.

"I'm sorry—" Thundercracker reached out, but Starscream backed away.

"I said it's fine!" Ka spat. "You're Winglord. That's fine. Megatron is dead. That's what's important."

Thundercracker straightened up, withdrawing his hand. Blitzwing had ceded, so why couldn't he?

"Okay," he said. "But I could—"

"Don't even finish that thought!" Starscream hissed. "Stop talking to me. Better yet, stop talking entirely. I don't want to hear it."

Thundercracker sighed. Across from them, Prowl stared expectantly. Since it was in Vosian, he hadn't heard a word of the exchange. There was a lot they still had to explain.

The flock refused to enter the base. That was fine for the Autobots, who Thundercracker often caught whispering about them or watching the entrances as if they would invade at any moment. It irritated him. If they wanted to attack, they already would have! But the flock wasn't much better. There were guards stationed at all times—the Claws of the flock took turns at their posts. This was something Thundercracker begrudgingly allowed but hadn't arranged.

Ratchet gave him a full workup, justifying each test with the same reason he gave before: the other members of the flock wouldn't let him perform them, so Thundercracker was serving as their proxy. The battery of tests was tiring at best and uncomfortable at worst, but he tolerated it for the flock's sake. The results finally came in, leading to Thundercracker having to somehow justify antihelminics to the entire flock. He was putting it off for as long as he could, but even with treatment, he would keep being reinfected as long as he was around them.

It was only one of the many things Ratchet had discovered. Apparently, Starscream (whose samples Ratchet had taken while ka was under) had several key deficiencies that were worsening kas issues. Most of them were ones Thundercracker lacked, but enough overlapped that Ratchet wanted to supplement the entire flock. Yet another thing he was putting off explaining. Convincing Starscream and Skywarp to spend every other night inside the Autobot base was difficult enough.

Thundercracker stared down at the datapad. The page was empty, waiting to be filled. But for the past several breems, he couldn't come up with anything. Skywarp laid next to him in the nest, waz helm pressed into his shoulder. Soundwave was reading a datapad about cybirds that Prowl lent them.

Language packets contained information for both reading and writing, assuming the mech obtained them from a mech that already possessed the knowledge. So, luckily for Thundercracker, Soundwave already knew how to read. In theory, Skywarp could also read, since waz copy came from Thundercracker. He had no idea where Starscream sourced kas, but the first night ka saw Soundwave reading, ka had attempted to read the datapad as well and was unable to. But ka refused to let Thundercracker upgrade kas Common language packet.

The door to the private washrack opened. Starscream strode out, plating shining as it caught the light. Ka stood proudly in the doorway. Thundercracker's old room didn't have a private washrack, but he requested one to make sure Starscream wouldn't have any trouble at night. Prowl had shocked him by clearing out his quarters and offering then up.

It was nice to see it getting some use beyond what Thundercracker reserved it for. Considering Starscream's general lack of interest in maintaining kaz, it was a surprise that ka was the first one to use it for washing.

"What is the shine-maker called?" Starscream asked. "And when were you going to tell me about it?"

"You mean polish?" Thundercracker replied in Common. He had no idea what it would be called in Vosian, or if the Seekers had ever encountered it to begin with.

"Polish," Starscream repeated. Then, ka switched back to Vosian. "I like shine-maker better."

Ka settled on the other side of Thundercracker, peering at his blank datapad.

"What are you working on?" Ka asked.

Thundercracker sighed. "I don't know anymore. I need to convince the rest of the flock to let Deftclaw treat them."

That was another thing. Most Autobot names didn't translate well (or in some cases, at all) in Vosian, so Thundercracker had to make new ones up. Thus, Ratchet became Deftclaw.

Starscream's face scrunched. A tinge of disgust filled the air.

"Deftclaw's methods are vile, but they aren't any worse than Sunstorm's," ka said. "The problem is that they're coming from a dirtkisser."

"I know," Thundercracker mumbled, slumping where he laid.

"Do you?" Starscream said.

What was ka getting at? Thundercracker stared at him. On his other side, Skywarp stirred.

"What if it came from a Seeker?" Wa asked.

Starscream's wings fluttered. "Precisely. The flock will only listen if a Seeker offers the treatment. And who offers treatments?"

Everything snapped into place.

"Sunstorm," Thundercracker said. "We need to convince Sunstorm to work with Deftclaw!"

Considering nas reverence for Megatron and hatred of Autobots, that would be much easier said than done. But at least it was something. It was much easier to convince one mech to do something than the entire flock, and once Sunstorm was convinced, na wouldn't stop until the entire flock was treated.

A low fuel warning entered Thundercracker's logs. Had it really been that long? He pushed himself up, turning off the datapad and laying it in the nest. He rose, stretching his joints.

"I'm going to get something to eat," he said as Skywarp and Starscream stared up at him. "Do you want anything?"

He glanced at Soundwave. Na shook nas helm, then quickly returned to nas reading. Skywarp's wings lowered, the air tingling with anxiety.

"Bring me something back," wa said.

Skywarp rarely left the room when they spent time in the Autobot base. Thundercracker never forced wan, but he wished wa wasn't so afraid. When forced to travel the halls, wa clung to him.

Starscream rose hurriedly from kas place. Ka leaped forward, stopping beside him. The air around ka was also full of anxiety, but ka seemed to respond differently to kas fears than Skywarp.

"I'll come with you," ka said.

Thundercracker had no reason to refuse kan, so he dipped his helm and headed toward the door. He thought little of it this first time, but it quickly became a pattern: Starscream refused to stay in the room if he left. Thundercracker had assumed it would be Skywarp that was afraid of being without him, but it seemed his trinemates held surprises in store every cycle.

Thundercracker did his best to tolerate it. He knew this was new for both of them. They were among mecha they viewed in the past as enemies. But when Starscream tried to follow him into the washrack—of all places!—he had to put his pede down.

!!!

When they returned to the flock, Thundercracker was immediately accosted. He expected it, but that didn't stop irritation from making his plating itch. At least wait until he was settled!

Dreadwing approached, flanked by kas trinemates. Ka dipped kas helm, wings high in greeting. Thundercracker lifted his wings in response.

"Winglord," Dreadwing said, kas gaze averted. "The ground here is too unstable and the free space too small for all of us to have burrows, but we need to be hidden. What do you suggest?"

Thundercracker braced himself.

"There's plenty of space in the Autobot base." He paused as Dreadwing's lips curled. He hadn't even finished speaking and just the mention of the Autobots was enough to draw hostility. How was he supposed to convince them of anything? He continued. "But I know the flock doesn't want to sleep there. If we can't all have separate burrows, why can't we have a shared one?"

Dreadwing's brow furrowed. Kas wingmates exchanged glances, likely talking over their trinelink.

"A shared burrow?" Dreadwing said.

"Yes," Thundercracker said. "With multiple exits. Some chambers for storage and private needs, maybe. I know it's not ideal, but it's better than nothing, right?"

Dreadwing closed kas optics. "Right."

Ka stepped away. Kas trinemates followed.

"I will inform the flock of your wishes," ka said.

Thundercracker sighed as Dreadwing and kas trine walked away. His plating was already tense, and they'd barely been back with the Seekers for a klik. Something dug into his shoulder. He leaned his helm on it.

"Good work," Starscream purred.

Thundercracker closed his optics. "I hope so."

Skywarp nuzzled his other side.

"We know so," wa said. "You're a good Winglord. That's why we all fought for you."

Thundercracker still couldn't believe everything that happened. It went against how he assumed flocks worked. But at least it worked out in his favor. Still, it would be nice if someone else could take the burden of leadership from him…

He hadn't even gotten to the real challenge yet. How could he convince Sunstorm to work with Ratchet if the Seekers distrusted the Autobots so deeply?

But first…

Thundercracker strode forward, Skywarp and Starscream stepping behind him. Soundwave stayed at Skywarp's side as they walked, some of the Seekers in the small area they'd claimed glancing at them. When they realized who they were staring at, they quickly averted their gazes.

Ahead of them, Blast sat with Windshear and Nacelle. Windshear outstretched one of vas legs as Nacelle examined vas pede, occasionally poking at it. Vas claws sat a short distance away on the ground. Ratbat and Laserbeak were perched on the edges of Windshear's wings. The small group paused as Thundercracker approached.

He knelt before them. Soundwave came around, settling beside Blast. Windshear jerked out of Nacelle's grip, but ka tugged her back.

"I'm not done yet!" Ka said.

"What's going on?" Soundwave asked, tilting nas helm.

Windshear stilled. Vas wings fluttered.

"I have a rock in my thruster," va said.

"Va forgot to close vas thrusters before va landed and it got jammed in there," Nacelle added. "I'm trying to pick it out."

Ka returned to kas work, wedging one of kas daggers inside of Windshear's thruster. Thundercracker winced as a particularly hard pull made a scraping noise, but Windshear didn't react at all.

"That sounds like it would hurt," Thundercracker said. That hadn't ever happened to him, so he wouldn't actually know, but it seemed unpleasant.

Nacelle made a dismissive noise. "Not a lot of sensation down there, actually. You probably wouldn't notice you had something jammed in there until you went to fly—which is what va did."

Nacelle seemed to have a lot of knowledge for a Claw, considering the way both ka and Sunstorm had spoken about Sparks and Claws practicing medicine. How did ka learn?

"You seem to know a lot," Thundercracker said.

Nacelle laughed. "Well, Sunstorm humors me. Na was the one that taught me how to cauterize wounds after I kept cutting myself while working on my daggers."

"Na did?" Thundercracker said.

The air behind him grew tense. It whooshed as Starscream's wings flicked. Thundercracker glanced backward. Starscream's claws flexed, but ka stayed silent.

'You want to be a Claw, and Claws don't practice medicine.'

Was that really true when Sunstorm had taught Nacelle? When Nacelle claimed that na was willing to teach when asked? Why teach Nacelle but refuse to teach Starscream? Why was Sunstorm withholding medical training from Starscream?

'Na wants to baby something, and nas poor, defective sibling is the perfect target!'

Starscream needed medication to live. Sunstorm was the only Seeker in the flock who knew how to make it. If Sunstorm never taught anyone else, Starscream would be reliant on nam and only nam.

When Thundercracker first met Starscream, he assumed Starscream was ungrateful. Sunstorm was always so pleasant, and Starscream was always so abrasive. In general, ka was unpleasant, but ka had a softer side that Thundercracker enjoyed seeing the few times it emerged. So, it was easy to dismiss kas behavior toward Sunstorm as ungratefulness or kas general abrasiveness, but what if it was something more? What if ka was legitimately frustrated with Sunstorm?

'Why does every admonishment have to be phrased as a backhanded compliment?'

Ka had already voiced anger at the way ka was treated and was ignored.

Thundercracker tapped his claws on Starscream's shoulder. Kas wing flicked in his direction and ka turned. Thundercracker leaned closer, lowering his voice.

"Can I talk to you alone?"

Starscream frowned. Then, ka took off. Thundercracker gave the others a hurried goodbye—assuring them he would be back—and followed. They landed just far enough away to not be seen nor heard by the flock.

Starscream turned toward him, optics watching him out of the corner of kas vision. Kas wings twitched. The air was split with tension.

"What is it?" Ka asked.

How did he begin? Thundercracker rolled the words around in his processor before finally speaking.

"Sunstorm is refusing to train you on purpose," Thundercracker said.

Starscream snorted. "No scrap. Not like you can refuse to train someone accidentally."

Thundercracker shook out his plating and tried again.

"Sunstorm trained Nacelle even though ka is a Claw," he said. "But na is refusing to train you. Why is that?"

He needed to know he was correct.

"For exactly the reason na said," Starscream said. "I'm a Claw."

Why would Sunstorm refuse to train Starscream for being a Claw and then train Nacelle?

"Nacelle is also a Claw," Thundercracker said. "What makes you different?"

Starscream stared at him, then turned away. Kas claws flexed.

"What do you think?" Ka said.

Thundercracker didn't know. That was the problem. Starscream was refusing to confirm his only theory.

"Is Sunstorm trying to control you?" Thundercracker asked.

Starscream's wings twitched. "Maybe. Depends on how you look at it."

It was the closest Thundercracker was going to get to confirmation. Irritation stung the air, and Starscream's plating ruffled and unruffled in a way that Thundercracker recognized as kan wanting to flee.

"Na shouldn't do that," Thundercracker said.

"And yet na has," Starscream said. "It doesn't matter. I'll never give in. I'm me and na will have to accept it."

The remark clicked everything into place. The venom with which Sunstorm referred to Starscream as a Claw, the way other Seekers scorned kan for changing kas role—Sunstorm wasn't actually accepting of kan. Na was using the role of Claw as a weapon to force Starscream out of it.

Anger bubbled in Thundercracker's core. His plating crawled. The back of his processor whispered—Defective! Defective!—and he did his best to ignore it.

"I don't understand why they're so insistent that you stay what you used to be," Thundercracker said.

Starscream stared at him for a moment, optics scrutinizing him as kas olfactory ridge scrunched. Then, ka straightened up, the air calming.

"I was a Spark," ka said. "Sparks and Claws aren't supposed to change. Only Wings."

"Wings?" Thundercracker said.

Why only them?

"Yes, Wings," Starscream said. "They travel. They adapt. Sparks and Claws don't. We're… limited and precious, according to scrapheaps like my sibling. Some flocks have twice as many Wings as Claws and Sparks combined."

But all Seekers could fly. All Seekers could fight. All Seekers could become gravid.

"When we trined, I could select any role," Thundercracker said. "Anyone can select any role. So why can't we change? What makes us any different from a Wing?"

What made Wings any different from them? Were there any real differences between Claws and Sparks? If a Seeker could select any role, and Seekers could change their role, the only thing holding them back was other Seekers.

A realization grew in Thundercracker's spark. There was no difference between the roles. They were all the same. He was not just a Spark-Claw, but a Wing, Spark, and Claw in one because there was no difference. He was also none of them because there was no difference. They were merely fractions of a whole that had been artificially divided up. To call himself one was to call himself the others, because for him, there was no separation.

He wouldn't keep splitting himself into pieces any longer.

"Wings are Wings," Starscream said. "We aren't Wings."

"You're not," Thundercracker said.

"You aren't, either," Starscream said. "Unless you're implying you'd rather be one."

The thread of tension snapped. Thundercracker let go.

"I am one," he said. "But I'm also a Spark and a Claw."

Starscream's wing flicked. "That's not how that works."

How did Thundercracker explain it? For him, it just fell into place. If only he could reach into his processor and place his thoughts directly into Starscream's mind…

"They're the same to me," Thundercracker said. "There's no distinction. Not a real one, anyway."

Starscream's plating flared. "Are you calling them fake?"

They were fake. Autobots didn't have these roles. Cybirds, cybercats, and other mechanimals didn't have these roles. Other Seekers couldn't even directly sense them! They had to be manually set!

But they were still impactful. They trapped Seekers and brought them joy. They were used as a weapon. Others found purpose in them.

Things didn't have to be real to matter.

"Yes," Thundercracker said.

Starscream bared kas dentae.

"Fake," ka hissed. "You think the role I've worked to defend my entire life is fake? That all of my suffering is made up?"

Thundercracker's spark turned faster. How could he make Starscream understand? Could he make Starscream understand?

"Your suffering is real," Thundercracker said. "But the roles… they're made up."

"Then what have I been fighting for?" Starscream hissed. "If they're made up, then I've been fighting for nothing. I've been mistreated over nothing. Do you know how that sounds?"

Thundercracker flinched. He knew exactly how it sounded. There was no way to convey everything he needed to say. But he already let the words spill out and there was no taking them back.

"Not nothing," Thundercracker said meekly. "An idea."

Starscream leaned closer. "An idea?"

Thundercracker's wings lowered. Starscream's optics followed the movement. Ka backed away with a scowl. Thundercracker's plating itched.

"I keep forgetting you're a dirtball," Starscream said.

Ka turned away and took off, flying back toward the new camp. Thundercracker lingered, spark spinning swiftly in his chest. Despite the open wilderness, he was trapped.

Maybe there was something wrong with him. If there wasn't anything wrong with him, why else would he be like this? Why else would no one understand it?

!!!

When he finally returned, Skywarp and Starscream were glaring at each other. Starscream's wings were low, kas plating tense. Wings held high, Skywarp leered over kan. Both paused as Thundercracker landed.

"Thundercracker!" Skywarp said, launching waz at him.

Thundercracker caught wan as wa wrapped waz arms around him, pulling him into a hug. Wa purred.

[{ID:SKWP} Starscream told me what happened. I don't blame you. you weren't raised like us. sometimes these things are hard for you]

Thundercracker rested his chin on waz helm.

[{ID:THCR} Thank you.]

He was thankful, despite hurt in his spark and the bitterness that coated his mouth. They didn't hate him. They just didn't understand it. Or maybe he didn't understand it. That was probably it. It was like Skywarp said—he was raised without all of this.

Yet the thought still lived in the back of his mind: they were all the same. There were no differences. He forced it away.

Gently, he pushed Skywarp away. They were here to spend time with the flock, but they were also on a mission. Thundercracker searched the camp, optics landing on two familiar Seekers. Behind them, almost shielded, was Sunstorm. He approached.

Hotlink and Bitstream dipped their helms and scrambled out of his way. Sunstorm's wings flicked. Na turned toward him, a container in hand. Before nam was a small set of containers.

"I was just taking inventory," na said. "I was forced to leave anything I couldn't fit in my cockpit behind when we fled. It's starting to get cramped in there. If only I had somewhere to store it all…"

Thundercracker sighed. "That's being dealt with. We'll have a new burrow soon."

"We?" Sunstorm said.

Starscream jabbed Thundercracker in the side. Thundercracker turned toward kan, baring his dentae.

[{ID:STSC} Don't let na distract you.]

Right.

"That's not what I'm here to talk about," Thundercracker said. "I have something important to ask you."

Sunstorm placed one of the containers in nas cockpit.

"What is it?" Na asked.

"The Autobots have a…" Thundercracker paused, searching his Vosian lexicon. Did they really have no word for medic? How did Starscream know what Ratchet was? "Helper like you. Na wants to provide treatments to us. I want you to work with nam."

Thundercracker chose na for Ratchet, knowing that Sunstorm would be even more distrustful if he chose a different role's pronouns to refer to him. Ratchet had no idea what a trine role was, nor could he hear Vosian, so there was no way for Thundercracker to let him choose. Still, a wave of guilt washed over him.

Sunstorm's wings twitched.

"You want me to work with a dirtkisser," na said.

Tension pulled at the air. Thundercracker knew the Autobots harmed Seekers. He had been harmed himself. Megatron mentioned poison before. Had Sunstorm ever encountered it?

"Think of it more like supervising," Thundercracker said. "Na won't do anything without your approval."

"Below me or not, na is still a dirtkisser," na said.

"Please," Thundercracker said.

They needed this. Thundercracker knew what he was asking—the Autobots had hurt many of them. But Ratchet wouldn't do that.

"Your hopefulness is to be admired," Sunstorm said. "But the dirtkissers have deceived us before. I do not want to be deceived again."

Thundercracker closed his optics.

"There can't be peace if we won't give it a chance," he mumbled.

He wanted this war to end. Every moment he spent with the Seekers solidified that further. He wanted Soundwave and Windshear to grow up safe. He wanted Thrust to have nas seekerling. He wanted to play video games with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe again. He wanted everyone he loved to be safe, healthy, and happy. That couldn't happen if they were fighting.

Sunstorm's hum drew him from his thoughts.

"Do you think this dirtkisser could find out why a Seeker can't have a seekerling?" Sunstorm asked.

"Yes," Thundercracker said.

Ratchet was smart. He always knew what was going on with Thundercracker, and the few times he didn't, he always found out.

"I will speak with nam," Sunstorm said. "But I will only work with nam if na can do it."

That was better than no.

Thundercracker nodded. "I'll let nam know."

Sunstorm returned to sorting nas supplies. Silence fell over the area. Spark finally calming, Thundercracker turned away. But a gentle brush against his back made him pause. He turned back around, meeting optics with Bitstream. Ka averted kas gaze, wings twitching as anxiety hung on the air.

"Can I speak with you?" Ka whispered.

Thundercracker glanced at his trinemates. He motioned for them to leave. They hesitated before obeying, heading back toward Blast and the others.

"What is it?" Thundercracker asked.

Bitstream stood up and led him just far enough away to be out of hearing range, casting nervous glances toward Sunstorm all the while.

"We—Hotlink and I—want to talk to the dirtkissers," Bitstream said.

"About what?" Thundercracker asked.

They could just walk over to the base and ask to be let in. Why the secrecy?

"Their weapons," Bitstream said. "We've had the chance to take some apart before but they were always damaged. We want to know how they work."

The Autobots certainly wouldn't be happy to hand the Seekers a blaster, but they wouldn't refuse. As long as the Seekers didn't seem like they were going to shoot anyone with it, it would be fine.

"Why not just ask them yourself?" Thundercracker said.

Bitstream motioned back toward where they came from, kas wings lowering. "Sunstorm doesn't want us to."

It took Thundercracker a moment to remember. Sunstorm was Bitstream and Hotlink's Spark. They were supposed to obey nam. If na forbid it, then they couldn't do it. That was why they hadn't come before.

"What do you want me to do?" Thundercracker asked.

Bitstream's wings rose. The anxiety on the air lessened.

"Assign us to it," ka said. "If it comes from you, we can't disobey, and Sunstorm won't be mad at us."

Thundercracker dipped his helm. "I'll see what I can do."

Bitstream smiled. Then, ka hopped backward and ran back toward Sunstorm.

As Thundercracker walked back toward his trinemates, bitterness rose inside him. Why were these roles so strongly enforced? Why couldn't Bitstream and Hotlink do what they wanted without his interference? Were there things Starscream and Skywarp wanted to do that they thought they couldn't because of him?

Every Seeker was an individual, even in a trine. Why weren't they allowed to make their own choices?

Thundercracker never cared much for painting, but he admired Bulkhead's works for what they were. Despite his lack of interest in the craft, when Bulkhead invited him to paint—and bring Soundwave along—he agreed. He missed Bulkhead, so he would take any excuse to hang out with him. Even if it meant doing something he wasn't particularly fond of.

So, when he got up and called for Soundwave to come with him, it was with a lightness in his spark that he hadn't felt in a long time. But of course, as he reached the door, an extra set of pedesteps joined them. Thundercracker turned, wing twitching, as he faced Starscream. Kas wings were low, optics wide, gaze almost pleading.

Thundercracker sighed. The Autobots may have allowed them to stay in the base, but they still didn't trust Starscream and Skywarp as much as they trusted him. Besides, Bulkhead had asked him to only bring Soundwave.

"Starscream," Thundercracker said. "No."

Starscream's wings drooped. Anxiety seared the air.

"I—"

"It's just painting," Thundercracker said. "Why do you always want to come with me? You weren't following me around like this before."

Starscream stiffened, joints locking up. Ka jerked, letting out a few quiet, interrupted growls. Thundercracker waited until ka finally forced a word out.

"I'm your Claw," ka said. "I need to protect you. Who knows what those Autobots will do?"

"'Those Autobots' raised me," Thundercracker said.

Starscream growled. "I know!"

"Then you know they won't hurt me," Thundercracker said.

Starscream stamped kas pede. "Just—let me come with you!"

Thundercracker hadn't been around many petulant sparklings—Soundwave and Windshear were very well-behaved—but he watched enough shows with them to find Starscream's behavior reminiscent. Rather than point that out and risk angering Starscream further, Thundercracker kept his voice level.

"I understand you're anxious—"

"I'm not!" Starscream hissed.

Thundercracker glared at kan. Starscream shrank.

"Maybe I am," Starscream mumbled. "But it's my role to guard you. I can't do that if you're all the way on the other side of the base."

"You can guard Skywarp," Thundercracker said.

Starscream growled again.

"I don't need to guard Skywarp!" Ka said.

Thundercracker turned toward the door. He stepped out, Soundwave following him. Before Starscream could do the same, he stuck out his arm, preventing kan from breaching the doorway.

The anxiety on the air grew stronger. Starscream's composure transformed.

"Please," ka said. "Don't leave me."

Where was this coming from? Starscream normally had to be dragged into affection. Unless…

Thundercracker would need to take kan to Ratchet later. There was definitely something wrong. Ka rarely admitted to pain or fear. When pressed, ka got irritated, claiming ka could handle it. Ka didn't… do whatever this was.

Gently, Thundercracker grabbed kas shoulder. Starscream averted kas gaze.

"I'll back back," Thundercracker said. "You don't need to worry."

Starscream mumbled something he couldn't catch.

"What?" Thundercracker said.

Starscream backed away.

"It's nothing," ka said quietly. "Just go."

That was more normal.

"We'll talk when we get back, okay?" Thundercracker said, shutting the door.

!!!

Bulkhead greeted him warmly, patting him on the back with his usual zeal. Despite his immense strength, Bulkhead was a very gentle bot. Thundercracker muffled a purr, joy rising in his spark. He smiled back at Bulkhead.

"It's good to have you back," Bulkhead said.

"It's good to be back," Thundercracker replied. "I missed you and the other bots."

"We missed you, too," Bulkhead said, leading him inside. "We were worried, but we knew you were doing important work. None of us expected you to show up with an entire flock of Seekers!"

Thundercracker shrugged. "Well, my mission wasn't exactly well-defined."

It was simply 'learn about the Seekers and find any way to aid the war effort.' That That quickly corrupted into 'find any way to stop the fighting' the moment he spoke to Skywarp for the first time. In many ways, Seekers and Autobots were the same.

Bulkhead chuckled. He stopped before a large canvas hung on the wall. Buckets of paint were scattered below it. Splashes of color morphed together in something vaguely reminiscent of a landscape, but the details were missing. A large portion of the canvas was blank.

"This is what I've been working on for the past few orns," Bulkhead said. "It's nowhere near finished, but I'm finally getting somewhere."

"It looks nice," Thundercracker said.

He didn't have the vision Bulkhead did. Somehow, Bulkhead could take basic shapes and keep adding until it turned into a beautiful landscape. It was like the mech had some special sense that Thundercracker lacked.

"Thanks," Bulkhead said. He leaned down, a warm smile on his face as he stared at Soundwave. "What do you think?"

Soundwave glanced between the painting and Bulkhead. Na stayed silent. Bulkhead's smile fell, but he forced it back onto his face.

"Quiet one, isn't he?" Bulkhead said.

"Yeah," Thundercracker said.

Soundwave usually at least responded when someone else talked to him. Why was na completely silent now?

"Well," Bulkhead said, shifting awkwardly. "I set up the canvases in the back. Fresh paint for all of us. Come on."

Bulkhead led them to the back of the room. They quickly began painting. Well, more like Bulkhead began painting while Thundercracker floundered. He did his best to copy Bulkhead's instructions and paint the set of mountains he was painting, but each of his strokes went slightly off, and he almost never had the correct amount of paint on his brush. Still, whenever Bulkhead walked around the other side to check, he said something positive in what Thundercracker was certain was a strained voice.

He tried not to let it get to him, but frustration was building. Aside from a lack of interest, difficulty was another reason Thundercracker never learned to paint even when Bulkhead offered to teach him. It would be so easy to give in to his anger and sink his claws into the canvas. Wouldn't it look better ripped apart?

Soundwave drew a long, solid black line down nas canvas in a single swipe and hadn't drawn anything since. Bulkhead cajoled nam, trying to get nam to follow his instructions or at least draw more, but na just stared at him silently. Thundercracker still didn't know why na was acting like that. Though na was quiet, na was perfectly capable of responding to others when asked questions. So why didn't na talk now?

"Why not make another line?" Bulkhead asked softly.

Soundwave stared, just like the several other times Bulkhead asked. Then, finally, na spoke.

"I don't like painting," na said.

Bulkhead frowned. But there was no sadness or irritation or other negative emotions on the air. Despite his massive size (for an Autobot, anyway), Bulkhead was an immensely gentle and patient mech.

"What do you like to do?" He asked.

"I sing sometimes," Soundwave said.

Na did, though not very often. Thundercracker hadn't paid much attention to it, and now a small wave of guilt washed over him. He should be engaging with Soundwave beyond basic skills like hunting more.

"Oh," Bulkhead said. "That's nice. Would you like to sing now?"

"No," Soundwave said. Na turned toward Thundercracker. "Can we go?"

Thundercracker tried not to show any signs of irritation. They came here to spend time with Bulkhead! But he placed himself in Soundwave's pedes for a moment. Na didn't know Bulkhead. Na didn't even like painting, apparently. When na had been with Autobots, they had mistreated nam.

Thundercracker should've known this wouldn't end well.

"Okay," Thundercracker said. "How about we get some fuel? Then we can head back."

Soundwave nodded. Thundercracker turned back toward Bulkhead, his wings lowered.

"I'm sorry," he said. "We'll have to paint some other time. Do you want to come with us?"

Bulkhead scratched his helm, a bashful smile on his face.

"Ah, no thanks," he said. "It's alright. I know how sparkling are."

Thundercracker dipped his helm.

"Thank you," he said.

Even when things went wrong, he could always trust Bulkhead to be understanding. He led Soundwave out the door and into the hallway, heading toward the mess hall. Na tugged at his elbow.

"Not energeon," na mumbled.

Thundercracker sighed. "We're with the Autobots, we drink energeon. When we stay with the Seekers, we can hunt."

Soundwave's shoulders lowered.

"Why can't we just catch something and bring it back?" Na complained.

Thundercracker's processor summoned his older memory files. In particular, one of him bringing a freshly caught scraplet to Prowl and being chastised for it.

"Autobots don't hunt," Thundercracker said.

They entered the mess hall after a long silence. The mess hall—which was normally empty—was strangely crowded. Mecha clustered together, taking up many of the tables. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe caught his optics. Sunstreaker waved at him. Thundercracker waved back. But as he stepped toward them, something tugged at his arm.

He turned toward Soundwave. Na inclined nas helm toward the other side of the room. Ahead of them, Sunstorm, Bitstream, and Hotlink sat at a table. Two petrorabbits were laid out on top of it, steadily leaking energeon. All of the tables surrounding them were empty. The mess hall wasn't actually crowded—the Autobots present had compressed themselves into the other half of it. They stared warily at the Seekers, tension hanging on the air.

Thundercracker wanted to sit with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. But he couldn't neglect his duties. He waved to them again and headed toward Sunstorm and nas trinemates. As he approached, they raised their wings in greeting. He raised his back.

"You're here," he said.

He hadn't expected Sunstorm to come this soon. Na was so reluctant. But he had requested Bitstream and Hotlink work with the Autobots like they asked, so maybe Sunstorm had given in and went with them.

"Yes," Sunstorm said. "That dirtkisser is… certainly something."

Soundwave reached for one of the petrorabbits. Hotlink slid it toward nam. Taking the offering for what it was, na severed its fuel line and drank.

"You're already spoken with Deftclaw?" Thundercracker asked.

Another thought occurred to him: Sunstorm could speak with Ratchet. That meant na also had a Common language packet. Did na get nas from the same place Starscream got kas?

"Yes," Sunstorm said. "Na gave us some disappointing news."

Hotlink paused in the middle of prying a scute of plating from the petrorabbit in waz claws.

"It's only disappointing if you let it be," wa said.

Sunstorm closed nas optics and sighed. Curiosity bit at Thundercracker's plating. Sunstorm had wanted to know what would prevent a Seeker from carrying a newspark. Vorns ago, Starscream mentioned nam when ka told Thundercracker about Seekers falsely kindling after Data Hunger. Was Sunstorm not able to conceive? Was that what Ratchet confirmed?

"What was it?" Thundercracker asked.

Sunstorm's wings lowered. Hotlink laid the scute wa had finally pried off on the table and leaned forward.

"I'll put it this way: Bitstream will be our trine's dam," Hotlink said.

The mentioned mech's wings fluttered, a tinge of excitement on the air. Ka smiled.

"Isn't ka a Claw?" Thundercracker asked.

All Seekers could both sire and carry, but so far, Thundercracker had only seen Sparks gravid. Sunstorm emphasized Sparks as dams so strongly that Thundercracker assumed carrying litters was reserved for only that role.

Sunstorm's wings flicked.

"Sparks are the ones who usually carry seekerlings," na said. "It… pains me that I cannot. But a gravid Claw is not unheard of."

"In my birth flock, Claws were the ones who carried most," Hotlink said. "Imagine my shock when I got to the Decepticons and Sparks were the flock's primary dams instead!"

Thundercracker hummed. It only confirmed what he realized about the roles before: they were constructed and learned rather than being innate. Different flocks had different expectations. If only he could meet those flocks…

Maybe someday, when all of this was over. When there was peace and no one had to worry about being shot down when going for a flight. Then, Thundercracker could visit the other flocks and learn about their traditions. Maybe there would be Seekers of multiple or no roles like him.

The air shifted. Thundercracker's wings twitched as he searched for the source of the shift. Prowl stood a short distance from the table, arms folded. How did he get there without Thundercracker noticing? Was he that stuck in his own thoughts?

"Hey, Prowl," Thundercracker said.

Prowl dipped his helm. "Thundercracker. Can you tell your… subjects to take this elsewhere? It's causing a disturbance."

"Disturbance?"

Sunstorm's voice cut through the air. Nas accent, like Starscream's, was thick.

"Yes," Prowl said, grimacing. "I was paged several times."

Sunstorm gestured to the partially dismantled petrorabbits. "This disturbs you?"

"Enough of us for it to be my problem," Prowl said.

"Why?" Sunstorm said. "It cannot be because of the spilt energeon. You spill enough of it. It cannot be because of the dismantlement. You dismantle us enough. It cannot be because of the death. You kill us enough. So why does this disturb you?"

"It's barbaric," Prowl said, furrowing his brow.

"Barbaric," Sunstorm said. "What a special word. It is barbaric to fuel? It is barbaric to kill with purpose? To use what is killed? Or is it because we are Seekers and not petrorabbits that we enjoy your cruelty?"

Prowl's doors twitched. Irritation rose in the air.

"You don't need to kill to live," he said.

"We must fuel to live," Sunstorm said. "Energeon alone cannot sustain us like it sustains you. Or do you not know this?"

Energeon alone… Thundercracker knew the energeon he drank while he was with the Autobots was enriched, but he assumed that was the case for everyone. Was it not?

"I know," Prowl said.

"So, you would rather we starve than fuel just because what we must do to live disgusts you?" Sunstorm said.

Prowl frowned. "That isn't what I said."

Sunstorm tapped nas claws on the table.

"What else am I meant to assume?" Na asked. "You tell us this is where we fuel and then you tell us we cannot bring our fuel here."

Thundercracker leaned in, placing himself between Sunstorm and Prowl.

"Prowl, please," he said.

Prowl looked his way. His gaze softened.

"Fine," he said. "I will allow it. But clean up after yourselves. There's line energeon all over the floor."

Sunstorm hummed. Nas gaze didn't leave Prowl even as he turned away.

"Thank you," Thundercracker said softly.

With a brief nod, Prowl was gone. Silence settled over the table. Sunstorm and nas trinemates returned to eating. Something nudged Thundercracker's arm. He accepted the scute of petrorabbit Soundwave offered him.

"They're all like that," Soundwave said.

Na could hear what the Autobots refused to voice. Thundercracker didn't want to believe it, but he knew it was the truth. As they were, the Autobots wouldn't accept Seekers. He had been pulled aside and scolded for things he learned were natural too many times to count.

"I know," Thundercracker said.

A commlink required connection from both sides—sending and receiving. If one side refused to receive, the other's messages would never go anywhere. If one side refused to send, the other would never hear from them. Mending the relationship between Seeker and Autobot was the same.

The Seekers could forsake their biases, sure. That would allow them to mend ties. But those biases arose for a reason. Autobots had harmed many Seekers, and killed many more. The hatred and revulsion Seekers held toward Autobots wasn't blind—it was a matter of self defense. Individuals like Megatron took it too far, but it came from real harm done to them.

The Autobots had experienced cruelty from Seekers, but it wasn't on the same scale. There were many mecha stationed at this very base who had lost loved ones to battles. But the Autobots attacked as often as they were attacked, if not more. The things they hated about Seekers were things they couldn't change, like their diet. The Autobots' goal wasn't self-defense—it was eradication.

If they wanted peace, it was the Autobots who would have to change the most.

!!!

Thundercracker heard it before they had even reached the hall—a familiar screeching. It was accompanied by howls, and as he drew closer, hisses. Thundercracker's spark froze. With Soundwave at his side, he sprinted to the door and pressed the button. It flew open.

Magenta and purple blurs zipped around the room, the occasional sound of thrusters activating consuming all other noise. Scorchmarks and scratches were littered around the floor, accented by splashes of energeon. Whatever had caused this, it had been going on for a while.

With a yowl, Starscream stuck Skywarp in the face. Wa yelped and struck back, but ka dodged it with ease. Skywarp turned and fled, but Starscream grabbed wan by the wing and dragged wan back. Whipping around, wa bit Starscream's bad arm. Starscream released wan with a hiss.

Wa struck Starscream, but as quickly as wa gained the upper hand, wa lost it. Starscream charged forward with a growl, slamming wan into the wall. Ka raked kas claws down Skywarp's chest repeatedly, growling all the while. Wa struggled, but was unable to get free. Fear consumed the air, turning it cold and biting.

Thundercracker had enough. Launching himself forward, he slammed into Starscream. Ka yelped as kan was pinned. At first, ka didn't struggle, going completely limp. Thundercracker pushed ka into the floor with as much force as he could muster.

"What's wrong with you?" He hissed.

First, refusing to leave him alone this morning. Now, attacking Skywarp. Something was deeply wrong, but Thundercracker was starting to suspect it wasn't anything he could have guessed.

Rather than replying, Starscream let out a series of high pitched whines, struggling beneath him.

"You attacked Skywarp," Thundercracker said. "Why?"

Again, Starscream didn't respond, struggling in vain. Thundercracker pressed kan harder into the ground to cease the squirming. Ka closed kas optics. Kas wings quivered, plating rattling as kas entire frame shook.

"Starscream, please," Thundercracker said. "What's going on? Why did you hurt Skywarp?"

Starscream went limp again. Slowly, Thundercracker released kan. It proved to be a mistake. The moment Thundercracker's grip loosened, Starscream pulled kaz free and shot out the door. A small trail of energeon was left in kas wake.

What was Thundercracker supposed to make of that? Why wouldn't Starscream explain?

He sighed. Starscream was always closed off. Whatever the issue was, he would need to find kan later. He turned his attention toward Skywarp. Wa was frozen, staring at the doorway as wa clutched waz injured chest.

Wa flinched as Thundercracker approached. Tension hung on the air—anxiety was present, but the all-consuming fear Thundercracker had walked into was gone now. Thundercracker knelt in front of wan.

"What happened?" He asked.

Skywarp's wings twitched as wa hesitated.

"We had an argument," wa said softly. "I don't like how ka has been acting, so I told kan how I felt and… I didn't expect kan to do that."

Thundercracker wouldn't have, either. Ka was snippy, but ka hadn't actually hurt either of them until now. Quite the opposite, actually—ka helped and protected them. If Starscream had attacked anyone else, Thundercracker would have assumed ka was provoked. But Skywarp? Wa was always soft-spoken and sweet. What could Skywarp possibly have done to elicit such a response?

"Ka broke the rule," Skywarp said softly.

Thundercracker's wings twitched. "What rule?"

Skywarp's claws traced the wounds on waz chest. "Claws aren't supposed to hurt their trinemates."

The scratches on waz chest were easy to see. They leaked small beads of energeon. Thundercracker wrapped his arms loosely around Skywarp and pulled wan up. Wa leaned into him. Despite the smears of energeon everywhere—the walls, the ceiling, even the nest—Skywarp had few visible injuries. But Thundercracker knew these things could be deceptive.

Ratchet always told him to visit the medbay when he was hurt. If it was minor, the worst he would get was a stern lecture or an exasperated sigh. If it was something worse, Ratchet would fix it. So, that was where he took Skywarp. Soundwave trailed after them.

The medbay was quiet when they entered. The other medics were on break, but Ratchet never was. When Thundercracker was younger, he used to think Ratchet slept in the medbay because he never saw him leave it. Though he later learned that was false, there was a spare berth hidden in the back of one of the storage rooms. No one could prove Ratchet hadn't recharged in it at least once.

To his surprise, it was not red and white plating that greeted his sight but yellow. Sunstorm stood beside Ratchet, the two huddled in front of a monitor. Na was the first to notice their entrance.

"Thundercracker and Skywarp," na said—in Common—as nas optics scanned their frames. "What happened?"

Ratchet frowned, his brow setting sternly. He motioned toward one of the berths. Thundercracker led Skywarp onto it. Sunstorm immediately got to work, examining Skywarp's frame. Ratchet handed nam a cleaning pad, which na used to gently scrub away the energeon that coated Skywarp's frame.

With it washed away, Skywarp's seeming lack of wounds became more apparent. There were thin scratches on waz chest, and one from when Starscream grabbed waz wings, but little else.

"An awful lot of energeon for such shallow wounds," Sunstorm said. "Who did you fight and where are they now?"

"Starscream," Thundercracker said. "I walked in on it and broke it up. He ran away. I don't know where he went."

Starscream protested against being referred to kan as small, so Thundercracker went the other direction and referred to him as large. He didn't care, but the crease of Ratchet's brow told him the choice was noticed.

Sunstorm hummed. "My sibling has always been prone to fits."

"Fits?" Thundercracker repeated.

Sunstorm began cleaning Skywarp's scratches. "You have seen her. She has always been like this."

Thundercracker noted the use of small. He didn't know if Sunstorm heard Starscream's protests. Na wasn't in the room when they were made, so na would've had to hear them secondhand. But still…

Starscream was foul-tempered, but ka hadn't hurt him or Skywarp until now. Ka showed immense patience with Soundwave and Windshear, despite kas initial disdain for the former. When in pain, ka tended to get grouchy, but the only times Thundercracker saw Starscream throwing anything resembling a fit were after interacting with Sunstorm or Megatron.

"Don't worry," Sunstorm said, pausing between applications of salve. "Ka will come back eventually. Ka always does."

Starscream was out there somewhere, alone and injured. As upset as Thundercracker was that ka hurt Skywarp, ka was still his trinemate. Something was wrong, and Thundercracker hadn't even had the chance to find out what.

He left Skywarp and Soundwave back at the room, but not before an intense cuddling session that his processor spent the entire duration of worrying about Starscream. He knew he should have been concerned for Skywarp—wa was the one who was attacked—but Skywarp was here, and Starscream was who knew where. And Soundwave had seen the whole thing! He should've been angry with Starscream. Part of him was.

But as he searched the clearing the Decepticons had made their temporary home in and didn't see kas distinctive magenta plating anywhere, worry continued to eat away at his frame. One of Skywarp's remarks from before came back to him—ka had broken a role related rule. Starscream valued kas role highly. It was the reason for their recent argument. This just wasn't like kan at all.

Thundercracker felt Blast's presence before he saw nam. Nas hand hovered near Thundercracker's shoulder, quickly withdrawing as he turned toward nam.

"What's wrong?" Na asked.

Thundercracker closed his optics, his wings drooping. "Starscream is gone. We don't know where ka went."

He forced himself to open his optics, watching Blast's face. All he was rewarded with was a small frown.

"We haven't seen kan," Blast said. "But we'll keep an optic out."

It was the most he could ask for.

Thundercracker flew. When he didn't see Starscream anywhere, he called. As the sun fell below the horizon and his voice grew further and further coated in static, he had to admit defeat. Any messages in the trinelink received no response.

He would just have to wait.

The lack of response didn't stop him from going out every night and calling. Seekers operated on slightly different timetables from Autobots. While Autobots preferred only the light hours of the cycle, Seekers tended to be most active towards the start and end of the cycle, sleeping most during the middle of both night and day. Thundercracker slept during neither, missing recharge to call for Starscream.

He knew it was unhealthy, but he couldn't stop himself. Every time he laid in the nest, all he could think of was that Starscream wasn't there. Skywarp slept soundly. Wa didn't seem to mind as much as he did. It only made him feel more guilty.

Tiredness pulled at his frame. He sank to his knees, letting out one final call before his vocalizer fritzed out, his voice enveloped by static. It would recover in a few moments, but he wouldn't be able to speak at full volume for the rest of the cycle. That didn't matter. Starscream was still out there. There were no message delivery errors in the trinelink, so ka had to be alive.

"Skywarp is looking for you."

Thundercracker jumped, whirling toward the voice. It was familiar, but he didn't know the speaker's name. Before him was a figure that he barely remembered, red and blue plating reflecting the rising sun. The Autobot. The one he let go the first time he fought alongside the Seekers.

A mixture of relief and horror flowed through him. The Autobot was alive! But now he was staring down a mech whose loved ones he had killed. Soundwave was different. He eventually learned that Soundwave had no loved ones even before his creators were killed. But this mech? Thundercracker could still recall his cries.

"Oh," Thundercracker said, having no words. What was he supposed to say? 'Sorry I killed your friend, please don't be mad?'

"It's difficult, isn't it?" The Autobot said.

Thundercracker's wings twitched. "What is?"

"Losing someone," the Autobot said quietly.

"He's not dead," Thundercracker said. At the Autobot's silence, he said again, "He's not. Or I would feel it. We're linked."

Bonded was the word Autobots would use for their equivalent of trine. It was so similar, yet so different. There were no minimums to bonds, and no maximums. Trines were always three. But bonds were not as intensely woven into daily functions, if Thundercracker understood them correctly.

The Autobot frowned. "I see…"

"It—it's different," Thundercracker said. "I know he's out there. But I don't know where he is or if he's okay. I need him here. I need to know he's safe. The link is the only way I know he's alive right now."

His spark hurt. Every moment in a nest with one less member was hollow. How did Blast ever cope with losing nas trinemates? Thundercracker knew Starscream was alive and he still couldn't rest. In the past, when the other place beside him was empty, Starscream was only a short flight away. Thundercracker could drag kan back with ease. But now…

"Her name was Elita."

The Autobot's voice was firm but in an unexpectedly gentle way.

"Who?" Thundercracker said.

"My bondmate," The Autobot said. "The mech you killed that day."

Thundercracker's wings drooped. If the Autobot wanted him to feel guilty, it was working. At least he had a name for that face now.

"I'm sorry," Thundercracker said. "She hurt Skywarp and I couldn't…"

The Autobot stepped closer. "She was protecting me, just like you were protecting Skywarp."

The guilt only grew stronger. Thundercracker forced himself to stay still as the Autobot closed the gap between them.

"I can't hold it against you," the Autobot said. "We were both trying to survive. But I want you to know who she was."

Thundercracker closed his optics and hung his helm. He knew the Autobot wouldn't understand the gesture—wouldn't know it was a thousand silent apologies—yet he did it anyway. Thundercracker yielded.

"Now I do," he said quietly. "But… who are you?"

"Optimus," the Autobot said. "Optimus… Prime. Though, I fear I've lost that title."

Thundercracker stiffened, his wings rising in alert. A Prime? Primes were graduates of the Autobot Academy, trained in all sorts of skills and almost always placed into a position of authority. The title was required in order to hold any position of power. For a Prime, losing their title was losing their purpose.

"I'm sorry," Thundercracker said.

If the Seekers hadn't attacked, Optimus wouldn't have lost his title. His village would still be alive. Megatron had justified it by saying more Autobots would come if they didn't kill them, but what came of that? After vorns of fighting, the Autobots found them and drove them out of their home anyway.

"I already said I don't hold it against you," Optimus said. "We were enemies at the time. But you spared my life. I wouldn't have survived if you didn't let me go. I know what the Seekers did to other villages."

"I just wish it hadn't happened," Thundercracker said. "Our lead Seeker directed us to attack you because you were traveling through our territory. Starscream protested it. I did too. But there was no changing his mind."

"We weren't told," Optimus said. "If we had known, we would've taken a different route."

Them not knowing was the only explanation that made sense. But such a large group was likely directed by the Magnus. That was standard protocol Prowl had drilled into Thundercracker's mind, although he didn't recall most of the details. Mecha whose homes were destroyed often passed through or even permanently moved to the base, with notice always given ahead of time by one of the Magnus's aides.

The Magnus had to know. Prowl had maps of estimated Seeker territories from them. That was how they figured out where to strike.

"Why would they send you that way?" Thundercracker asked.

Optimus's brow furrowed.

"That's the question," He said. "If I tell you something, can you keep it quiet?"

Thundercracker nodded. "I won't share it with anyone."

Optimus closed his optics, going still for a moment. Then, he turned toward Thundercracker, determination blazing in his optics.

"Prowl and I think we were misrouted on purpose," he said. "The route I was given doesn't match the one he was given. We've been consulting with other bases for evidence, and it's only been piling up—misroutes, dropped and delayed communications, undeclared operations. Something is happening, and someone at the top is keeping it secret."

Thundercracker didn't know what to say. If Prowl believed something was wrong, then it definitely was. Optimus and his mecha passing through Seeker territory made a lot more sense if there was sabotage going on. But why? Wouldn't there be more effective methods?

"We're going to get an appointment with the Magnus," Optimus said. "We can't risk alerting whoever is doing this."

"How?" Thundercracker asked.

The Magnus was difficult to get ahold of. Mecha didn't just get appointments with the Magnus.

"We'll travel to Iacon," Optimus said. "From there, we'll just have to hope."

When Thundercracker went back to the base, the knowledge weighed heavy on his spark. Did it have anything to do with those Autobots trying to capture them? That other Autobot told Sentinel the Seekers were wanted alive. Why?

And did Prowl and the others know about it, or was it an 'undeclared operation?'

!!!

The orns snuck up on Thundercracker. They blended together—sleepless nights with an empty part of the nest. Prowl and Optimus were due to travel in just a couple of decacycles. Thundercracker's plating itched, and he was restless, but there was little time for him to focus on that between helping them prepare and managing the flock. At least Sunstorm had convinced the other Seekers to accept treatment from Ratchet as long as na was there to supervise.

Thundercracker sipped his energeon, sighing into it. Refueling was one of the few free moments of the day he had. Across from him, Prowl took a long sip of his. His creator—Prowl let him call him that now—always refueled quickly, never letting himself enjoy it. Thundercracker knew now that it was because there was rarely a break for a mech responsible for what he was responsible for.

"I had to break up Dirge and Dreadwing the other day," Thundercracker said.

Prowl hummed, inviting him to continue.

"Apparently, Dreadwing's trine was recharging in the corner of the burrow that Dirge's trine had been recharging in for the past few cycles," Thundercracker said. "Neither of them wanted to give it up."

The scratch on his arm from Dreadwing's claws still stung. The two Claws were so locked into battle that they didn't notice Thundercracker came between them until they had already attacked. Although staying in a single burrow was the most efficient—and safest—thing to do, Thundercracker was beginning to understand why the flock hadn't shared one before. Over the past handful of decacyles, he even had to stop himself from letting out a growl or two when he caught other Seekers sleeping in his place.

"And Bitstream is sparked, so now Sunstorm wants a private burrow," Thundercracker said. "I can't do that! The others will all ask for one and then the ground will fall in because it's too unstable, or—or we'll run out of space because we have to keep that from happening, and I just… I promised I would take Soundwave on a hunt today but now I have to go tell Sunstorm I can't give him a private burrow!"

"Welcome to my world," Prowl said.

Thundercracker stopped staring into his energeon and looked up. A small smile occupied Prowl's face. Amusement—muffled but present, as Prowl's emotions always were—drifted on the air.

"I know!" Thundercracker groaned. "Doesn't make it any less stressful."

Prowl placed his cube on the table with a quiet click.

"Look," he said. "You're doing a good job. That's why they're listening to you."

The temptation to pout like a newspark was difficult to resist. Thundercracker knew that. It was what everyone said. But he didn't want to do this. He never asked to be Winglord, or for Starscream to leave, or…

"Thanks," Thundercracker said, because it was all he could say.

He missed when his spare moments with Prowl were spent showing him a new move he figured out, or a cool thing he found outside. Scrap, he even missed Prowl's boring lectures. Now, all he was doing was complaining. It was all he had time for.

He downed the rest of his cube and stood up.

"I should get going," he said.

!!!

The meeting with Sunstorm went about as well as Thundercracker expected. That was to say: Sunstorm passive-aggressively talked his audials out and Thundercracker kept reminding nam why he couldn't give them a private burrow until eventually na ran out of steam and Hotlink and Bitstream chimed in. They managed to convince nam that it was okay not to have one, and Thundercracker kept himself from asking them why they couldn't have said something before.

Skywarp was already gone with Soundwave. He could've asked where they were and joined them, but he was tired. So, he leaned back against a tree at the edge of the clearing and waited. The milling about of the flock became background noise, slowly lulling him into recharge.

But as he began drifting off, a conversation reached his audials. He startled awake, catching his name somewhere within it. He turned up the sensitivity of his audials, knowing he shouldn't eavesdrop, but too curious not to.

"Everything is so much better now."

Ramjet's voice.

"It is."

Thrust.

A quiet grunt of agreement from Dirge. Then, Ramjet spoke again.

"It's nice to finally have a Spark in charge again," wa said. "Claws just aren't supposed to lead."

Thundercracker leaned forward. They were just ahead of him, huddled against a tree of their own.

"They're too violent," Thrust said. "They don't know what it means to nurture like Sparks do."

Thundercracker dug his claws into the ground. Anger and fear rose up inside him in equal measure. Starscream was nothing but gentle with Windshear. Was that not nurturing?

Claws were as nurturing as Sparks, because Claws were capable of anything Sparks were capable of. Thundercracker bit his tongue, quelling the urge to say it aloud. He knew the Seekers held these sorts of beliefs, but it still hurt. He felt safe around Thrust's trine, but now he couldn't anymore. Not if they viewed Claws like that.

How would they feel if they found out what he actually was? Would they decide he was actually secretly violent all along? Would they decide he wasn't capable of caring for news parks anymore? All because he identified himself differently than they wanted him to?

He ran his claws down his arms—not enough to hurt, but enough to exert pressure. He wanted to peel his plating off piece by piece. Maybe then, whatever was left would be free from all of this.

Hotlink said the Claws in waz birth flock carried Seekerlings. If anyone would understand, it would be Hotlink. And that was all Thundercracker needed.

He rose, tuning out the conversations of those around him as he made his way back toward Sunstorm's trine. As usual, Sunstorm had gone back to managing nas supplies. Between Hotlink and Bitstream was a half-disassembled ray gun. They looked up at him, wings raised in greeting.

"Can I talk to Hotlink?" Thundercracker asked.

Hotlink placed the part wa was inspecting on the ground. After a glance toward Sunstorm, wa leaped up. Thundercracker turned away. They headed toward the forest.

"What's up?" Hotlink asked.

Thundercracker flicked his wing. They weren't far enough to be unheard yet. He waited to respond until they were.

"You said that in the flock you came from, Claws were the ones who had seekerlings," he said.

Hotlink shuffled, biting waz lip. "I did."

Thundercracker took a step, then another, quickly breaking into an anxious pace. His spark turned quickly, sending an electric tension throughout his frame.

"So different flocks view the roles differently," he said. "They only mean what the flock believes."

"Yeah," Hotlink said.

Thundercracker froze. Wa said it so lightly, with no doubt or fear. Waz plating was relaxed, waz stance even more so. After Starscream had been so angry with him and Skywarp had dismissed it as being the fault of him growing up among Autobots, he hadn't expected such a casual acceptance.

It pushed him to keep going.

"So if other flocks have different beliefs, then maybe… there are Seekers who aren't just one of the three. Or any at all."

Hotlink's wings twitched. Wa stared at him, scrutinizing. Then, wa turned away.

"Stay here," wa said.

Wa took off. Thundercracker's pacing renewed. Hotlink hadn't seemed upset, but maybe he said something wrong. Maybe Hotlink didn't actually understand it, and was about to tell the flock about it. If Hotlink told the flock…

Thundercracker shuddered. He was the main reason the Autobots and Seekers hadn't attacked each other. If the flock were angry with him, they would stop listening to his commands not to fight. If they attacked him, the Autobots would attack them. Prowl loved him enough not to care about peace. He knew that.

Pedesteps grew closer. Thundercracker forced himself to stay. Behind Hotlink were three mecha—Jetfire, Jetstorm, and Acid Storm. Thundercracker had never spoken with Acid Storm, and only recognized ka because kas green plating was so distinct.

There was no anger on the air, only trepidation. Still, Thundercracker's plating tightened. There were three of them and only one of him. He took a step back as they approached.

Hotlink paused in front of him, then sat. Wa motioned for him to do the same. Spark still turning rapidly, Thundercracker obeyed. Jetstorm and Jetfire settled on one side while Acid Storm settled on the other.

Hotlink scanned the group. Wa motioned vaguely with waz hand. "Who's going to start?"

The rest of the group shifted awkwardly. A brief silence fell over them before Jetfire finally spoke up, voice quiet and hesitant.

"I and Jetstorm did not do growing with the roles," Jetfire said. "Jetstorm did the choosing of Wing. I… did not like any of the choices. They are not me. But the flock does the knowing of me as a Spark."

That sounded a lot like Thundercracker. But Thundercracker wasn't completely disconnected from the roles. They just restricted him. And if Jetstorm chose to be a Wing after growing up without roles, that meant some Seekers in his position did become comfortable in trine roles. Thundercracker just wasn't one of them.

"I'm a Claw and a Spark." Acid Storm's voice was steady, kas wings held high. "The flock knows me as a Claw, but my trine knows I'm both."

That was what Thundercracker thought he was, before he realized he felt no difference. He arrived to the flock from the outside, traveling like a Wing. He nurtured seekerlings and led like Sparks were supposed to. He protected his trine and flock like a Claw. And though he knew that those roles weren't set in stone—there was nothing stopping a Claw or Wing from having seekerlings, or a Spark from fighting, or Claw from leading—it was the perceptions of others that trapped him. It was his spark that hurt when he was viewed as only one part of his greater whole. That lack of separation was why he was all of them.

"I—" The words caught in Thundercracker's vocalizer. "I'm all three."

That was what he wanted to be. That was where he found comfort. But as silence stretched on, his confidence—what little of it there was—waned.

"I know there's nothing stopping a Claw or a Spark or a Wing from doing what the other roles do," he said. "Not physically. And being called a Spark was wrong but not wrong enough. Everyone else seemed fine, but I couldn't… I was trapped. Even when I knew there were no real restrictions, I was trapped."

Quiet fell over the group again. Its members exchanged glances. Thundercracker wilted. Now would be where things went wrong, just as they went wrong before. They would tell him all three was impossible. That he was mocking them.

"What do you want us to call you?" Hotlink said.

The question caught Thundercracker so off guard that he nearly flinched. What should they call him? He had no idea. If he was a Spark, there would be no problem with being called one. There would not be any problem with being called a Claw or a Wing, either. But the idea of saying it was fine to call him a Spark made him hesitate—not because he wasn't one, but because that was a reminder that most Seekers would only see that part of him.

"Anything," he finally said.

For the first time, he didn't want to shrink when another Seeker looked at him.

!!!

Thundercracker landed. The flock settled close enough to the Autobots for the distance to be walked or driven, but he felt like flying. As he touched down, the Autobots guarding the perimeter paused. They watched him, clutching their guns anxiously, until recognition crossed their faces.

Thundercracker wished their first instinct wasn't to shoot. But from their perspective, Seekers were dangerous. He couldn't undo generations of war in a few orns. But he was trying.

Thundercracker approached the entrance, the two guards nodding at him. Then, the sky screamed.

Dirt sank into Thundercracker's seams as he was forced sideways. He grunted, plating stinging from where he hit the ground. Claws dug into his chest and pedes pressed into his abdomen. Against the midday sun, magenta plating shone.

"Starscream?" Thundercracker said.

His first impulse was relief. Starscream was alive! But his second recognized the situation for what it was. Above him, Starscream hissed, dentae bared and wings rattling.

"Starscream," Thundercracker said more firmly.

Ka growled. Thundercracker rolled, throwing kan off. As ka struggled to kas pedes, he glanced at the guards. The two Autobots reached for their guns.

A strike to his cheek caught Thundercracker off guard. He staggered backward. One of the guards aimed their blaster. It hummed as it powered up. Thundercracker blocked Starscream's second strike.

Scrap. They were going to shoot.

Thundercracker leaped and took off. The scream of a jet engine behind him told him that Starscream had followed. He kept flying—toward the Seekers' temporary camp, then beyond. When he was far enough past everything, he dove. Starscream dove with him, altering the steepness of kas dive so that ka crashed on top of him as they landed.

But Thundercracker had prepared for that. At the last possible moment, he changed position, drifting just out of kas range. Ka landed heavily. But the botched landing didn't keep kan down for long. Before Thundercracker could prepare himself, ka was already up, kas swords at the ready.

Frantically, Thundercracker took whatever he could to block the blow. He ducked behind trees when he could—anything to avoid taking a hit. Eventually, he saw a moment and seized it, dodging yet another swipe before slamming a branch he grabbed into Starscream's wrists.

It wasn't enough to break kas old injury, but it was enough to force kan to let go of the swords. Thundercracker leaped on kan, pinning kan to the ground. Starscream struggled beneath him, hissing and growling. Ka was nothing but a flurry of claws.

"Yield," Thundercracker said.

He knew what this was.

"No!" Starscream spat.

He didn't want to be right.

"Why are you doing this?" Thundercracker said. "Just surrender. I don't want to fight."

Starscream kicked. Thundercracker flinched at the pain it caused, but remained steady.

"I can't," Starscream said.

Thundercracker adjusted his grip. Taking advantage of the brief freedom it afforded kan, Starscream launched kaz upward, striking Thundercracker in the face. Both Seekers stumbled backward.

"You don't understand," Starscream said. "You're never going to. I need to do this."

"Why?" Thundercracker said.

Starscream shook kas helm and charged. Thundercracker sidestepped the attack. All of Starscream's blows had been sloppy—as if ka were a panicked mechanical rather than a warrior. Ka stumbled in an effort to avoid running straight into a tree. Before ka could regain kas footing, Thundercracker slammed ka into that tree.

"Please," Thundercracker said.

Starscream struggled in his grip, but kas struggles died as quickly as they began. The whirr of fans reached Thundercracker's audials. Starscream's plating was thin and brittle beneath his claws, so breakable that he could bend it if he put any more pressure.

"What am I?" Starscream said. "What am I if I'm not Winglord?"

"You're Starscream," Thundercracker said. "My trinemate who helped me take down Megatron. Who supported me. You're one of the Seekers I love."

Starscream went limp, kas optics falling along with kas wings.

"Love," ka mumbled bitterly. "Look at me. I'm not worth anything."

A realization crept to the front of Thundercracker's processor. Starscream's creators died when ka was young, leaving kan with Sunstorm. The less said about kas relationship with Sunstorm, the better. The rest of the flock viewed kan as an entitled brat, unwilling to follow kan and insulting kan with ease. Kas sparkling-like plan of becoming Winglord and having power over all Seekers wasn't a true plan—it was a fantasy ka escaped into.

Thundercracker wrapped his arms around Starscream, holding kan close even as ka made weak efforts to squirm away.

"You're worth something to me," Thundercracker said. "When you were gone, I couldn't sleep. I missed you. I needed to know you were okay."

Starscream finally gave in, returning the embrace and burying kas helm in Thundercracker's chest. Kas plating shook as kas grip tightened, holding Thundercracker as if letting go would cause him to vanish. But Thundercracker wasn't going anywhere.

It was easy to forget that Starscream, like all individuals, had fears. Not because ka didn't show them, but because of how ka showed them. Skywarp trembled and hid, but Starscream responded in the opposite way—facing kas fears with bared dentae and claws at the ready. Fight was as valid a response to fear as flight or freeze, but it didn't invoke compassion the same way the other two did.

As he led Starscream back toward the base, kas gaze remained low. Ka didn't look up even as they passed through the middle of the flock's new camp. All the way back to their room, ka was silent. When they entered, Skywarp jumped up, running toward Thundercracker.

Wa paused as waz optics landed on Starscream. Kas wings shook. Ka lowered kas helm further. Skywarp's optics narrowed.

"Oh," wa said. Wa bit waz lip. "Did ka hurt you?"

Skywarp reached out, attempting to examine Thundercracker, but he gently brushed wan off. He led Starscream to the nest, pulling ka down. Ka went limp—as always—allowing Thundercracker to bring kan down with ease. Both he and Starscream would need medical exams, but not now. As Skywarp settled on his other side, he pulled Starscream close. With that side of the nest no longer empty, Thundercracker was finally able to rest.

When he woke in the morning, the spot was empty again. Starscream laid a short distance away from the nest, shivering, and no amount of coaxing or dragging could bring kan back in.

Starscream remained completely silent over the next few cycles. Ka obeyed every command he gave, a silent shadow of kaz. Every time Thundercracker left the room without kan, ka hesitated, reaching for him, but never spoke even then. A visit to Ratchet revealed very little.

"There's nothing physically wrong with her vocalizer," Ratchet said. "By all means, she should be able to speak."

Starscream didn't even protest the use of small to reference kan. Thundercracker's spark sank. Aside from the wounds ka sustained and starvation-induced weight loss, Ratchet could find nothing abnormal.

"Make sure she fuels," Ratchet said, handing him a pack of specially enriched cubes—the kind reserved for situations exactly like this.

Starscream accepted the fuel without complaint. Ka always drank it slowly, pausing frequently to stare into it with a blank expression. When they ate in the mess hall, Starscream was dead to the world, completely ignoring the others at the table.

Thundercracker didn't know what to do. So, when he caught Starscream sitting in the corner of the room, a datapad on kas lap opened to a diagram of a cybercat's internals, he sat next to kan and pulled kan close. Starscream still refused to sit in the nest—where Skywarp was currently lounging beside Soundwave, sending kan the occasional wary glance.

"What're you reading?" Thundercracker asked.

Starscream turned the datapad toward him slightly. It was in Common. All of the datapads were. Vosian had no formal writing system. Starscream couldn't read at all, so there was no telling what ka was actually looking at the datapad for. It was possible to create and update language packets manually, but it was a difficult and long process prone to frequent errors. Was Starscream trying to use the datapad to update kas?

Thundercracker reached over and rubbed Starscream's helm. Ka leaned into the touch, nuzzling him. Then, ka leaned further and further into him, purring in that desperate way he only heard once before.

Physical ailments or not, Starscream was hurting. Thundercracker could recognize that. He just didn't know how to fix it.

Thundercracker ran the data through his processor again. Ka called kaz worthless. Ka asked what kan was if ka wasn't Winglord. Kas wanted to have power over everyone. That was it. Starscream felt powerless. That was why ka attacked Skywarp, and why ka attempted to attack him. Thundercracker would have to show Starscream that ka was powerful and worth something.

An alarm went off as Thundercracker's chronometer incremented. Scrap. He nearly forgot. It would have to wait. Gently, he detached himself from Starscream as he rose. Ka stared up at him, wings lowering.

Thundercracker could bring Starscream with him. But then he would also have to bring Skywarp, and then Soundwave couldn't stay in the room alone. None of them knew about what Prowl and Optimus were going to do. It was best they didn't. So, as he entered the hall, he left Starscream and the others behind.

Prowl and Optimus were already waiting. Arcee and Ratchet flanked them—the only two others aware of what was to come. Thundercracker hugged Prowl. It was returned without hesitation.

"Good luck," Thundercracker whispered.

"We'll give updates for as long as we can," Prowl said.

'As long as they could' wouldn't amount to much. The journey would take orns without a transport—which had been refused for reasons that were never explained to them—and Iacon's signal blockers would render outside communication impossible once they reached its limits. But it was more than nothing.

"I know," Thundercracker said.

He had only been reunited with his creator for such a short time, and already they were torn apart again. But it was for a good cause. Thundercracker would just have to hope they succeeded.

Thundercracker held on for as long as he could, knowing it may be the last time he touched Prowl for a long time. But eventually, it had to end. They said their goodbyes, and Prowl and Optimus were gone.

Thundercracker went back to his room with a heavy spark.

The hall wasn't quiet. He couldn't tell what it was, but as he approached the door, he knew it wasn't normal. He entered the code and it opened. The sound became clearer—high-pitched, repeated whines. The air was soaked in fear. Soundwave pressed naz into the farthest corner of the room, datapad pulled close to nas chest.

It was too familiar. Fury rose in Thundercracker's spark. How could kan? He bared his dentae and flexed his claws. But as he turned, the sight froze his fuel lines.

It wasn't magenta atop purple, but purple atop magenta. Skywarp pinned Starscream to the wall, a snarl on waz face.

"What were you thinking?" Wa hissed. "What were you thinking?"

Starscream struggled in waz grip, whining like a distressed seekerling. Skywarp growled.

Thundercracker had seen enough. He launched himself at Skywarp, knocking wan sideways. Wa gasped, staring up at him.

Starscream's odd clinginess, kas constant submission when Skywarp showed any amount of displeasure, even that moment vorns ago when Starscream had buried kaz into him and purred desperately just as ka had that morning—it all made sense.

'I can take it.'

Starscream never would have said anything. Thundercracker may have never known. Cold horror crept over his fuel lines. How long had this really been happening?

"What are you thinking?" Thundercracker spat. "We're trine. I told you I didn't want you fighting! And now I find out you've been fighting behind my back this whole time!"

Though, had it really been behind his back? Skywarp made no secret of waz dislike for Starscream. Starscream was always ready to fire back. But apparently, only when Thundercracker was there.

Skywarp widened waz wings. "It's not fighting! It's discipline!"

"Discipline," Thundercracker said. He motioned to Starscream, who sank to the floor, gaze averted. "That's not discipline. It's just violence."

Skywarp shook waz helm.

"You don't understand," wa said. "Starscream is a bad Claw. Ka keeps putting us in danger and stepping out of line. You weren't going to enforce order, so someone had to. You've seen how ka was with Megatron. Ka doesn't know what authority means. Ka tried to kill you! And you didn't even punish kan!"

Skywarp thought this was normal. That this was 'enforcing order.' Bitterness coated Thundercracker's mouth. He felt sick.

"You saw what happened to Megatron, Skywarp."

They were both there. So why didn't Skywarp understand that was where this path led?

"Starscream never followed Megatron," Thundercracker said. "Ka was coerced into obeying. We all were. And the moment we realized that…"

"We killed kan," Skywarp said softly.

Thundercracker flicked his wing to stave off the anger inside of him. Wa got these ideas from somewhere, just like Megatron did. He knew Skywarp could be kind. He knew Skywarp could change if wa recognized the harm wa had done.

And, selfishly, he didn't want to lose wan.

"Why am I a good Winglord?" Thundercracker asked.

Skywarp's brow furrowed. "Because you listen to everyone. You… don't want us to be hurt."

Waz wings lowered. Waz optics dimmed as the realization came over wan. But Thundercracker continued to press.

"Do I use violence to be a good Winglord?" He asked. "Do I punish Seekers who challenge me, like Dreadwing?"

"No," Skywarp said. Wa took a step back, then another. "I…"

"Someone once told me that actions and instincts speak louder than words," Thundercracker said. "What are your actions saying right now?"

Wa hung waz helm and lowered waz to the floor, kneeling.

"I've been a bad trinemate! I—I shouldn't have overstepped! I shouldn't have…"

"Shouldn't have hurt Starscream?" Thundercracker said.

"Yes!" Skywarp said. "I—I'm sorry, Winglord!"

Waz wings began to shake, even more fear saturating the air. Thundercracker forced himself to calm. What was the most important thing right now? He glanced at Starscream. Ka was still on the ground, knees drawn to kaz chest.

"We can talk more when I come back," Thundercracker said to Skywarp, making his way toward Starscream.

Ka didn't even look up as he approached. The only thing that hinted at any awareness was a quick flick of Starscream's wing. Thundercracker took kan by the arm and pulled kan up. Ka didn't resist as Thundercracker led kan out.

The door slid shut. Gingerly, Thundercracker lowered both of them to the ground. The moment they reached it, Starscream launched kaz forward, burying kas face in his chest and purring desperately.

"Was Skywarp hurting you the whole time?" Thundercracker asked. Was that why ka had attacked wan?

Starscream didn't answer. Ka continued to purr. Thundercracker reached over and stroked kas wing. Ka closed kas optics.

"Please tell me I didn't miss something like this," Thundercracker mumbled, more to himself than Starscream. He knew the answer already. "I'm sorry."

Starscream kept purring. Thundercracker kept stroking. Aside from Starscream's purrs, the hall was silent.

A weak, hushed voice broke the silence.

"You were right."

Thundercracker straightened up. "About what?"

"The roles," Starscream said. "And everyone using them against me."

Thundercracker didn't have any words. So, he settled for wrapping his arms around Starscream. Ka went limp, kas wings drooping.

"If I'm not a freak Spark pretending to be a Claw, then I'm a violent, stupid Claw that can't do the one thing I'm supposed to do," Starscream said. "A bad Spark, a bad Claw. There's no winning. No matter what I do, acceptance is yanked out of my grasp."

Jetfire and Acid Storm kept their true roles a secret. Thundercracker had only shared his with them. They had the opportunity to hide, however much it hurt. It both erased and shielded them. But Starscream was already known. There was no forcing the flock to forget.

"Then don't try to be accepted," Thundercracker said, determination building in his spark. "Hotlink came from a flock where Claws were the ones who had seekerlings. Even as a Claw, there are other ways to be. You're just a different kind."

Starscream was silent and still. Thundercracker wasn't sure what to make of it.

"There's nothing wrong with you," Thundercracker said. "It's the flock. It's their narrow-mindedness. There are more Seekers in the flock like us, but they're too afraid to reveal themselves."

He half expected Starscream to ask who, but ka didn't.

"I wish I could believe that," ka said.

Thundercracker held kan close. The hall was quiet save for the quiet mechanisms that kept them both alive. But eventually, Starscream tried to squirm away. Thundercracker let kan.

Ka leaned against the wall.

"You should talk to Skywarp," ka said. "Wa is probably shaking in the corner right now."

Thundercracker moved to stand up, but caught himself.

"Are you sure you're alright?" He asked.

Starscream hadn't wanted to be without him until now. But until now, Thundercracker hadn't known what Skywarp was doing. A quick analysis of his memory files confirmed what he wished he noticed before: Starscream's hesitance was worse when ka was going to be left in a room with Skywarp.

"Go talk to Skywarp," ka said sharply.

Thundercracker didn't push it. He opened the door and slipped back into the room. Rather than hiding in the corner, Skywarp knelt exactly where he left wan, wings low and helm pressed to the floor.

"How long have you been like that?" Thundercracker asked.

Skywarp didn't look up. Thundercracker approached. Gently, he tapped wan on the shoulder.

"Get up," he said. "That can't be comfortable."

Wa looked up at him and slowly rose. Thundercracker guided wan into the nest. They both sat. Soundwave was still in the corner. Thundercracker caught nas optics and motioned for nam to join them. After a moment of hesitation, na did.

Thundercracker wrapped his arms around Soundwave. Na returned the embrace.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Thundercracker whispered.

How many times had Soundwave seen it and not said anything? Nas sparklinghood before joining the flock wasn't a good one. Thundercracker had never asked for details. Maybe he should have, if it would've prevented this.

"If you ever see one of us hurt each other again, please tell someone," Thundercracker said. "It's not okay."

Soundwave nodded. Thundercracker nuzzled nam.

"Good," he said.

He released nam. Soundwave settled beside him. Now, for the hard part: keeping his temper while chewing out Skywarp. Wa wilted under his gaze.

"Do you remember what you said when I told you I thought I was a bad Seeker?" Thundercracker asked.

Skywarp stayed quiet, but nodded. It was vorns ago. Thundercracker was surprised wa remembered at all, but the statement always lived in his memory files.

"You said I wasn't bad, just different," Thundercracker said. "Starscream is different, too."

Skywarp's optics widened.

"Scrap," wa said, curling in on waz. "Scrap. I—I didn't…"

Wa didn't what?

"I should've put it together," wa said. "My—my dam said that to me. I knew it was my fault my sires left me, but my dam loved me. So—so she told me: I wasn't bad, just different. And every time I felt scared or—or lonely I would play that memory file. I thought Starscream was just like my sires, but I was the one being just like them."

Thundercracker's anger evaporated. It wasn't his place to forgive Skywarp. Wa hadn't hurt him. But he could understand how it happened. It didn't excuse it, only explained it.

"I don't know what to do," Skywarp said. "How do I fix this?"

Thundercracker didn't know either. But Starscream was out there, waiting for their talk to finish. Thundercracker rose and opened the door. As expected, ka was at the other side. After a brief glance at Thundercracker, ka entered. Thundercracker led ka toward the nest, but ka paused at its edge.

"I'm sorry," Skywarp said.

Starscream entered the nest and sat.

"Don't apologize," ka said. "It's over."

Starscream slept in the nest that night.

!!!

Thundercracker grew more reluctant to leave the room with each passing cycle. The bi-cycle visits to the flock made his plating crawl, every moment spent outside the room a new brand of torture. He knew why. That didn't do anything to help. It felt like it was too soon, but when he looked back on it, nearly a full vorn had passed since his last Hunger.

Prowl's messages fell from once every cycle to once a decacyle and were falling still. They would stop eventually. Thundercracker dreaded when they would. But he trusted his creator. If anyone could convince The Magnus to take action, it would be Prowl. He wished he could've come along, but the moment a Seeker was spotted in Iacon would be his last.

As more Seekers grew comfortable entering the base, more conflicts arose—Autobots attempting to touch wings, or stepping too close to a trine's Spark, or looking them in the eye and accidentally inciting a challenge, or any other number of things. A seminar on treating Seekers with respect did little to curb it. It seemed the Autobots expected the Seekers to bend to their ways rather than the reverse.

Starscream was finally back to kas usual self, fully willing to make biting remarks or flash kas dentae at any Autobots that came to close, and scrap did Autobots come close.

"Back off!" Starscream hissed as yet another Autobot in the halls drifted just a little too close, hand hovering near kas plating.

Thundercracker pulled Starscream closer, fighting not to growl. That was his trinemate. He didn't recognize the Autobot, so they must have been assigned to the base while he was gone. It explained their brazenness.

The Autobot's brow furrowed. "You're supposed to be nice."

"I am being nice," Starscream said. "I am not clawing your face off for your disrespect."

Ka made a show of kas claws. The Autobot was undeterred. They reached out again and Starscream backed away with a hiss, pressing kaz into Thundercracker. Finally letting out a growl, Thundercracker stepped forward.

"Enough!" he said. "Would you do this to another Autobot?"

"Autobots don't have wings," the Autobot said.

Thundercracker grabbed the knob on the side of the Autobot's helm and yanked. The Autobot let out a disturbed cry and tried to pull away. Baring his dentae, Thundercracker tightened his grip.

"How does this feel?" He said.

"Let me go!" The Autobot said.

Thundercracker shook them. "How does it feel?"

"Bad!" The Autobot said. "Let me go!"

Thundercracker released the Autobot. They scrambled away.

"Think of that next time you touch someone without their permission!" Thundercracker yelled as the Autobot sprinted down the hall.

Thundercracker stayed rooted in place until the Autobot was gone. He turned back toward Starscream and the others with a sigh.

"Don't say it," he told Soundwave.

"They're all like that," Soundwave said.

Thundercracker sighed again. After the Autobots realized the Seekers weren't going to hurt them, it seemed all caution went out the window. Why was it so difficult to respect them?

They entered the mess hall. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker didn't acknowledge him, and looked away when he tried to get their attention. It stung, but he had already resigned himself to never sitting with them again. Any attempts to speak with them were also brushed off. On the other side of the room—surrounded by empty tables as always—were Sunstorm and nas trine. Thundercracker took a seat next to them.

Bitstream and Hotlink smiled at him, raising their wings in greeting. Hotlink handed him a scute of plating from the cyberdeer they brought in. He bit into it, savoring the taste. Cyberdeer were quick and skittish—it was difficult to catch one unless hunting as a trine.

The air surrounding Bitstream was warm with joy. Ka rubbed kas chest, which reminded Thundercracker…

Softly, he elbowed Starscream. Ka sat up straighter. Beside kan, Skywarp did the same.

[{ID:THCR} I'm going into Hunger soon. We're not safe, but we're the closest we've been in a long time, and Megatron is dead. I've been thinking…]

[{ID:SKWP} about what?]

Thundercracker braced himself.

[{ID:THCR} Having seekerlings, if you two are okay with it.]

Starscream's wings flicked. Anxiety wafted through the air, traveling from Skywarp.

[{ID:STSC} I told you I'd raise any seekerlings you carried. I meant it.]

[{ID:SKWP} we can try…]

Thundercracker's spark lightened. They were willing.

[{ID:THCR} I want both of you to sire.]

Starscream stiffened.

[{ID:STSC} No.]

[{ID:THCR} Why not?]

Starscream placed the jar of powder in kas hand on the table in a pointed gesture.

[{ID:STSC} They could end up like me.]

Thundercracker laid a hand on the jar.

[{ID:THCR} What if I want that? 'Like you' isn't a bad thing to be.]

Starscream turned away.

[{ID:STSC} You don't understand.]

[{ID:THCR} I understand that you've been told you were born wrong. That you're unloveable. But I love you, and I want to do this with you. I don't mind having a seekerling with your condition.]

Starscream's wings drooped. Ka snatched the jar off of the table.

[{ID:STSC} I suppose Bitstream's seekerlings will need peers…]

Thundercracker's spark lightened. He smiled.

[{ID:THCR} Thank you. Both of you. You'll be amazing sires. I know it.]

Thundercracker's good mood lasted throughout the meal. Bitstream was positively beaming, excited to be carrying even if it was because Sunstorm couldn't. Sunstorm had warmed up to the idea, keeping Bitstream close and making remarks about how na would help raise the seekerlings.

But eventually, the meal was eaten. Sunstorm and nas trinemates had to return to the flock. Today was supposed to be a free day, but Thundercracker was certain his time would be occupied one way or another. As he and his trinemates made their way back toward their room, he was proven correct.

Arcee stood at the doorway, her arms crossed. As Thundercracker approached, she frowned.

"What is it?" Thundercracker asked.

Had another fight broken out?

"Mind explaining to me why you're assaulting my Autobots?" She said.

Well, first of all, they weren't hers. They were Prowl's. He just left her in charge.

Thundercracker scoffed. "Me? Assaulting them? They were harassing Starscream!"

"You grabbed Freeway by the audial," Arcee said.

That was their audial?

"Freeway was trying to touch Starscream's wings," Thundercracker said, a growl beginning in his engine. "You don't touch a Seeker's wings."

It was one of the most repeated things in the seminar. Yet, it seemed not a single Autobot remembered. Had they actually listened, or did they just pretend to pay attention?

Arcee sighed. "I'll reprimand him later. But you can't go around scaring the recruits. Everyone is wary enough as is."

Seriously? Scrap it. He didn't care about being polite anymore. That Autobot tried to touch his trinemate.

"Didn't seem that wary to me," Thundercracker growled. "Keep your soldiers in line. I'm getting tired of breaking up fights they provoked."

Arcee balked. "That they provoked? My soldiers don't fly off the handle if someone touches them!"

Thundercracker growled. Starscream stepped between them, a snarl on kas face.

"Wings are sacred!" Starscream spat. "Only for family and lovers to touch! You are harassing us! Attempting to touch us even when told not to! Why would we not defend ourselves?"

Arcee stared, her brow furrowed and lips pulled downward. How could Thundercracker make her understand?

"It's like if someone touched your wheels," He said.

Arcee's face shifted into one of disgust before she collected herself.

"I… I see," she said quietly. "I'll have a talk with them."

After an awkward goodbye, she headed down the hall. Thundercracker sighed as he opened the door to the room. The group went inside, settling into their usual positions. There was plenty to do, but for now, they could relax.

Starscream was looking at the datapad again. A different diagram this time, but the same focused face. If not for Sunstorm, would ka have learned medicine? Was that what ka was trying to do now?

Thundercracker needed to find a way to help ka feel useful. Some of kas confidence had returned after the confrontation with Skywarp, but feelings like that didn't just go away. If Sunstorm refused to train kan, then maybe Ratchet would be willing. He didn't have any reservations when it came to working with Sunstorm, and had no concept of trine roles.

But as Thundercracker kept running over the idea in his mind, he hesitated. What if this wasn't what Starscream actually wanted?

"Starscream," Thundercracker said quietly. Kas wings flicked in silent acknowledgement. "If you were given the opportunity to learn medicine, would you take it?"

Starscream looked up from the datapad.

"Yes," ka said. "But that's never going to happen. Sunstorm would have my helm."

Never… well, Thundercracker was going to change that. He stood up. Starscream moved to stand up with him, with Skywarp close behind. He motioned for them to stay.

"I'll be right back," He said. "Private meeting."

His trinemates eyed him warily, but stayed where they were. He shook himself out to relieve tension and opened the door. The trek down the hall was simultaneously too short and too long. He didn't know if Sunstorm would be there, so he would have to hope na wouldn't be.

A flash of yellow through the entrance almost made Thundercracker reconsider, but as he looked closer, he realized it was just an Autobot—the yellow one with shoulder doors whose name he never quite caught. It was something about cybees. Bee, maybe?

Bee waved to him. First Aid looked up from the leg joint she was examining. Her optics searched his frame before she returned to her work.

"He's in the back," she said. "Inventory."

Thundercracker thanked her before heading in exactly that direction. As she said, Ratchet was in the back, a datapad in hand as he counted supplies. Thundercracker waited until he finished counting the supply he was on before speaking, but Ratchet beat him to it.

"What do you want?" He said. "You're not here for a checkup or you'd be out front."

"Yeah," Thundercracker said. His wings twitched, a small rush of anxiety rising in him. "Would you… consider taking on an apprentice?"

Ratchet raised his brow. "I already have First Aid, don't I?"

Thundercracker slumped. "Well, yeah, but…"

He paused. Something in him wanted to search the room even though he knew Sunstorm wasn't there.

"Starscream wants to learn medicine but the flock will never let him," he said. "I was thinking that maybe… you could teach him?"

Ratchet hummed. "Why wouldn't they teach… him?"

The hesitation to refer to Starscream as large was noticeable, Thundercracker was just grateful Ratchet was making an attempt.

"Seekers have different roles," Thundercracker said. "Starscream used to be a role that let him learn medicine, but he transitioned away from it. Sunstorm refuses to teach him because of it."

Ratchet didn't need to know anything beyond that. It was just enough to get the point across without revealing things Starscream may not be comfortable with.

"Well," Ratchet said. "I'm sure I can spare some time."

Thundercracker's spark lightened. "Thank you!"

He rushed back toward the room, pondering how he would tell Starscream the news.

Starscream didn't believe him at first, but after Thundercracker marched kan to the medbay, ka couldn't deny it. Since starting kas apprenticeship, ka had become less sullen. Thundercracker sometimes caught kas wings wiggling, a smile on kas face and joy floating on the air. For once, Starscream seemed legitimately happy, and Thundercracker was proud to be part of the cause.

Skywarp was out hunting with Soundwave. Thundercracker had opted to stay in the makeshift nest they'd built in one of the few auxiliary burrows. They were reserved for exactly this purpose, after all. Starscream would be back from kas training, and Skywarp would be back from waz hunt, but the moments alone were still torture. His plating itched and his spark stung, protesting the absence of his trinemates. Soundwave was staying with Blast and Windshear, as usual. Thundercracker had offered for na to stay with one of the Autobots, but he received a (very expected) refusal.

It stung a little. Thundercracker was of two worlds and somehow fit into neither, while Soundwave had managed to transition from one to the other gracefully. A part of Thundercracker resented Soundwave's ability to leave Autobot life behind so completely, but he knew it was irrational. Na was a sparkling, and nas early life was completely different from his.

Thundercracker rolled over in the nest. Scrap, his spark hurt. When were they getting back? Even if it weren't for his Hunger symptoms, the anticipation was torture enough.

Eventually, pedesteps reached his audials. A weight settled beside him. He purred as claws began stroking his wings. Starscream purred back. A surprise that ka was the first one to return, but Thundercracker didn't care as long as ka was here. Skywarp followed soon after, immediately plunking waz into the nest and wrapping waz arms around him.

They cuddled and caressed, soaking in each others' presence. The trine signal they emitted soothed Thundercracker's spark. He rolled over, offering his arms. Gently, they each took one. Thundercracker's wings shuddered in anticipation as they connected. As the data streamed through, he let out a content trill.

[Spark data request sent.]

Thundercracker nuzzled the trinemate closest to his face, which happened to be Skywarp. Wa nuzzled him back. Thundercracker perused the data stream, checking for available options. The response was quick: full access from both connections. He almost gasped. Had Skywarp and Starscream really completely lowered their firewalls?

He tested the connection, pulling at threads until he reached something. Files were before him—an endless stream he could barely sort. Brief previews gave him half an answer. These were memories. But whose were they?

Flashes of pain. Fear. Being shunned and hissed at. Being held and protected. Howls and screams and blasterfire. Silence and searing loneliness. Beside him, Skywarp stilled. A gentle presence steered him away. He obeyed and wandered to the other side.

More memories. Pain—there was pain in all of them. Sneers, jeers. Crushing grips and powerful blows. Starscream's purrs ceased. A presence settled beside him, watchful and quiet. He took that as permission and dove into one of the memories.

A red Seeker smiling down at him. He hid himself at their side as a massive Seeker approached, kas pedesteps shaking the ground. Behind kan were two others. The shapes were vague and fuzzy, but Thundercracker could guess who they were. He sank further into the red Seeker and growled. The red Seeker patted his helm. Foreign anger bubbled up in his core, indignant. He chirped and received another condescending pat for his efforts.

The imposing Seeker—Megatron—laughed at him. He hissed. Ka rolled kas optics and turned away from him, speaking with the red Seeker. The words were fuzzy and muffled. Whatever they originally were, Starscream didn't remember anymore.

A force sent him sprawling backward. Ahead of him, the red Seeker growled and hissed. Nas trinemates wrestled with Megatron's. With the loud clang of metal, the red Seeker deflected Megatron's blows. Na parried with ease, driving Megatron backward. The fight was blurry and skipped frequently, changing every time Thundercracker shuttered his optics. Still, in every moment, the red Seeker was winning.

But it wasn't to last. An ominous hum shook the ground. Megatron's cannon glowed. Everything went white. Cold dread washed over Thundercracker—his own or the memory's, he couldn't tell. The ground was scorched. Flame consumed it.

Thundercracker backed away, plating flaring. Ahead, the red Seeker laid. Na was barely recognizable—plating warped and a large hole in nas center, exposing charred internals. Nas optics were dark. Energeon stained the ground, pieces of nas trinemates scattered about.

A mournful howl rose from Thundercracker. He flung himself toward the monster responsible for the carnage. Effortlessly, he was caught, a single hand wrapping around his chest. It squeezed, metal denting beneath it.

Thundercracker fled from the memory. The watchful presence stayed where it was, a mixture of irritation and amusement reaching him, as if to say, 'What did you expect?'

Thundercracker purred weakly to soothe himself. Hands ran down his frame, grounding him. Arms wrapped around him. He nuzzled them. A helm nuzzled him back. Another presence, warm and soft, approached him.

'I'm here, I'm here…'

He trilled. It trilled back. Thundercracker followed it, then continued down the thread even as it stopped. This time, it didn't attempt to guide him away. He plunged into a memory. Like the other, it was fuzzy and skipped in places.

He woke to shouting. Energeon droplets hit the floor before him. It leaked from the Seekers ahead of him, who towered over him. But as he pushed himself onto his knees, he realized why: he was the size of a juvenile seekerling. A Seeker stood before two others, claws dripping with energeon.

"Fine!" The Seeker with bloodied claws spat, dark purple wings rattling. "Leave! See if I care!"

The closest Seeker—who bore a scratch on their cheek—stepped backward and hissed. "Then we will!"

They made their way out of the burrow, not sparing a glance toward the purple-winged Seeker or Thundercracker. Thundercracker's plating shook, foreign fear coursing through him. Ahead of him, the purple-winged Seeker bristled, baring nas dentae. Then, na collapsed to nas knees with a wail.

Thundercracker, despite the fear, crept forward. The moment he came close, the purple-winged Seeker scooped him up, holding him close to nas chest. He buried his helm in nas plating.

"I'm so sorry you had to see that," the purple-winged Seeker said.

Thundercracker somehow knew this was his fault. He let out a quiet, distressed chirp. The purple-winged Seeker nuzzled him.

"They just don't see what a gift you are," the purple-winged Seeker said. Nas claws stroked Thundercracker's cheek, smearing energeon across it.

Thundercracker backed out of the memory. The presence that guarded it was mournful. He reached out, soothing it. It reached back. Everything rippled as a memory surfaced.

Prowl entered the hall. It must've been many vorns ago, since Thundercracker was looking up rather than down. Thundercracker rushed toward him, but Prowl pushed him away.

"Not now, Thundercracker," Prowl said sternly.

But he'd been gone for a full decacycle! Thundercracker tried to hug him again, and was pushed away again.

"Not now!" Prowl snapped.

At the time, Thundercracker didn't know what he'd done wrong. But now, he understood things his seekerling self couldn't. Prowl's plating was stained blue. He was covered in energeon—his own or that of his enemies, Thundercracker couldn't guess. A hand landed on Thundercracker's shoulder.

"Come on," Bulkhead said gently, steering him away. "He can talk to you when he gets back from the medbay."

Thundercracker allowed Bulkhead to guide him away. The memory fuzzed out. It cut back in to Thundercracker's arms wrapped around Prowl's waist. Awkwardly, Prowl pried him off.

"You're okay!" Thundercracker said.

"Yes," Prowl said. "I am."

Thundercracker's wings wiggled. He purred. Prowl looked away and strode toward the shelves. He plucked one of the datapads off them without looking, not even bothering to confirm the one he grabbed was exactly the one he needed. He probably had them all memorized. There were all sorts of markers on the shelves.

"Do you know what I was doing while I was gone?" Prowl asked.

Thundercracker grinned. That one was easy!

"Fighting!" Thundercracker said.

Prowl sat on the berth. Thundercracker leaped onto it, leaning against him.

"Yes," Prowl said. "Do you know why I have to fight?"

Thundercracker scrunched his olfactory ridge. No one had ever told him.

"Because The Magnus tells you to?" He said.

The Magnus was big. The Magnus told everyone everything they ever had to do.

Prowl hummed. "Well, yes. The Magnus did tell us to fight. But The Magnus told us to fight for a reason."

He turned on the datapad. It was all long, complicated words in small print. Thundercracker tried to read it but got lost after a couple of sentences.

"Every war has an enemy," Prowl said. "This one's is the Seekers."

Thundercracker's wings twitched. Seekers… he heard that word before. No one explained what they were, but he knew they weren't anything good from the way others used it.

"What's a Seeker?" Thundercracker asked.

Prowl paused. His brow furrowed. He pressed the datapad. It displayed an image. Thundercracker leaned over to see it better, but it was already gone. Prowl sighed.

"Seekers are monsters," Prowl said. "With sharp claws and dentae. The smallest of them are as large as Bulkhead. They kill indiscriminately, and feast on their own dead. They've nearly driven several species of mechanimals into extinction with their wanton killing. If we don't take them down, they'll kill everything."

Everything? Determination swelled in Thundercracker's spark.

"I won't let that happen!" He said. "I'll take them all down!"

Prowl shut the datapad off and looked at him. His lips pulled into a frown, his optics searching in a way Thundercracker only understood now. Then, he smiled.

"I'm sure you will," he said.

The memory faded. Bitterness grew inside Thundercracker. Between everything, he had nearly forgotten that no one ever told him what he was. In that moment, did Prowl ever think that he was describing his own adopted creation? Or was there some special category in his mind that separated Thundercracker from other Seekers?

A growl rumbled in his audials.

'How dare they?' came a hiss over the connection.

'Why would they lie like that?' another cried.

"It's okay," Thundercracker assured them. "I know who I am now."

{Spark data received!}

!!!

Emerging from the private burrow was its own affair. The flock knew not to bother Seekers while they were inside, but the moment they exited, all restrictions were lifted. Optics watched them cross the shared burrow. All conversation went silent. Above ground was the same tale—silence and wide, watching optics.

The moment Thundercracker settled down, a purr stull rumbling in his chest and his trinemates still clinging to him, the ground thudded as a Seeker landed before them, flanked by two others. Thrust smiled down at them. Thundercracker raised his wings in greeting. Thrust took the silent invitation, motioning for nas trinemates to come forward. They placed a ferrowolf on the ground before them, then sat beside Thrust.

Thundercracker rubbed his chestplates, the heavy, buzzing feeling telling him what he already suspected: the spark data was being mixed with his own and his spark was preparing to split. He leaned forward, prying a scute off of the ferrowolf. The rest of the Seekers surrounding him followed. Even while eating, he continued to purr, content in a way he couldn't describe.

"You seem excited," Thrust said quietly, a knowing smile on nas face.

"So does the rest of the flock," Thundercracker said. Their gazes still hadn't left him.

"It's not every cycle the Winglord tries for a litter," Thrust said. "Megatron certainly never did. Kas trine only had the one, and that was before ka came here. It's a sign things are getting better."

Thundercracker hummed. Did the Winglord having seekerlings really matter that much? Sunstorm and Thrust had been trying since before Megatron was dethroned. He chewed the piece of ferrowolf in his mouth before responding.

"Better?" He said.

Thrust flicked nas wing.

"Well, yeah," na said. "If you feel comfortable having a litter, then maybe we all can too. Actually…" Na paused, glancing at the other Seekers. Then, na learned forward and whispered conspiratorially, "I think I kindled. I'm not far along enough for us to know yet, but I've had to take breaks during our hunts. We're going to ask Sunstorm to check soon."

Thrust had been trying for so long, and now na finally had another chance. Warmth flooded Thundercracker's spark.

"Congratulations!" He said.

Somehow, he hadn't noticed Thrust go into Hunger. Between everything he had to do, it must have slipped by. But now there would be even more seekerlings. If the flock felt safe enough to have litters, maybe things really were starting to get better.

!!!

Thundercracker was always hungry. He expected it, considering the first time he kindled, but this gave the first time a run for its shanix. He chewed on a piece of petrorabbit Skywarp happened to have stashed away despite the fact that he had taken his morning energeon ration a breem ago. Wa nuzzled him. He nuzzled wan back.

Wa and Starscream seemed to always have some sort of snack on them. He made sure to thank them every time they offered, and the joy they exuded warmed his spark. Skywarp would do as wa did just now—nuzzling him and smiling. Starscream would crack a smug grin and purr to kaz. With his trinemates by his side, Thundercracker finished his snack and walked down the hall, heading for Arcee's office.

Prowl's calls ceased three orns ago. He and Optimus must have entered Iacon for communication to go dead. The whole city was under an impenetrable firewall, which blocked all external communication save for what was authorized by The Magnus. Supposedly, enemies could intercept unauthorized communications, so it was safest to not allow them at all.

Knowing the Seekers now, Thundercracker had to wonder what enemies this doctrine referred to. They certainly couldn't intercept communications like that. Bitstream and Hotlink could barely get their claws on Autobot weapons. How would they get them on communications? But Prowl and Optimus did suspect sabotage, so the enemies that measure was intended to thwart must be ones from within. But what would they want?

Until Thundercracker brought the Seekers to the base, Seekers didn't communicate with Autobots. Perhaps another flock had tried at one point? Thundercracker searched his memory files for Prowl's history lessons and came up with nothing. But before he could ponder any further, he came nose to wall with the door. He paused in front of it, pressing the buzzer on the access panel. After a few moments, the door slid open.

He stepped through. Before his trinemates could follow, the door shut. His wings twitched, unease settling in his spark at being separated from them. But he forced it away and turned toward Arcee.

The air hummed with anxiety. Her plating was held close. Despite the obvious signals, her posture was forcibly relaxed. She motioned for Thundercracker to sit. He obeyed.

Silence stretched over them. Thundercracker tapped his claws on his knee.

"We didn't receive our stipend for the past two orns," Arcee said. "My messages haven't gotten through."

Each base received an ornly stipend to pay for supplies and anything else they might need. As far as Thundercracker knew, there was never an orn where it wasn't sent. So for it to suddenly not be sent now, well… Thundercracker didn't know what that meant.

"How long do you have left?" Thundercracker asked.

"Four orns," Arcee said. "But at this rate, potentially less. We have a lot more personnel than when we began saving it, and there wasn't much left to save in the first place."

Thundercracker felt a pang of guilt. He was one of the mecha consuming the most fuel right now, with the newsparks demanding so much energy. He hadn't even told any of the Autobots yet.

"That's… not good," Thundercracker said.

Arcee nodded. "It's not. That's why we need the Seekers' help."

Thundercracker's wings shot up. Their help? How?

"You've kept Soundwave fueled somehow," Arcee said. "Whatever you were doing, we need that now."

Oh.

"Autobots don't hunt," Thundercracker muttered to himself.

"What?" Arcee said, leaning forward.

"You're going to need to hunt with us if you want fuel," Thundercracker said. "That's how Soundwave has been refueling. He drinks the line energeon of the prey we catch."

Arcee's olfactory ridge scrunched. She recoiled slightly, then sighed.

"We'll do what we have to," she said.

!!!

Thus began the difficult process of training the Autobots to hunt. Some of the Seekers proved reluctant—Dreadwing scoffed at the idea—while others were much too eager. Bitstream and Hotlink bounced ahead of the gathered Autobots, wide grins on their faces, even as Sunstorm glared at them from beneath the shade of a nearby tree.

"Alright, pathetic little weaklings!" Bitstream said cheerfully in Common, kas accent on full display.

The Autobots exchanged reluctant glances. Thundercracker cringed. More of them came than he expected, but less would remain if they kept this up.

"You can't call them that," Thundercracker said.

Bitstream switched to Vosian. "Why not? They can't hunt. They're like seekerlings, but fully grown. Pathetic. You'd think with all of the weapons they've made and the things they've done to us, they would know."

"Well, they don't," Thundercracker said. "Until now, their food came from somewhere else."

He didn't have time to explain the concept of currency or shipping. Honestly, he wasn't quite sure where energeon came from. He never asked.

Bitstream hummed, kas wings twitching. Ka turned back toward the Autobots.

"Okay, then!" Ka said. "Grounders, it's time to learn how to hunt!"

The first attempt went terribly. Bumblebee scared off the petrorabbit they were stalking by walking too loudly, which resulted in an entire decacycle of lessons on stalking. Then, a young recruit named Bluestreak panicked when the cyberdeer they were chasing came toward her and missed the shot, hitting another recruit, Cliffjumper, in the shoulder. This resulted in the banning of guns during the sessions (something which all of the Seekers proclaimed they wanted from the start, and all of the Autobots complained about). For a while, things weren't too eventful—they failed many of their attempts, but a few succeeded. Still, the success rate was too low to replace the rations they were soon to lose. Time was already running out. Arcee called him into her office the other cycle, pacing anxiously, as she explained that her hails still hadn't been answered.

The Seekers already were hunting for three litters. As Bitstream said, they all saw the Autobots as pathetic at best and enemies at worst. None would agree to hunt for the Autobots. It was difficult enough to find a handful that were willing to hunt with them.

As the latest attempt returned with little to show, Thundercracker rose from his place with a sigh. He caught himself as his vision fuzzed, stumbling slightly. Starscream and Skywarp were at his side immediately, supporting him. It hadn't been very long and the litter was already taking plenty of energy from his spark. Even just flying between the base and the camp left him wanting to lay down. Sunstorm had confirmed at least three newsparks—a lucky number, na said. Thundercracker didn't feel very lucky now.

Acid Storm approached him with an irritable flick of kas wing.

"These dirtkissers are slow," ka hissed in Vosian. "The prey leaps right into their path and they don't react before it's gone."

"Then we'll work on it," Thundercracker said.

Hotlink came toward Thundercracker's other side. Bitstream only had one seekerling in nas litter—if a single seekerling could be called a litter—but ka had already been forced to step back from hunting practice. Seekers were never grounded while gravid due to the size of the seekerling because seekerlings always fit in the cockpit, but the draw on one's spark in the early orns was immense. It wouldn't decrease until the spark chamber was fully formed and the seekerling's systems began producing energy of their own.

With a trill of amusement and a shake of waz wings, Hotlink said, "So we get to do even more training sessions? I can't wait to drill these losers."

Acid Storm's olfactory ridge crinkled. "Go ahead. I certainly don't want to. They never learn anything."

Aside from Hotlink and Bitstream—who seemed to have endless interest in the Autobots—most of the Seekers were in Acid Storm's camp. A few cycles ago, kas trinemate Ion Storm had quit the project entirely after a particularly tedious training session. Thundercracker lowered his wings.

"I know it's difficult," He said. "But they'll starve if we don't help them. And if they starve—"

"Other Autobots will come here, and they won't be as friendly," Acid Storm said. "We know. That doesn't make this any less frustrating."

Thundercracker closed his optics and dipped his helm. When he opened them again, Acid Storm was frowning. Kas brow furrowed.

"You should sit down," ka said. "You seem tired."

Thundercracker waved ka off. "I'm fine."

He had to get back to the base, anyway. Arcee wanted a report and he needed to discuss the issues they were having.

Acid Storm continued to scrutinize him. Then, ka hummed and turned away.

"If you insist," ka said.

Thundercracker walked past the rest of the group. They would eventually disperse and find their own way back, so he didn't feel the need to instruct them. Hotlink and Acid Storm would already have it handled. With Starscream and Skywarp following him, he braced himself before taking off. Soundwave remained behind, finally having voiced that na no longer wanted to spend any time in the Autobot base.

Mid-flight, Thundercracker's spark spasmed, drawing energy from his frame and making his helm spin. At the first sign of a clearing, he landed early. He sank to his knees, clutching his chestplates. Three seekerlings meant thrice the energy, and his spark was almost sore from it. His plating snapped close, stifling his ventilation even as his temperature rose. He closed his optics, shaking his helm despite knowing it would do nothing for the dizziness.

A hand brushed against his wing as a weight settled at his side. He leaned into it, purring to himself.

"You okay?" Skywarp asked quietly.

"I will be," Thundercracker said. "Just give me a klik."

It was more than a klik, but neither Skywarp nor Starscream commented. They walked the rest of the way. As much as Thundercracker craved to curl up in the nest, he forced himself not to turn down the hall to their room.

Arcee was waiting for him. This time, his trinemates were allowed in the room. There was no more pretending the impending shortage could go away.

"Have they picked up?" Thundercracker asked.

Arcee shook her helm. "No. I've had trouble even reaching The Intermediary."

The Intermediary routed requests into Iacon as necessary. It was normal to reach The Intermediary and then have a request be rejected. But for the call to not reach the intermediary at all? Something else was going on.

"Do you know why?" Thundercracker asked.

"No," Arcee said. "We're hitting a timeout. All we know is that it's not reaching The Intermediary. But we can communicate with other bases just fine."

Thundercracker didn't know much about these things. If Prowl were here, he would know more, but that was part of the issue: he wasn't. His side was still silent, and the few times Thundercracker attempted to reach him were unsuccessful.

"Bounce it," Starscream said, leaning against the wall. "If you can send a call to another base, can they not send your call to there? It is what flocks did with messengers before so many were destroyed. One flock sends a messenger, the other sends theirs when the messenger arrives. You send your call to the other base. They send it to where you want."

Arcee frowned. "That's against Communications Code."

Starscream snorted, flicking kas wing.

"Is this not against code?" Ka said. "Your soldiers will starve. Why should some code matter when your life is threatened?"

Arcee looked away, staring at some point on the desk. Anger and apprehension flooded the air. She scowled.

"If we still can't reach them in a decacyle," she said carefully. "I will consider it."

Starscream scoffed. "Your soldiers can barely hunt. You will run out of fuel. 'Consider' faster."

Before anyone else could interrupt, Starscream turned away. Ka walked into the hall. Thundercracker shot Arcee once last glance before following. Starscream was right, but did ka really have to say it like that?

Improvements to hunting were marginal, but they only had a few cycles. Arcee quietly decreased the rations, which led to a lot of grumbling. Some of the Autobots attempted to blame the Seekers, but were quickly put in their place when they were reminded exactly what the Seekers were actually consuming. Thundercracker's rations had changed in flavor, and though he tried to drink less of them and rely more on prey, he couldn't help wondering where they were coming from. If his energeon was enriched, but others' wasn't, then how were they getting the minerals to enrich it?

The Autobot hunting group had already left for the morning. As pedesteps reached Thundercracker's audials, he cracked open his optics. His chest had that odd, buzzing feeling, but it wasn't quite a spasm. Despite the tiredness weighing his frame down, he forced himself to sit up, leaning against the tree. It bent slightly under his weight, which almost made him reconsider, but he was so tired.

Were they really back so soon? A check of his chronometer told him otherwise—it had been breems. Had he fallen asleep again? He told Skywarp to wake him up. Why hadn't wa woken him up? Oh well.

Cyan-green plating caught his optics. Soundwave lagged at the back of the group, nas shoulders hunched. Of all the ground-dwelling mecha, Soundwave was the most experienced with hunting. So why was na so tense?

Thundercracker sat up further as Acid Storm and Hotlink approached and gave their usual report. The Autobots had improved somewhat. It was easy to see the results. Carried in their arms was a cyberdeer. Though, it took six mecha to take down what a single trine could. Not exactly promising, but there were a lot of Autobots, so maybe it could still work.

As they walked off, Thundercracker sighed. Any cycle now, the Autobots would run out of energeon despite Arcee's attempts to conserve it. She hadn't told her soldiers anything. By the time she did, it would be too late.

Skywarp was already at Soundwave's side. Wa gave nam a hug and led na back to where Thundercracker was laying. He reached out, giving nam a hug of his own. Nas plating was still tense. Sorrow hung on the air, muted but obvious.

"What's wrong?" He whispered.

Soundwave shook nas helm and sat beside him, leaning into him. A screech split the air as two blurs descended from the sky. Blast smiled down at Windshear and led vam toward the edge of the clearing. Soundwave's gaze followed them, the sorrow growing more biting.

"I want to fly," Soundwave said quietly.

Thundercracker should've expected it. Soundwave was a Seeker, despite being born an Autobot. Flight was important to Seekers, and it was the one thing Soundwave couldn't do. Thundercracker looked toward Skywarp. Waz wings were set low, a frown pulling on waz lips.

Autobots couldn't fly. Not like Seekers. They didn't have wings or thrusters. Their engines were different. They simply weren't built for it. An Autobot couldn't take to the sky any more than Thundercracker could roll across the ground.

Then, Thundercracker remembered. It wouldn't be the same. Nothing would ever be the same as flying with one's own wings and thrusters. But Sideswipe and Sunstreaker had learned to use jetpacks so they could catch Seekers in the sky. Maybe Soundwave could also learn.

Thundercracker pulled Soundwave close and purred.

"We'll see what we can do," he said.

!!!

They weren't in the mess hall. Thundercracker knocked on their door but received no answer. He didn't even catch a glimpse of red or yellow plating in the halls. At least, not the red or yellow he was looking for. It was as if Sunstreaker and Sideswipe had vanished.

Thundercracker held out some hope. He leaned against the wall of the main room, chewing on yet another snack Skywarp and Starscream had offered him. A flash of yellow—no, that was Bumblebee. A flash of red—no, Cliffjumper. Somehow, Thundercracker hadn't spoken to them at all since he returned. The only time he saw them was in the mess hall. Back then, he had turned away from them. Had they taken that as a sign that he didn't want to speak with them anymore? Or did they decide he was an enemy after they watched him eat with Sunstorm's trine?

Thundercracker's chronometer pinged him. He abandoned his search. Finding them would have to wait until after his appointment. After learning that he kindled, Ratchet insisted on giving him a checkup. He had tried to get out of it by urging Sunstorm to tell Ratchet it was fine, but na was in agreement: a checkup would be useful. The flock would be so discouraged if their Winglord lost nas litter, after all!

That was ignoring that Sunstorm had already given him multiple checkups. Perhaps na just wanted him to suffer. Ratchet was a great doctor, but he was immensely thorough, which meant this appointment would take up time that would be better spent. Thundercracker already knew his litter was healthy. That probably wouldn't have changed in just a decacyle.

Still, he entered the medbay. Starscream hovered over Ratchet, watching as he placed a patch on an Autobot's shoulder. He explained his actions quietly and slowly. Optics wide and wings twitching, Starscream took in every word. Sunstorm organized supplies in the corner, nas plating tense. Thundercracker leaned on the side of the doorway, waiting until they finished.

As the Autobot got up, they finally turned toward him. Starscream's mouth parted, kas wings fluttering slightly. Surprise drifted on the air. Ratchet smiled.

"Here for your appointment?" He said.

Thundercracker nodded. He sat on the berth Ratchet motioned toward. Starscream backed away, but Ratchet reached out, catching kan.

"You're here to learn, aren't you?" He said.

Starscream nodded.

"Then stay and learn," Ratchet said.

Ratchet started with a basic checkup, then moved into a spark scan. Starscream was quiet the whole time, even when Ratchet ribbed kan. It was in characteristic, but the tension and excitement in the air explained it all. Ka tended to go quiet when anxious or excited, and right now, ka was both.

"They seem healthy to me," Ratchet said, noting something down on the computer nearby. "Have you been fueling well?"

"Constantly," Thundercracker said.

Ratchet smiled. He reached into one of the cabinets and pulled out a cube, then placed it in Thundercracker's lap. Hunger, which had slowly become background noise, rose to the front of Thundercracker's mind. He took a sip.

"Thanks," he said.

"Don't let yourself go without fuel," Ratchet said. "The newsparks can't make their own energy yet. They need it straight from your spark or they'll fade."

"I know," Thundercracker said.

But it was difficult to let himself fuel so much when he knew they would soon be running out. His wings drooped. Starscream's optics followed the motion, a frown crossing kas face.

Did Ratchet even know? As far as Thundercracker was aware, Arcee hadn't told anyone. She claimed she didn't want to cause a panic.

"I, um…" Thundercracker hesitated. He knew Ratchet could keep a secret. But he hadn't consulted Arcee. "We're running out of energeon. You are, I mean. So I've been trying to conserve it by fueling less. Seekers can hunt, Autobots can't."

Ratchet frowned. "Is that so?"

Thundercracker stared down at the energeon cube on his lap. It was enriched, just like all of the others. Ratchet had prepared it specifically for him.

"Come here," Ratchet said, motioning for Thundercracker to follow as he turned away.

Thundercracker rose, following Ratchet to one of the doors at the side of the medbay. But rather than it leading to a storage room as he expected, the bright midday sun greeted him. Ratchet continued forward into the surrounding forest, navigating it with swiftness that could only come from familiarity. He stopped suddenly before a fallen log. Thundercracker nearly ran into his back. Behind him, Starscream's claws brushed against his wings.

Ratchet stepped over the log and crouched. Thundercracker did the same. A small, metal apparatus sat on the other side of the log. Inside it was a petrorabbit, which squeaked in surprise as its optics caught his.

Ratchet moved a lever on the trap. With a mighty clang and a fearful screech, the petrorabbit was no more. Another button released the petrorabbit's frame. Corpse in hand, Ratchet reset the trap.

"Oh," Thundercracker said. "You've…"

"Been trapping mechanimals to feed you, yes," Ratchet said. "We realized you weren't getting the nutrients you needed from pure energeon quickly. Prowl was distraught, so I found a solution."

A wave of Thundercracker didn't know what flowed through him. Relief? Shock? Whatever it was, he knew this was an opportunity. The Seekers wouldn't hunt for the Autobots. The Autobots wouldn't learn to hunt for themselves in time. But Ratchet had been trapping mechanimals for vorns.

"Have you ever tried it?" Thundercracker asked.

Ratchet glanced between Thundercracker and the petrorabbit. His brow furrowed.

"One or twice," he said. "Just the line energeon. The rest always went to you. It's not bad."

Ratchet hoisted the petrorabbit onto his shoulder. It was much larger on him than on a Seeker, carried with a bit more effort. But Ratchet was a strong mech.

"Would you… consider teaching the other Autobots?" Thundercracker said. "The ornly stipend hasn't been arriving and Arcee can't get through to anyone who can fix it. Rations were cut because we would've run out otherwise. We're trying to teach a small team how to hunt, but it's not working out how we hoped."

Ratchet shrugged.

"If it's necessary," he said. "But I doubt they'll like it."

Thundercracker couldn't disagree.

!!!

He finally managed to catch Sunstreaker and Sideswipe in the hall. They didn't wave, nor did they say hello. But Thundercracker recognized them regardless. His spark sank as they kept walking. He raised his voice.

"Hey!" He said. "I need to talk to you!"

They stopped.

"What?" Sunstreaker said.

His voice was cold, almost bitingly so. He didn't turn around.

"It's about your jetpacks," Thundercracker said. He flinched as Sunstreaker and Sideswipe turned, their optics searing his plating. "I, um. Would you be willing to teach another mech how to use them?"

"You can fly," Sideswipe said, his olfactory ridge crinkling.

Thundercracker shook his helm. "Not me! Soundwave. He wants to fly, but he doesn't have wings or thrusters, so…"

"The little bot that refuses to talk to any of us?" Sideswipe asked.

As far as Thundercracker knew, Soundwave didn't wander the base frequently. Na had actually stopped coming at all. But clearly, na had made an impression in the scarce moments na was there.

"Yeah," Thundercracker said. "Him."

Sideswipe and Sunstreaker exchanged glances. Sunstreaker shrugged.

"Why not?" He said.

Silence lingered between them. None of them moved. Something desperate clawed at Thundercracker. He used to be so close to Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, but now they could barely hold a conversation. What had happened while he was gone?

Finally, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker turned away. Thundercracker stepped forward, reaching out.

"I missed you," he said.

"We missed you too," Sunstreaker said. Thundercracker's spark lightened. "But you're one of them now."

Thundercracker took a step back. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're a Seeker," Sunstreaker said.

"I've always been one," Thundercracker said.

Didn't they know that?

"But you were different," Sideswipe said. "You didn't run around and kill things. You spoke Common. You were loyal to the Autobots. Now you spend half your time with those mechanimals and devour petrorabbits in the mess hall. You didn't even try to talk to us until you needed something."

Guilt washed over Thundercracker. It was true. He hadn't tried to speak with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe until now. After brushing them off in the mess hall, he hadn't spoken to them at all. But did they really decide he wasn't loyal to the Autobots anymore based on that?

"I'm loyal," Thundercracker said. "I came back, didn't I?"

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe stared at him. Thundercracker's plating tensed.

"I went on this mission to help us," Thundercracker said. "It was why the Autobots took me in, wasn't it? To infiltrate the Seekers? So I did. And now I'm here, and they're here, and we aren't fighting each other. Because I made things peaceful."

"You dragged a bunch of mechanimals that fuel on living metal to our doorstep!" Sunstreaker said. "The same mechanimals that killed countless Autobots and destroyed cities. And now you're defending them."

Thundercracker's wings widened of their own accord. "Autobots killed Seekers, too! They destroyed entire flocks and their homes!"

"In self-defense!" Sunstreaker spat. "Or did you forget that the Seekers are trying to kill us all? That they were created to eliminate the enemy and now that they've run out of wars, they've come to destroy us too?"

Anger rose in Thundercracker's spark, burning his fuel lines. Seekers weren't like that. He knew they weren't. They were forced to fight. Even Megatron had said that. And if all they knew was fighting, what else were they going to do? The solution wasn't to put them down like rabid cyberdogs. Thundercracker himself was proof of that.

"Then I'm a mechanimal!" Thundercracker growled. "There is no difference between me and them."

"You're right," Sunstreaker said, backing away. "There is no difference."

The hall was quiet with them gone. Thundercracker's limbs went numb. Was that really what they thought? For them to turn so quickly, had they really ever viewed him as different? How many of the Autobots agreed with them, silently or not?

Thundercracker didn't want to know.

!!!

"You can't let the Autobots train under Deftclaw."

Thundercracker was nearly in recharge when Skywarp's voice rescheduled this audials. He forced himself awake.

"Why?" He asked.

Skywarp frowned, waz olfactory ridge crinkling. "It's wrong."

Thundercracker ran his fingers over Skywarp's wing. On the other side of him, Starscream stirred.

"Why would it be wrong?" Thundercracker said.

Seekers hunted all the time. The Autobots were already trying to learn how to hunt. Some of them, anyway. Ratchet's traps were just a different method.

"It's underhanded," Starscream said. "Prey can't fight back when it's in a trap."

"Is this about the external weapons thing?" Thundercracker said.

Megatron had scorned them before. Thundercracker hadn't asked any of the others whether it was an actual common belief or just Megatron being Megatron, but the lack of interest in Nacelle's smithing made him suspect the former. Megatron was probably just one of the few that actually voiced it.

"Yes," Starscream said. "And no. External weapons still let the prey fight back. Traps don't."

Okay. So the prejudice against external weapons was a thing. Just not to the level Megatron believed in it. Yet another reason why Sunstorm would've been angry at Bitstream and Hotlink for being interested in Autobot weapons, and why Blast was initially so insistent that Windshear wouldn't live a good life. Thundercracker stored that away for later.

"Why does the prey have to fight back?" Thundercracker asked. "Wouldn't it be kinder to just kill it immediately?"

Starscream snorted. Skywarp shook waz helm.

"If it escapes, it lives. If it doesn't, we eat," Skywarp said. "Traps don't give that chance. They prey is just stuck, alone and afraid, waiting for death. I would want a chance to escape if something was trying to eat me."

Thundercracker flinched. That was… dark.

Starscream flicked kas wing. "Traps are a weapon of the enemy. They've been used against us many times. Using traps would make is just like the Autobots."

Thundercracker motioned to the walls that surrounded them.

"We're sleeping in an Autobot burrow," Thundercracker said. "We've lived alongside them for over a vorn now. Our helpers are working together. If we wanted to avoid being like the Autobots, that cybird has flown."

Starscream scoffed.

"We aren't like them," ka said. "We hunt. We dig. We speak Vosian. They sneer and jeer but we stay as we are. We may be forced to work with them but we're not like them. We never will be. Even if we wanted to pretend that all of us could change our ways right now, they would never accept it. So let us hold onto what we have. Let us teach them the right way to do this, and keep them from taking yet another thing from us."

The venom in kas voice was matched by the anger on the air. Starscream spoke with kas lips curled, exposing kas dentae. Skywarp looked away as Thundercracker turned toward wan, waz wings lowering, before they rose again and wa looked up.

"Please," wa said.

They were right about the Autobots never accepting them. Thundercracker had tried to put the interaction with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe out of his mind, but his processor summoned the memory files now. Just siding with the Seekers once caused them to turn away from him. They called him a mechanimal. Did they even view him as a mech, or just as a monster? Yet another enemy to ruthlessly take down just like in the games they used to play?

The Autobots would starve if they ran out of energeon. The small band that were learning to hunt wouldn't be able to sustain them, and that was if they could even get the Autobots to be remotely friendly toward the idea of consuming lime energeon. Thundercracker was starting to have doubts.

Trapping was one of the few ways they could do that. All the Autobots would have to do was learn how to operate the traps. No more failed hunting sessions. And then what? They would have carcasses to discard. The Seekers would never touch them because they were obtained through trapping. It would be a waste.

"Okay," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp nuzzled him. Starscream let out a quiet trill. The air calmed.

How could Thundercracker save the Autobots and keep his word?

!!!

A nearby base agreed to be their relay (Well, nearby if nearby meant half a cycle's flight—but Autobot bases were generally far apart). Thundercracker lingered just out of sight of the communications console's camera. Arcee stood at the center of it—the only individual in the room that would be visible. They didn't know how The Intermediary or their relay would react to Seekers in an Autobot base, and they didn't want to find out.

The screen lit the room. An Autobot appeared on it, white plating brightly lit. Two glowing protrusions were on the side of their helm.

"Wheeljack!" Arcee said.

The Autobot—Wheeljack—waved.

"Before you put us through," Arcee said. "I just wanted to thank you again."

Wheeljack shrugged. "We're always happy to help. Even if the situation is a bit… odd."

Arcee nodded. The screen flickered as Wheeljack sent them through. When the loading indicator disappeared, they were met with yet another Autobot. He glared at them with narrowed optics, blue plating shining in the too-bright artificial light.

"What do you need?" He said.

His voice was accented, though Thundercracker couldn't place it. Was that just how mecha from Iacon sounded?

"We need to speak with The Magnus," Arcee said.

The Intermediary scoffed. "Everyone needs to speak with The Magnus. Tell me why."

Thundercracker's spark fluttered. His vision darkened at the edges, his helm spinning. Scrap. No, no, no… not now.

"Our ornly stipend hasn't come in," Arcee said.

The Intermediary's brow furrowed. "Is that so?"

Thundercracker's limbs went numb. This was so much worse than the other times his seekerlings had taken energy from his spark. Why was it so much worse? His vision faded. He reached blindly for the wall.

"Yes," Arcee said. "We—"

Thundercracker's hand missed. He stumbled forward.

"What is that?"

Thundercracker froze, pressing himself against the wall. His vision returned, greeting him with the sight of The Intermediary, optics blazing as they stared at him. He lowered his wings. Arcee turned around, shock on the air.

"I—um," Thundercracker stammered. "I'm Thundercracker. Hi?"

"It speaks," The Intermediary said.

His voice was calm—no hint of the surprise Thundercracker was used to.

"I do," Thundercracker said.

The Intermediary stared straight past him.

"There is a Seeker in your base," The Intermediary said. "Why haven't you destroyed it?"

"He's harmless," Arcee said.

Thundercracker was almost offended. Almost. He could do plenty of harm. He just didn't feel like it.

"It's a Seeker," The Intermediary said. "Seekers are never harmless."

"This Seeker is!" Arcee said. "Thundercracker has never—"

The screen went dark. Silence fell over the room. After a few moments, a message appeared: Connection Severed.

Thundercracker flinched. "Did they just—?"

Arcee let out a frustrated noise and pressed a button on the console. A loading screen appeared as it attempted to establish a connection. Another error. She tried again. And again. And again. All returned errors.

She let out another noise and changed the target. Still unsuccessful. Another target. Still none. She ran a diagnostic.

Connection Timed Out.

"What does that mean?" Thundercracker asked.

Arcee's plating shook with tension.

"We aren't connected to the network," Arcee said, her voice strained. "We can't reach anyone."

"You can fix it, right?" Thundercracker said. "Just reboot it and—"

Arcee whirled towards him. "What do you think I just did?"

Thundercracker raised his hands in surrender. It had to be an error, didn't it? They hadn't just cut them off like that, right?

But it was entirely possible. The Autobot communication network was controlled by Iacon, despite being distributed in satellites across the planet. If The Intermediary blocked their identifier, nothing would respond.

The timing was suspicious. They already hadn't received their stipend for multiple orns. They stopped being able to reach The Intermediary after that. Now, they finally reached The Intermediary, and they suddenly stopped being able to reach anyone at all.

No communications meant no help. No supplies. They were fully on their own.

Prowl and Optimus wouldn't be able to contact them. And that was what started this, wasn't it? They left, and after they would've reached Iacon, everything went wrong. Had something happened to them? Did the saboteur find out? Or worse, was there no saboteur at all?

It made sense. The Magnus knew everything. Iacon had access to all communications. If anyone was planning something, they would know. All of those mysteriously dropped communications or altered routes, all of the undeclared missions… The Magnus had the authority to facilitate all of that.

But why? Why would The Magnus harm the Autobots?

The memory came back yet again: Prowl explaining how to locate the enemy. Mapping out attacks. The Magnus wasn't misdirecting the Autobots for the sake of it—it was to draw out the Seekers. If they attacked, The Magnus would have one more piece of evidence to locate them with. And Megatron played right into it.

Prowl and Optimus were in Iacon, right in The Magnus's grasp. What if they hadn't returned because they could have spilled the truth? What if The Magnus was keeping them? It explained why they hadn't returned to the base or made any calls.

Thundercracker's spark spun faster. He clutched his chest, willing it to slow down, but his processor refused to calm, and it was taking his spark with it. It couldn't be good for his litter, but he couldn't stop it. The Intermediary saw him. It would be reported. The Magnus would know where he was.

For some reason, they had been deemed dangerous. Thundercracker's presence would only solidify it. It was the perfect play: cut off the enemy's resources and watch them flounder. That was what they tried to do by taking the Seekers' hunting grounds, and what they were doing now by cutting the base off from the network.

Prowl and Optimus were in danger, but so were they. The Autobots that attacked the Decepticons wanted living Seekers. Now, they knew where some of them might be. Thundercracker could hope they would assume it was just him, but he knew they understood he was part of the flock.

Everyone at the base was in danger. Whatever special team Sentinel was a part of would come for all of them soon. The Seekers would be captured. The Autobots would be imprisoned at best. Traitors were executed. All they could hope for was mercy.

Thundercracker had to fix this. There must be a way. He searched his memory files, his notes, everything. Slowly, a plan formed. He turned toward the other occupants of the room. Arcee, Starscream, and Skywarp stared back at him.

"I'm going to Iacon," Thundercracker said.

Thundercracker fought the temptation to pace. Every moment he spent preparing was another moment Prowl and Optimus could be imprisoned or worse. Every cycle spent getting things ready was another that the base got closer to running out of fuel. In the few cycles after communications were cut off, Arcee reduced rations further. She still hadn't said anything to the soldiers, and Thundercracker knew the moment she revealed it would be too late. But there was little he could do to convince Arcee to tell the truth, so he requested the Seekers not tell the few Autobots that still attempted to hunt with them about the fuel shortage or the communications blackout.

They were getting better. Not good enough, but better. More hunts returned something than not, but they still couldn't complete them independently. It was typically the Seekers of the group that dealt the final blow. That likely wouldn't change, but Thundercracker made his trinemates a promise. He couldn't break it.

The trees swayed gently in the wind, leaves rustling. Distant chatter reached his audials. The flock was just out of sight, giving his trinemates enough privacy to complain. Starscream leaned toward him, dentae bared.

"You're either joking or a fool," ka hissed.

Thundercracker turned toward kan. Kas wings lowered slightly, but ka stood tall. Thundercracker flicked his wings.

"I'm only a fool because I let them go alone," Thundercracker said. "There's something wrong. I'm the only one who can investigate."

Skywarp launched waz at him, wrapping waz arms around him. "You can't go. The flock needs you."

Thundercracker pushed wan away gently.

"Prowl needs me more," he said. "And if we don't find out what's going on, all of us will be in danger."

Starscream growled and shook kas helm. "You've kindled. This puts the litter in danger. Don't you realize that? Is some dirtkisser really worth—"

Anger rose in Thundercracker's spark. He rattled his wings. "That 'dirtkisser' is my creator! Prowl raised me. Wouldn't you do the same for your creators?"

Starscream bared kas dentae, kas plating flaring. Then, ka stepped back, kas wings drooping. "I…"

"I saw your memories," Thundercracker said. "I know you would. Please let me do this."

Starscream shook kas helm, taking another step back, and sighed. "If we don't go with you, we can't protect you. Please, at least take one of us."

"Or just send someone else instead!" Skywarp said.

Thundercracker needed to make them see how important this was.

"I can't send someone else. If you come with me and we get captured, then no one will be left to lead the Decepticons," Thundercracker said. "And no one will be able to rescue us."

Starscream threw kas helm back and growled. Ka leaned against a nearby tree. Skywarp fidgeted with waz claws as if wa wanted to speak, but didn't say anything. A new voice startled all three of them.

"No one, hm?"

Thundercracker whirled toward the voice. Black plating blended into the shadows of the trees. Thundercracker grimaced. He didn't want anyone to know until the moment he had to leave.

"How long have you been there?" Thundercracker asked.

"Long enough to hear that you're leaving," Blast said.

"Yes… I—I am."

Starscream hissed. "Not just you!"

Thundercracker widened his wings. "I already told you—"

"I can take care of it," Blast said.

Thundercracker froze. Beside him, Starscream did the same. Ka stared at Blast with a furrowed brow. Blast stared back, wings held high.

"You're carrying a litter," Blast said. "You shouldn't go alone. I can keep everything together while you're gone."

It was a perfect solution, but something nibbling at the back of Thundercracker's processor made him hesitate. There was no reason for it. He should just let Blast lead while they were gone.

"I don't want to burden you," Thundercracker said.

Blast shook nas helm. "It's not a burden. You helped me. Let me help you."

Thundercracker's spark warmed, but the hesitance remained. He glanced at his trinemates. Skywarp closed waz optics. Starscream tipped kas helm in Blast's direction. Thundercracker braced himself.

"Okay," he said.

!!!

Goodbyes to the Autobots were the easiest. Bulkhead sent him off with a warm hug. Arcee, ever distant, gave him a curt nod. He didn't attempt to speak with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. That left just one mech.

Thundercracker peered through the medbay door. There were no patients in the room, but Ratchet was rarely idle. He stood at one of the terminals, updating and organizing records. First Aid and the few other medical staff were on break, so this was the perfect moment to speak privately.

Thundercracker hesitated, lingering at the doorway. He forced himself to duck under it, but he didn't go low enough. His wings banged against the door—painless but loud. Ratchet pressed a button on the computer and it went dark.

"Thundercracker," he said.

"H—hi," Thundercracker stammered. He fidgeted. How was he supposed to do this? When he left before, it was facilitated.

Ratchet placed a hand on his hip. His stare, focused and intrigued, burned Thundercracker's plating. He tried not to shrink. Shaking himself out, he spoke again.

"I'm leaving," he said.

Ratchet frowned. "For where?"

Thundercracker's wings flicked. He fought not to look away. Autobots looked each other in the optics when they spoke.

"Iacon," he said. "Something is wrong and I need to find out what it is."

Ratchet hummed. "Is this about the communications blackout?"

Thundercracker flinched. How did Ratchet know?

"I have access to the network, you know," Ratchet said with a derisive snort. "I have to keep up with the latest research somehow. Most of the soldiers don't, so they wouldn't notice a thing, but the medical staff? We've only been keeping quiet because you have. We hoped there was a good reason."

He could answer that. It wasn't a question, but he could answer it.

"Arcee doesn't want anyone to panic," Thundercracker said.

Ratchet tutted. "There'll be panic regardless."

A small wave of relief rushed over Thundercracker. The longer Arcee delayed this, the larger the consequences would be. Did she think they wouldn't panic upon finding out there were no rations left? That waiting until they ran out was somehow better than just getting it out of the way? Or…

"I think she's afraid," Thundercracker said.

He tapped his claws against the counter. It wasn't easy. He didn't have a base's worth of soon-to-be starving mecha depending on him, but he knew what it was like to be carry difficult news. He still hadn't told anyone except Starscream and Hotlink's small group about his trine role. Starscream seemed to have accepted it now, but the others would probably react the way ka did at first, if not worse.

"Fear doesn't justify keeping this from everyone," Ratchet said. "They need to know. I'll talk to her."

Ratchet's definition of talking to someone was a stern, disapproving lecture with a wrench in his hand. He never used it—at least not on Thundercracker —but the fact he held it at all was not to be ignored. He definitely didn't envy Arcee.

"Right," Thundercracker said. "Well, um… I came here to say goodbye. Since I'm leaving."

He cringed. Why did he say it like that?

"When?" Ratchet asked.

Thundercracker shrugged. "As soon as I can. I already made arrangements with the flock, and Arcee knows. I just wanted to say goodbye to you first."

Ratchet's brow furrowed in a soft way. He reached for Thundercracker. Allowing himself to be grabbed, Thundercracker was guided into a gentle embrace.

"Don't get killed," Ratchet said. "I put a lot of effort into keeping you healthy."

Thundercracker laughed. As he pulled away, Ratchet grinned up at him. But a slight melancholy drifted on the air, betraying his expression.

"I'll try not to," Thundercracker said, turning away.

Just as he reached the doorway, a yell from Ratchet gave him pause. He turned back toward him.

"Your little friend never said goodbye," Ratchet said. "Didn't even tell me you were leaving."

Starscream wasn't the type of individual to really keep track of those things. Ka came and went as ka pleased, and seemed to forget that others might care about that. But Thundercracker didn't think Ratchet would mind.

"He isn't the most social mech," Thundercracker said sheepishly.

Ratchet snorted. "Understatement of the vorn. But he is coming with you, right? You're bonded."

Thundercracker nodded. "How do you…?"

Ratchet used large to refer to Starscream this time. Had something changed between them?

"You've barely been apart since you arrived, and your signals match," Ratchet said. "Tell him I'll miss my apprentice. And I'm already making plans for him to catch up on all the training time he'll be missing."

Something definitely had changed.

Thundercracker dipped his helm. "I will. Don't worry."

It was nice to know Starscream got along with someone.

!!!

Leaving the flock was much more difficult than Thundercracker anticipated. He wasn't leaving forever, but some part of his processor worried that he was. What if he never came home? What would happen to the flock then? They wouldn't listen to Blast forever. Maybe they would come searching, and then who knew what would happen. Or maybe they would scatter permanently.

Soundwave's hand landed on his arm, bringing him out of his thoughts. Na stared up at him. Thundercracker didn't say anything. Soundwave could hear thoughts. Na already knew.

"I'm going to miss you," Soundwave said quietly. "Skywarp, too."

Thundercracker pulled nam into a hug. Na hugged back, squeezing him. Thundercracker purred.

"We'll come back," Thundercracker said.

Soundwave scooted away, resettling beside him.

"But you're worried you won't," Soundwave said.

Thundercracker sighed. "The Magnus is the head of all Autobot government. Iacon is the most powerful Autobot city. Anything could happen to us. But I'll do everything I can to make it back."

"I know you will," Soundwave said.

Thundercracker's spark burned as Soundwave's visor met his optics. The air was filled with something warm and bright. Carefully picking it apart, Thundercracker identified it as love. His spark nearly broke.

Soundwave had so much faith in him. He had to prove it wasn't misplaced.

Blast approached. Windshear bounded from behind nam. The moment va grew close enough, va launched vaz at Thundercracker. He rolled onto his back, in part to engage in play but mainly to absorb the force of the hit. Va let out an amused trill.

"Got you!" Va said.

Windshear had grown so much. Blast could barely hold vam now. And it was nearly the vorn of vas role test. Thundercracker wouldn't be there to see it. His spark ached. There was so much he was going to miss.

But if he didn't go, the Autobots would starve. Prowl and Optimus would never come home. They would never learn what was truly going on in Iacon. He just wished he had more time.

"You did!" Thundercracker said, forcing himself to use a cheerful tone.

He flopped over. Windshear fell onto vas back with a noise of surprise. Then, va hopped onto vas pedes and skipped back to Blast's side. Vas playful demeanor lessened, vas wings drooping and a small frown forming on vas face.

"You're gonna go now," va said.

Thundercracker nodded. "We are."

Skywarp and Starscream had been quiet. They hung back, letting Thundercracker say his goodbyes. Between arranging everything, he hadn't had time yet. Skywarp had already gone on one last hunt with Soundwave. In typical fashion, Starscream hadn't said anything to anyone.

Windshear looked between them and Thundercracker.

"Tell the Autobots not to mess with us!" Va said.

Thundercracker reached out, patting vam on the helm. Va squeaked.

"We will," Thundercracker said.

Va squeaked again and ran around the other side of Blast, out of Thundercracker's reach. Blast chuckled. Na knelt.

"We just wanted to wish you luck," na said.

Thundercracker dipped his helm. "Thank you."

Blast smiled and got up, herding Windshear away. Soundwave got up to join them, but paused. Thundercracker followed nas gaze.

Ahead was bright yellow and bright red plating. No wings. Could it be…?

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe came into view. Thundercracker rose, widening his wings. They wouldn't try anything, but their last conversation had been anything but pleasant. Behind him, Starscream and Skywarp hissed. Sunstreaker raised his hands, showing his palms. Sideswipe curled in on himself. In his hands was a box. As Thundercracker glared at it, details started coming together. He forced his wings back into neutral position.

"Why are you here?" He asked.

From what Sideswipe was holding, he already knew. But he wanted to hear it directly from them.

"We told you we'd teach the little mech how to use a jetpack," Sunstreaker said with a shrug. "Figured we'd make good on our word, and he never comes to the base, so we came here."

Sideswipe fiddled with the jetpack, nearly dropping it. "We also heard you were leaving."

Thundercracker tilted his helm.

"You did," he said. "Why do you care? I thought I was just a mechanimal."

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe cringed.

"Look," Sunstreaker said. "We shouldn't have said that. You're still Thundercracker! You're just… all Seeker-y now. It's a big adjustment."

Thundercracker had always been a Seeker. He was scolded and punished for clawing at the walls, or hunting scraplets, or building a nest, or not wanting to sleep alone—things he later learned were natural. The only reason he didn't act like a Seeker before was that he wasn't allowed to. But he didn't say that. He knew it would just lead to another argument.

Thundercracker sighed.

"Thank you," he said.

At least Soundwave would get to fly.

!!!

It was easy to find. Thundercracker already filed the location away for later. No one had any idea he even searched for it. Although the terminals in the base were disconnected from the network, they had plenty of downloaded information. Bases didn't move overnight.

If anyone could help the Autobots, it would be other Autobots. Why Arcee hadn't asked for help before, he wasn't certain, but they needed it now. Thundercracker couldn't spend his journey worrying about whether the bots back at home would starve.

It wasn't far. That was what Thundercracker told himself as he took off. It wasn't far, and then he could take a break. His fault gauge was already complaining, and it had only been a breem since he last ate. With his newsparks nowhere near sustaining themselves, the spark spasms had only increased. Sunstorm told him they were developing their major fuel lines now, which was why he was so ravenously hungry.

They landed. Only a few moments, then Thundercracker could catch a turborat or something and make the hunger go away. But as a light flashed in the distance, he realized his mistake: these Autobots didn't know him.

Everything around him rippled. Nothing was below his pedes. Then, suddenly, he was on solid ground. Skywarp's arms were wrapped around him, fear making the air sting.

"Are the newsparks okay?" Skywarp said, voice frantic. "I've never teleported with a gravid Seeker before!"

Where Thundercracker just stood was a scorchmark. At the other side of it, Starscream bared kas dentae and rattled kas wings.

[{ID:THCR} Stop!]

Starscream froze. Ka glanced at Thundercracker, confusion wafting on the air, before turning back toward the Autobots. A few had gathered outside the base, bearing blasters and blunt weapons. Thundercracker stepped forward and threw out his arms.

"We don't want to fight!" He shouted in Common. "We have something important to tell you!"

The Autobots exchanged glances. Thundercracker prepared for the inevitable shocked shouting and repeated questions. But before any of that could occur, the doors of the base flew open. Wheeljack stood in the doorway.

"Hold your fire!" Wheeljack said, gesturing dramatically. "They're friendly!

The guards shuffled out of the way as Wheeljack walked through them. Thundercracker bit back a remark about how that was exactly what he just said as Wheeljack stopped before them.

"We need help," Thundercracker said. Technically… "I mean, the bots at Prowl's base need help. They were disconnected from the network and weren't given their stipend, so they can't buy supplies."

Wheeljack placed a hand on their chin and hummed. "Interesting."

"You helped before, so I was hoping you'd help again," Thundercracker said.

Wheeljack was silent, stroking the projection on their chin. Thundercracker faltered. Was forwarding the call a one-time thing? Had The Intermediary told them something about the base that would keep them from helping?

"We'll help!" Wheeljack shouted, raising their arm in the air. Starscream let out a quiet squawk and stepped out of hitting range. At a more typical volume, Wheeljack added, "We knew something was amiss, but it seems larger than I assumed."

Thundercracker nodded, trying not to show the sheer amount of relief that coursed through him at Wheeljack's declaration. "We think it's something bigger as well. We're trying to figure it out, but in the meantime…"

"Yes," Wheeljack said with a nod. "We'll let the others know. We should all be able to pitch in."

"Thank you," Thundercracker said.

With a dip of his helm and a quick goodbye, they were off. Thundercracker savored the petrorabbit they caught before they began their journey. Now, he knew that while they were gone, the Autobots wouldn't starve.

!!!

They took frequent breaks. Not just because Thundercracker needed to fuel frequently. Flying left him tired and at times, dizzy. He hadn't flown this far in a long time, let alone while gravid. One of these stops landed them in a peculiar place.

At first, Thundercracker assumed it was inhabited, and was tempted to fly over it. But Starscream pointed out that none of the lights were on. The city stretched out before them, dark and uninviting. Buildings were crumbled and cracked at the corners. In the center, one had collapsed entirely, coating what was once a large intersection in debris. They touched down in the center of this pile, as it was the largest open space.

Thundercracker nearly jumped as something skittered. He whipped toward it only to find nothing was there. A pebble laid on the ground, likely disturbed by their landing. He really should've expected that. The whole place seemed uninhabited. So why had he almost thought something was there?

After much investigation and bristling, Starscream led them into one of the buildings. Ka was confident it wouldn't fall overnight, unlike the last four ka checked. Thundercracker didn't bother pointing out that most of them looked like they would, and that there was a large crack spidering up the side of the one they were in. They were just resting for the night. It would be fine. He curled around his trinemates and slipped into recharge.

It was dark. Why was he awake? A scraping noise. Were those pedesteps? Thundercracker adjusted his optical feed. A tall figure came into focus. He blinked. It was gone.

Had he imagined it?

He went back into recharge.

In the morning, the moment was gone from his mind. His fuel gauge woke him. Groggily, He shook Starscream and Skywarp. Starscream hissed, slapping him in the face with all the force of a wet cyberkitten. Skywarp rose much more calmly, blinking at Thundercracker with wide optics.

"Let me guess," Skywarp said. "Hungry?"

"Yeah," Thundercracker said.

They rose together, stalking the ruined city. A few cybirds chirped—too small to be prey. Something skittered. A quiet scratching sound. Thundercracker followed it, searching for signs of movement.

Then, there! Thundercracker pounced. The turborat screeched as his claws pierced its armor. He slammed it down. Unable to resist, he severed one of its main fuel lines, nearly purring as he drank.

Ahead, something thumped. Thundercracker froze. A shadow stretched over the alleyway. With flared plating and widened wings, Thundercracker looked up. Piercing optics stared into his. Then, they were gone.

Carefully, Thundercracker extracted himself from the alley.

[{ID:THCR} I think I just saw a Seeker.]

The response was immediate.

[{ID:SKWP} scrap]

[{ID:STSC} Get over here right now.]

Thundercracker obeyed. Starscream pulled him behind kan, wings wide and dentae bared. Skywarp lingered close to both of them with lowered wings. Shaking himself out, Thundercracker assumed a defensive stance.

With a powerful whoosh, a Seeker landed in front of them. Another whoosh, and another at their side. Then, another. Before they could flee, they were surrounded.

The Seeker before them was a deep, mottled green that verged on gray with faint golden accents that may have once been beautiful but were now dull. They approached with an aura of calm that only set Thundercracker further on edge. Though smaller than Thundercracker, the Seeker's presence more than made up for their size. They stared down at the group with burning red optics.

"Intruders," the Seeker growled. "Why are you here?"

Thundercracker forced himself to lower his wings.

"We're just passing through," he said.

The Seeker narrowed their optics.

"Bot-raised," the Seeker hissed.

The Seekers that surrounded them murmured among themselves. Thundercracker caught a few snippets, but not enough to tell what they said.

"H—how did you know?" Thundercracker said.

"Your accent," the Seeker said. "It's familiar. Tell me, bot-raised: have you brought those monsters here?"

Thundercracker shook his helm. "No!"

The Seeker stepped closer.

"We don't tolerate bot-raised here," the Seeker spat. "They only bring trouble. You made a mistake when you came here."

The Seeker stepped back. The other Seekers came forward, reaching for him. Starscream leaped ahead of him, but was quickly pinned by a larger Seeker. Skywarp went down shortly after. Thundercracker kicked and clawed and thrashed, but being so low on fuel sapped his strength, and he was soon restrained. Two Seekers held him—one on each side—as the mottled Seeker approached again.

The mottled Seeker dug their claws into his chest. Panic seized Thundercracker, his spark spinning. The newsparks! He squirmed, but the Seekers held firm. No, no! The claws dug deeper. He wailed.

"Don't!"

Skywarp's cry split the air. The mottled Seeker ignored it.

"Na is gravid!" Skywarp yelled. "You can't kill nam! It'll kill the newsparks too!"

The mottled Seeker froze. Their optics drifted toward Skywarp. Everything was silent. Then, the claws were removed from Thundercracker's chest. The Seeker stepped back.

"Release them," the Seeker said.

Thundercracker fell to his knees. His spark was still spinning, and spinning, and spinning…

Everything was fuzzy. Sounds were muffled. Arms wrapped around him. Familiar magenta and pale purple plating. But his spark was still spinning so fast. Dizziness enveloped him. He swayed.

Red optics appeared in his vision. He scooted backward. Something was placed in his hands, forced into them until he held on. He felt along its edges. The turborat?

Another set of hands pried it away. A moment later, a small, flat object was pressed into his palm. His fingers curled around it. His hand was guided toward his mouth. He bit down. Metal crunched beneath his dentae.

Slowly, the world came into focus. A self-soothing purr rumbled in his chest. Starscream and Skywarp held him, attempting to calm him with purrs of their own. The mottled Seeker had backed away, staring with a scrunched olfactory ridge and a furrowed brow.

Thundercracker brought a hand to his chest. Divots were left where the mottled Seeker's claws sunk in, smearing his claws with energeon. But it hadn't reached his spark chamber. The newsparks were safe. Slowly, his purr died out.

"I apologize," the mottled Seeker said. "I wasn't aware the bot-raised was gravid."

Skywarp growled quietly. Starscream hissed.

"Eat slag," Starscream said. "Na said we were peaceful and you attacked anyway."

The mottled Seeker's wings flicked.

"Can you blame us?" The mottled Seeker said. "We have to defend our territory, and bot-raised often bring slayers with them."

Slayers? Was that their name for Autobots? Or was the Seeker referring to ones like Sentinel?

"There are no Autobots with us," Thundercracker said, his voice weak. He forced the next words to come out stronger. "And no Autobots following us. We were just stopping to rest and eat."

The mottled Seeker hummed. They took a step forward and knelt, scrutinizing Thundercracker. He fought not to flare his plating under their gaze.

"Where exactly are you heading? Especially in this state?" The mottled Seeker said. "Travel is dangerous for a gravid Seeker."

Thundercracker couldn't just say Iacon. That wouldn't make any sense to the Seeker. So what could he say? He would need to speak carefully.

"One of my creators went missing," Thundercracker said. "We think… ka—" He hesitated on the pronoun, unsure of how to refer to Prowl in Vosian. "—may have been captured. We're going to free kan."

The mottled Seeker hummed.

"Admirable," they said. "But a touch foolish. You can stay here."

The Seeker motioned toward the Seekers that surrounded them.

"We are the Reconian flock," they said. They placed a hand on their chest. "I am Lightframe."

Thundercracker didn't point out how ill-fitting that name was.

"Thank you," he said.

This was going to be a long cycle.

After they learned Thundercracker was gravid, the Reconian flock completely changed their attitude. They treated him with an odd reverence, reluctant to approach. The few that attempted were often held back. It didn't help that Starscream hissed at anyone that came close. Both of his trinemates clung to Thundercracker, barely spending a moment without him.

They were given a spare nest. The flock slept in the basements of the buildings in small groups. Thundercracker supposed it was a fair replacement for burrows. Starscream spent a full breem complaining about the smell. Skywarp found a new love for the rafters. That was where wa was perched as Thundercracker woke from a nap to hushed shouting. Irritation rippled the air. Tiredly, Thundercracker braced himself to break up whatever was happening. As much as he wished they got along better, at least the angry whispers were coming from both sides.

"Coward!" Starscream hissed.

"Sparkless scrapheap!" Skywarp spat.

Starscream rose to kas pedes. "I'll show you sparkless—"

"Hey!" Thundercracker said.

Both Seekers froze. They stared down at him, completely silent. Then, Starscream raised a claw and pointed.

"No," Thundercracker said. "I don't care who started it. What was this about?"

And why did they always act like seekerlings around each other? Scrap, the two seekerlings in Thundercracker's life were much more mature than these two. Though, thinking on it…

Neither of them were raised the way Thundercracker was. Maybe they never actually had the chance to grow up. At least Starscream was snarking back even when he wasn't present now.

"Skywarp is being a coward," Starscream said.

Skywarp's wings fluttered angrily. "I'm not! I just think that we should stay a little longer!"

"And make the flock wait?" Starscream said. "They need their Winglord. The faster we get going, the faster we can find out what's going on and return."

Skywarp growled. Wa turned toward Thundercracker.

"You're tired, right?" Skywarp said pleadingly.

Not particularly.

Thundercracker flicked his wing. "I just woke up."

It would take a while longer before he would need another nap. The seekerlings took a lot of energy out of him, but not that much energy.

The hot irritation that seared the air took Thundercracker aback. But as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. Skywarp shook waz plating.

"I'm just saying that this is a good place to rest," Skywarp said, a slight edge to waz voice. "We don't know what's ahead. But there's food here and the Reconian flock will protect us."

Starscream scoffed. "And I'm saying we can't linger when this journey will already take as long as it will."

Thundercracker fought a sigh. He loved his trinemates, but playing mediator for them was a pain when it was already half of what he did every cycle for everyone else. There was a compromise here.

"We can stay for a cycle more," Thundercracker said. "Gather some supplies. But Starscream is right that we need to get going soon."

Starscream grinned. Skywarp bared waz dentae, but ka wasn't cowed. With a growl, Skywarp leapt down from the rafters. Wa stalked toward Starscream, pedesteps heavy with anger. Thundercracker reached out, grabbing the tip of waz wing. Wa froze.

"Don't," Thundercracker said.

They were doing so well. Since he confronted Skywarp, they hadn't had any fights turn physical. But it seemed that because the secret was out, Skywarp wasn't trying to keep waz irritation with Starscream hidden anymore.

Thundercracker was reminded of the memory he saw when they linked up. Skywarp's dam had lashed out at nas trinemates just as Skywarp had. From nam, Skywarp had learned that this was natural—that hitting one's own trinemates was okay. That if they couldn't take it, they were failing and should leave.

Starscream expected to be hurt. But now that ka knew Thundercracker disapproved of it, ka knew there wouldn't be consequences. From their perspective, Starscream was getting away with misbehavior. But Thundercracker wasn't going to enforce some rigid hierarchy he barely understood just because it was the way things were expected to work.

Skywarp whirled toward Thundercracker, claws out. Leaning backward, Thundercracker just barely evaded the swipe. With bared dentae, Skywarp leaned forward.

"You're going to get yourself killed," Skywarp growled. "If not you, the litter. And if not the litter, then both of you! And I can't stand it! You just keep charging into danger, and at first I thought I could convince Starscream to keep you safe. After all, ka is supposed to protect you! But then you made plans together! No matter what I do, no matter what I suggest, you just keep going ahead with whatever dangerous thing you want!"

Thundercracker sat up, reaching. "Skywarp—"

Skywarp growled and backed away.

"No!" Wa spat. "I can't take it anymore. I don't want to see you hurt. I just… I can't, okay? We were safe back home. We're safe here. Who cares about the Autobots?"

Who cared? Who cared? That was his creator! Thundercracker forced down the fury that rose within him. Skywarp was scared. That was why wa was lashing out. He couldn't make it worse.

"I care," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp closed waz optics and sighed. Wa jumped as Starscream snickered.

"Like I said," Starscream said. "Coward."

Skywarp growled and turned around, raking kas claws over Starscream's face. Starscream hissed and backed away, energeon weeping from the fresh wound.

"You have one job," Skywarp hissed. "One pits-damned job. And you can't even do it! You pathetic, weak, lying little scrapheap! This all started because of you."

Starscream's plating flared. Ka widened kas wings. But kas twitching claws and slight movement backward betrayed kas anxiety.

"I told you," Starscream said. "I never forced Thundercracker to do anything. Not everyone runs away at the first sign of danger. Some of us want to fight."

Skywarp bared waz dentae. "It's not fighting, it's stubbornness! We could be far away from all of this—somewhere safe where our litter can grow up without worrying about being captured or killed! But both of you just want to keep putting all of us in danger."

Starscream locked optics with Skywarp and growled. That was all wa needed to launch waz forward, claws sinking into Starscream's plating. Starscream let out a surprised noise, attempting to push wan off. But wa held Starscream down, preventing escape.

"Enough!" Thundercracker yelled.

Skywarp continued to claw at Starscream. Despite having a snarling Skywarp on top of kan, Starscream didn't fight back. Ka went limp. The only energeon shed was kas.

"Enough!" Thundercracker shouted again. Again, he was ignored.

He strode forward and grabbed Skywarp's wing, pulling wan off of Starscream. Wa fell backward with a cry. Energeon stained waz claws.

"Do you remember what I told you?" Thundercracker said.

Skywarp took a step back. Waz optics were fuzzy and unfocused, barely tracking him. Wa shook waz helm.

Thundercracker took a step closer. "Starscream is different. I'm different. You can't—"

Skywarp growled and rattled waz wings.

"I don't care!" Wa hissed. "Different doesn't matter if you're dead."

Before Starscream could reply, Skywarp ran for the nearest exit and took off. Thundercracker sighed. Panic and exhaustion warred within him, causing his spark to turn quickly as his body slumped. What was he supposed to do?

"Wa will be back," Starscream said.

Thundercracker could only hope ka was correct. He helped kan sit up. Aside from the scratch across kas face, the wounds were superficial. In the quiet, the shaking of kas plating was audible. A muffled anxiety hung on the air, smothered by the Seeker who was emitting it.

"Are you okay?" Thundercracker asked.

"I can take it," Starscream weakly. "It's not any worse than I've had before."

"You shouldn't have to," Thundercracker said.

None of them should have had to. Skywarp's flock should have lived. Starscream's creators should have lived. Thundercracker…

Well, he didn't know.

"Slag happens," Starscream said. "Seekers hurt you. Seekers die. Whatever happens, happens. Skywarp will be back, and we'll be together again. You'll forgive wan, and I won't care either way. What's done is done. That's just how it is."

Thundercracker's olfactory ridge scrunched. "It shouldn't be."

The world should be better than this.

Starscream snorted. "Think whatever you want. I'm not angry at Skywarp. I never hated Megatron. Ka just got in my way. There's little difference between us and the petrorabbits we eat. We're all mechanimals, even the dirtkissers. We're going to act like it sometimes. I know what I want and that's all that matters."

"What do you want?" Thundercracker asked.

Starscream went quiet. Ka stared up at the ceiling.

"A good life," ka finally said.

Not to be Winglord. Not to get revenge. Not any of the thousand things Thundercracker could think of for Starscream to possibly want. It was simple to the point of vagueness. A good life.

"Why aren't you angry at Skywarp?" Thundercracker said. "Wa hurt you. Wa blamed you for things that weren't your fault."

Skywarp had been hurting Starscream. Thundercracker was upset about it. So why would Starscream, the one who was actually being hurt, say ka wasn't? Was it just to seem unaffected?

"Slag happens," Starscream said again, voice wavering slightly. "I don't…" Ka closed as optics, rubbing kas hand across kas face. "I know there's something wrong with me. Not just in my fuel processing system. It's in my helm, too."

Starscream looked at Thundercracker. Thundercracker stared back. Starscream sighed.

"You know I wanted to be Winglord," Starscream said.

Thundercracker nodded. "I do."

"Then you also know that means I would've had to kill my dam."

Thundercracker hadn't thought of that. Why hadn't he put the pieces together? If Starscream had wanted to be Winglord since before kas dam died, then ka would've had to kill kas dam to become Winglord—at least until Megatron took over.

"I never once reconsidered it," Starscream said. "I knew I would have to kill nam someday. The only thing about it I feared was failing. If Megatron had never become Winglord, I would have killed my dam without hesitation the moment I thought I could do it."

Thundercracker didn't know how to respond.

Starscream threw kas helm back and laughed. "When you asked me if I would do the same as you for my creators… I wouldn't. Their deaths would've made me Winglord. I wouldn't have grieved. But you would have. You're going on a quest to save your creator. Skywarp hurt me because wa wanted me to do a better job protecting you. Wa is terrified of losing you. That's how it's supposed to be. Seekers are supposed to care about trine and family. I don't. If you died next cycle, I would just keep going."

The fury and despair from Starscream's memory of Winglord Red Wing's death was burned in Thundercracker's mind. He doubted that ka didn't care about Red Wing. But Starscream was different. Thundercracker knew that.

"At least I know you won't fall apart if I'm gone," Thundercracker said.

Starscream's optics widened. Kas wings fluttered. Thundercracker reached over, pulling kan to his chest. Starscream let out a surprised trill.

Ka cared. Ka just cared differently. Thundercracker had seen it. It didn't matter to him that Starscream wasn't how ka was 'supposed' to be, whatever that meant. Thundercracker loved him and Skywarp as they were, even when they fought like this.

He wasn't exactly innocent, either. Skywarp was right that he often did things wa was reluctant to do. There were a few times he acted without telling wan because he knew wa would be upset. He never told wa about taking the petals to kill his first litter.

"This was a long time coming," Thundercracker mumbled as the realization hit him.

Starscream chirped lazily, leaning into him. Thundercracker stroked kas wings.

Sure, it wasn't appropriate for Skywarp to do what wa did. Wa should have told him wa was concerned for him rather than abusing Starscream over it. But Thundercracker hadn't been the best listener, either.

"Maybe I'm the bad trinemate," Thundercracker said.

Starscream sat up, optics widening. "You haven't done anything wrong."

"That's the problem," Thundercracker said. "I have. Neither of you will acknowledge it. You just blame each other instead."

Starscream hummed quietly, kas brow furrowing.

"I need to listen to both of you more," Thundercracker said.

Starscream scoffed. "You can't listen when we aren't speaking. Skywarp was too much of a coward to just confront you."

Skywarp had confronted him in the past—when he was taking too long to trine them and about how he was treating Starscream. He had agreed to trine, but dismissed waz concerns about Starscream. Was that why wa took action on waz own? Because he didn't agree with wan about Starscream?

"If you told me, I would've stopped it," Thundercracker said.

With a roll of kas optics, Starscream said, "There was nothing to tell. You don't see it, but all trines are like this. This is how things are. Challenges and punishments keep order, even within trines."

"Not this trine," Thundercracker said.

If Thundercracker had the choice, he wouldn't be the leader of this trine, nor would he be Winglord. But this was how things worked out and he refused to do poorly just because he didn't expect to be where he was. Even if it took their whole lives, he would continue to treat his trinemates well until they understood it.

He should have realized this was a norm when the flock refused to help Starscream after ka challenged Megatron. Skywarp and Ramjet jeering at Starscream when he accidentally stripped kas paint should have been confirmation. But just because it hadn't happened in front of him in the way it did now, he hadn't picked up on it.

"Dirtball," Starscream said fondly. "This is why I trined you. I may not agree with or understand everything you do, but you're different. You don't blindly follow the path set out for you like everyone else."

Warmth flooded Thundercracker's spark. Words left his vocalizer before he could stop them.

"Call me ka," he said.

Starscream flicked kas wing. "Why?"

There was no anger on the air. Only curiosity.

"I'm all of the roles," Thundercracker said. "But everyone calls me na. I want to hear something different."

Starscream didn't protest. Ka didn't bare kas dentae and growl. Ka didn't hiss. There was no derision or claims that Thundercracker was making a joke of this.

"Ka it is," Starscream said. "But wouldn't wa be equally as valid, then?"

It was a relief.

"Yes," Thundercracker said. "But ka might be easier. I was compared to Claws before I knew I was one."

Starscream nuzzled him. "You know that would confuse the flock."

Kas tone was light, almost teasing.

"They'll get over it," Thundercracker said.

Starscream grinned.

"I'll make them get over it," ka said.

Thundercracker laughed. Starscream grinned wider. But his joy was interrupted by a complaint from his fuel gauge.

"We should get some fuel," Thundercracker mumbled, rising from his place. "And look for Skywarp."

Starscream hopped up beside him.

"No need," ka said. "I'll hunt. You can look. Wa probably hasn't gone far. Wa will probably respond to a message if you send one."

Thundercracker hummed. Ka was right about that. Unlike Starscream, Skywarp rarely left Thundercracker without a reason. Wings were supposed to enjoy traveling and patrolling, but Skywarp seemed not to care for it. Starscream more than made up for that with kas independent streak.

They barely made it a few paces out of their temporary nest when one of the Reconian Seekers landed before them, making Thundercracker nearly skid to a stop. The Reconian dipped their helm in silent apology.

"If you're hungry, the Claws just got back," they said, bringing their hand up to point.

Ahead of them, Seekers sat, eating a variety of prey. Carcasses were laid in the center of the area. Rather than the small sets of trines Thundercracker was used to, the Reconian Seekers ate in large groups, frequently passing food between each other.

It was a bit much, even for Thundercracker. With the Autobots, he always had his own cube. With the Seekers, he chose who to share his meals with. But here? It could be with a stranger. Thundercracker's plating crawled.

"Huh," Thundercracker said, trying and failing to regain his composure. "Your Claws all hunt together?"

The Reconian tilted their helm. "How else would they hunt? They can't do it all by themselves."

'With the rest of their trine' was the obvious answer. Thundercracker couldn't get his vocalizer to work. All that came out was another meaningless noise. Starscream glanced at him.

"We can still—"

Ka was cut off by the Reconian. "You shouldn't! The Claws already caught plenty of prey. And a mech in nas condition should rest."

Starscream stared at Thundercracker. Thundercracker motioned toward the gathered Seekers.

"Let's just…" he said. "Uh. Yeah."

Starscream nodded and led him toward the prey pile. Thundercracker selected a turborat, hoping that because of its small size, no one else would attempt to share. He was quickly proven wrong when, after they settled down, a Seeker near them attempted to reach for it. He growled.

They shot him a glare, confusion on the air. Thundercracker lowered his wings. This was normal to them. He was the weird one. But he just couldn't. Something in the back of his processor whispered that they were going to take it all. That he would go hungry. And with the newsparks growing in his chest, he couldn't go hungry.

The Seeker reached again. Thundercracker flared this wings, fighting not to bare his dentae. They backed off. A wave of relief crashed over him.

Claws brushed against his arm and he turned, stopping the hiss that bubbled up in his vocalizer as he registered the source of the contact. Starscream dipped kas helm toward an unoccupied area.

"Let's go there," ka said.

They brought the turborat over. Out of range of the other Seekers, none attempted to take their meal again. Thundercracker finally ate. But ahead, a flash of plating caught his optics. The Seeker that reached for their turborat was speaking with Lightframe.

Lightframe nodded at the Seeker. Wings held upward, Lightframe approached. They carried their own meal—another turborat. Setting it down a short distance away, Lightframe sat.

What did they want? Were they going to try to take his food, too? The other Seeker spoke to them, and they were the one that introduced the flock, so they were probably Winglord. Had they decided they weren't welcome anymore?

"I hope you and your Wing are comfortable," Lightframe said.

Thundercracker's olfactory ridge scrunched. "Wing?"

Skywarp was his Wing, but Skywarp wasn't here, so they couldn't have been talking about wan. Starscream hissed, a flash of anger heating the air.

"Oh," Lightframe said. They motioned toward Starscream. "What is your role?"

"I'm a Claw," ka said sharply.

Lightframe hummed. "In our flock, Claws and Sparks are the largest Seekers. Is that different in yours?"

"No," Starscream said bitterly.

Thundercracker didn't know that, but looking back, it made sense. The Wings were usually smaller than the other two Seekers in the trine.

"How brave," Lightframe said. "To be what you are in spite of that."

[{ID:STSC] Condescending scrapheap!]

Thundercracker couldn't disagree. But hadn't he said similar things to Starscream before? He just didn't phrase them… like that.

"How far have you traveled?" Lightframe asked.

Thundercracker gave an approximate distance. Lightframe's brow furrowed slightly at the number, and Thundercracker realized that he gave the amount in a translation of Autobot distance units. He had no idea what Seekers used to measure distance. It had never come up.

Before Thundercracker could wallow in embarrassment, Starscream translated the distance, saving him from having to explain himself. Though, since Lightframe identified him as Autobot-raised before, they already knew the reason.

"That's quite far," Lightframe said. "The few Wings who came to us from other flocks traveled less. If you don't mind, can you tell me about your flock? I'm curious about the traditions of other flocks."

Thundercracker wasn't the best one to explain that. He barely understood the flock's traditions, and especially not what would make them different from others.

"What do you want to know?" He asked, trying not to let the nervousness seep into his voice.

"Well," Lightframe said. "You seemed confused about Claws hunting. Why is that?"

"The whole trine hunts together in our flock," Starscream said. "Claws only go out alone when the Spark is in Hunger."

Lightframe's gaze burned. There was no malice on the air, but Thundercracker felt targeted all the same. He forced himself to take a bite of his meal.

"You also seem reluctant to share," Lightframe said.

Thundercracker shoved another scute of plating into his mouth to keep quiet.

"Trines hunt for themselves," Starscream said. "We only share with those closest to us. And ka is… particularly possessive surrounding food."

Starscream motioned to him. Thundercracker looked away. He hadn't snapped at anyone about fuel since he first came to the flock, had he?

"Not uncommon for bot-raised if they had no other Seekers," Lightframe said. "That's why they're dangerous."

Starscream bared kas dentae. "Ka isn't dangerous."

Lightframe lowered their wings and helm.

"I meant no offense," they said. After a moment, they raised their helm. "Ka…? You referred to ka as na before."

"So?" Starscream said.

Lightframe turned toward Thundercracker.

"Are you Fourth Role?" They said.

Thundercracker stared at them. "Am I what?"

"Fourth Role," Lightframe said.

Thundercracker glanced at Starscream.

[{ID:STSC] I have no idea.]

"What?" Thundercracker said again.

Lightframe frowned. "You don't know what a Fourth Role Seeker is."

"We don't," Thundercracker said.

Lightframe hummed.

"A Fourth Role Seeker is exactly how it sounds," Lightframe said. "They don't fit within a traditional role, or have left theirs behind for another. Aside from Wings, of course."

Thundercracker wasn't a new role so much as he was all of the roles and none of them, but it was nice to know there was a name for it. Though, that meant Starscream was one, too.

"Our flock just called them nontraditional," Starscream said. "No sense in making a new role."

Lightframe shook their helm. "Oh, no. Fourth Roles aren't new. They've always been here. I'm one of them. The Reconian flock values Fourth Roles. I'm… sorry that yours does not."

Lightframe's cadence was familiar. It set Thundercracker on edge. Judging by the tension humming in the air and the flexing of Starscream's claws, ka felt it too.

"Valued in what way?" Thundercracker asked.

"Only Fourth Roles can be Winglord in the Reconian flock," Lightframe said. "The others are too limited."

It was like Thrust's trine discussing Claws as Winglord but even weirder, somehow. Why couldn't Seekers just be the way they were? Having a name for Fourth Roles made sense. It was a lot nicer than 'nontraditional,' at least. But why hold Fourth Roles above the others? Every Seeker was capable of doing anything the others could do. It wasn't roles that constrained leadership, it was attitudes.

"I… see," Thundercracker said.

If he agreed, maybe Lightframe would just drop it. And drop it they did. After a few moments, quiet fell over the group, and Thundercracker returned to his meal. His fuel gauge had been complaining. It was nice to finally silence it.

When the litter was born, what would they look like? They would be a mix of all three of them, wouldn't they? A seekerling with Skywarp's dark gray and Starscream's magenta would be cute…

Where was Skywarp? Starscream had sent messages. Skywarp had to have seen them. So why hadn't wa returned? Was wa still that upset? Thundercracker forced himself to calm. It didn't work. What if Skywarp left? What if wa didn't ever want to come back?

Skywarp was the first Seeker Thundercracker got to know. Wa offered him help when others wouldn't. Wa explained everything to him. But wa also hurt Starscream and tried to hide it from him. Thundercracker could make all of the excuses he wanted. He knew there was no justifying what Skywarp did.

But he was selfish. He didn't want to lose wan. Starscream didn't seem to hate wan for it. Ka still stayed. Ka pushed back. So maybe it was okay enough. A novelty, a freak, and a reject—they were never going to be a perfect trine. What mattered was that they worked it out.

Thundercracker finished his meal and rose, prepared to go find Skywarp. Hands seized him. He let out a surprised hiss.

"Don't!" Skywarp whispered directly into his audial. "We need to leave! Right now!"

What?

A small part of Thundercracker was relieved. Skywarp was back! But the rest of him focused on the circumstance. Fear turned the air cold and biting. Something was wrong.

"What happened?" He said.

"Autobots!" Skywarp said. "They're here. I saw them! We have to go!"

In terms of ground travel, they were far from Iacon, (flight was a whole other question) but Thundercracker couldn't rule out the possibility of a base nearby. Though, none of the Seekers here were injured, so the Reconian flock hadn't encountered these Autobots recently. Could they have been passing through?

"How many?" Thundercracker said.

"Too many," Skywarp said. "They're close and only getting closer. They could be looking for Seekers. We need to leave."

The last time they encountered Autobots like this, it was when they invaded their camp and attempted to capture them. Could these Autobots be trying to do the same thing? Anxiety coursed through Thundercracker's fuel lines. Even if they left, the Reconians wouldn't be safe. They couldn't just leave them to get captured and killed.

"Lightframe—" Thundercracker froze, the optics staring back at him burning holes into his plating.

"I heard," Lightframe said. "You brought danger with you, just as I said you would."

"It's not kas fault!" Starscream hissed.

Was it? Thundercracker thought the Autobots were tracking him before, but he couldn't prove it. Now, Autobots were in Reconian territory the cycle after he arrived. It could be a coincidence, but in his spark, Thundercracker couldn't believe that.

"We'll leave," Thundercracker said. It was all they could do. "You should, too."

Lightframe's optics narrowed. "This is our home. It's you they're here for, bot-raised."

Thundercracker didn't doubt that, but he also didn't doubt that the Autobots would take any Seekers they found. If this group was anything like Sentinel's—or if they were Sentinel's—then no mercy would be shown. Fighting not to flare his plating or bare his dentae, Thundercracker stepped toward Lightframe. A hand on his shoulder stopped him.

Skywarp stared at him pleadingly. Ahead of wan, Starscream flicked kas helm toward the sky.

[{ID:STSC} Just go. You're not going to convince them quickly enough.]

Thundercracker hesitated. Claws wrapped around his arm as the world contorted. In the place of the ruined city was an open field. He turned back. Behind them, the city's broken buildings stretched to the sky.

"Skywarp—" he said.

"I know," Skywarp said. "But we can't. We have to go."

Skywarp was right. They couldn't stay. They had a mission to complete. But Thundercracker's spark ached knowing that the Reconians could be in danger, even if Lightframe blamed them for what was happening. Thundercracker nodded. Skywarp's plating relaxed as relief flooded the air. But it quickly disappeared as both of them picked up on a low-pitched droning noise.

Comm frequencies. Thundercracker froze. The Autobots were nearby. If they took off now, they would be seen. Skywarp grabbed him and teleported again. They were in the cover of trees. But now, the frequency was louder.

Spark turning faster, Thundercracker backed further into the woods. If they couldn't fly away, they needed cover. The Autobots couldn't find them. They couldn't. If they did, then…

Thundercracker brought a hand to his chest. He couldn't think about that. Not now. But the idea refused to leave him.

Hadn't he killed his first seekerling because it wasn't safe for them to be born? Was it any safer now? But the litter was already so much farther along, and he told himself he'd keep this one. Would he get the chance to? What if they died now? Would he give birth to dead seekerlings?

Pedesteps thudded through the forest. Thundercracker was pulled low. An arm rested on his back, just above his wings. Skywarp stared at him, concern on the air. Just ahead, Starscream crouched, kas dentae bared.

Thundercracker's claws dug into his chestplates. His spark wouldn't still. It was vivid in his mind—his cockpit opening, lifeless and half-formed seekerlings emerging, their internals unsealed, just like… he remembered that cycle. How could Thrust have lost so many and still kept trying? The seekerling was cold and limp. Its metal tasted like any other.

'There's little difference between us and the petrorabbits we eat.'

If his litter died, Thundercracker would have to eat them. It was the respectful thing to do. Leaving a frame to rust was saying the life it housed was worthless even in death. He couldn't let that happen.

Plating came into view. Two mecha—red and blue. Familiar colors. Thundercracker's fuel lines froze. His frame burned. His spark kept turning. No, not him. But Thundercracker knew it was him. There was no way for him not to recognize Sentinel's voice, even as all of the sound around him became muffled and indistinct.

Sentinel kept walking, a frown on his face. He grunted as he pushed branches away from his helm. One swung back at him. He pulled out his sword and sliced it. The red mech from before—the one who had been astonished by Thundercracker speaking—trailed after him, one hand out to stop any branches from hitting his face.

Thundercracker scooted backward. They were too close. Much too close.

The red mech shifted. Thundercracker fought a whine. Optics drifted toward him. They met his.

If he died, then Starscream and Skywarp would have to eat both him and the seekerlings. If they died, he would have to eat them. He didn't know if he could do it. And if he had to flee, he would have to leave them behind. Then, there would be no retrieving them. They would be left to rust as if no one cared for them at all.

Or they could be captured. That thought was worse. Thundercracker may have been raised by Autobots, but they were kind Autobots. Sentinel was not kind. He didn't know what they wanted with Seekers, but it couldn't be anything good. What if they raised his seekerlings to be weapons, or experimented on them? Would they not be allowed to hunt or nest like him?

The red mech bit his lip. He looked toward Sentinel, who didn't even acknowledge him. His optics met Thundercracker's again. He nodded. Then, he turned away. Slowly, the pedesteps faded.

The three Seekers didn't move. There could be more. But as breems passed, there weren't. None of them stirred until the sun climbed below the sky. Thundercracker's joints ached from being locked in place for so long. Spark still spinning rapidly, he was the first to leap into the air, ignoring the warnings his fuel gauge generated as he pushed as much power into his thrusters as he could. He needed to get away.

He could never let them find him again. Otherwise, they would take his seekerlings. Or the ensuing struggle could kill them entirely. Either way, they would suffer. So would his trinemates. They had to get away.

Another low fuel complaint. He kept flying. He had to get away. Faster. Smoke from his seams. He didn't know where he was, but he knew it was in the direction of Iacon. Should he be heading toward what would be more enemies? Was it too late to turn back? He couldn't abandon Prowl. He kept flying. His plating shook with the force. Everything burned. He had to get away. He kept flying.

The air shifted around him. Skywarp flew close, nearly brushing against him. He slowed down to avoid hurting wan. Wa only came closer, gently guiding him toward the ground. Thundercracker landed. The moment he transformed, his joints went slack. He was caught in gentle, shaking arms.

"You're okay," Skywarp whispered. "We're… we're far enough now. They won't get us here."

Wa slowly lowered him to the ground, laying his helm in waz lap. Wa purred. It rumbled through Thundercracker's plating.

"They will," he said weakly, his voice filled with static.

They found them at the old camp. They would find them here. Maybe Skywarp was right before. They should have just fled and hidden somewhere to raise their seekerlings, far away from the Autobots and the war. But then what would happen to Prowl? To the flock?

Maybe it was selfish to have a litter now. But Thundercracker wanted them. His spark hurt at the contradiction. Skywarp gently guided him onto his side.

"Come on," wa said. "Open up your plating. You're—you're running hot."

"Bad loop," Starscream said.

Ka was on the other side of Skywarp. Thundercracker hadn't noticed kan before. He nodded. This was a bad loop. Knowing that didn't stop it.

"Stroke kas wing," Starscream said.

"I'm going to," Skywarp shot back, waz voice slightly sharper than it was moments before.

Claws rubbed Thundercracker's wing.

"Feel that?" Starscream said.

Thundercracker trilled an affirmative.

"Good," Starscream said. "Keep focusing on it. You need something else to occupy your processor or the loop will keep going."

Ka spoke like ka had experience. Ka had recognized it the first time it happened, too. But Thundercracker hadn't ever seen Starscream get caught in one like he had. Maybe that was what those moments ka sought him out and clung to him were about—attempting to keep kaz distracted so ka didn't get trapped in a loop.

Eventually, the spinning of Thundercracker's spark slowed. The world faded back into focus. There were no Autobot pedesteps, only the quiet chirps of cybirds and other small mechanimals. Tiredness crashed over Thundercracker. He closed his optics, but Skywarp shoved him upward.

Thundercracker let out a weary grumble, but quickly learned why: food. Suddenly awake, he ate quickly to silence the constant complaints of his fuel gauge. Then, fully fueled and tired beyond belief, he settled down. Skywarp laid beside him, waz arm laid protectively over his back. Ahead of them, Starscream sat, watching the sky.

!!!

Ka didn't sleep. It was safe, but the moment ka closed kas optics, it wouldn't be. Skywarp hadn't volunteered to take any watches. Wa didn't need to. Starscream was the Claw. It was kas responsibility to keep them safe. Besides, ka was the best one at it. They would probably miss something important because they weren't nearly as observant as ka was. No one else would need to keep watch as long as ka was awake.

Breems melded, the sky changing slowly over the course of it. Still no danger, but still Starscream kept watch. Close to when ka knew Skywarp would wake up, ka flew out. Catching a pair of retrorats was easy. Ka searched for other prey, but that proved much more difficult. It was fine.

Ka left the retrorats in front of them. Something in his abdomen twisted, bring it with it a sharp cramping, but ka ignored it. Ka was used to it once, ka would get used to it again. It was always something. Ka shook kas plating out and sat back down.

It was nice to sit. Kas helm didn't hurt, but it wasn't quite right today. Everything was just slightly off, like someone had bowled kan over but despite getting up, ka was still on the ground. Kas plating ached, simultaneously too tense and too relaxed. Though ka was tempted to curl up next to kas trinemates, ka resisted. Someone had to keep watch, and ka was the best at it there was.

Eventually, Skywarp stirred. Thundercracker remained asleep, but Starscream expected that. Ka had a difficult time the previous cycle. Bad loops were always tiring, and ka was carrying a litter on top of that. Starscream just hoped Skywarp wouldn't eat all of the prey.

Wa sat up. Waz optics met his. Starscream lowered kas wings. Skywarp was the Wing. Ka was the Claw. Ka was supposed to submit. Though what Skywarp wanted to accomplish with this, Starscream didn't know. Ka just knew Skywarp never looked kan in the optics without a reason.

"Why?" Skywarp said in waz sharp-and-familiar tone.

Wa asked that a lot. Starscream never knew what wa actually meant by that.

"Why what?" Starscream said.

Skywarp growled. There it was. Starscream supposed ka should have known why. Ka was only digging the burrow deeper. What had Megatron said, once? That ka insisted on insulting kan with every word?

"Why couldn't you just do your job?" Skywarp hissed.

Oh, it was one of those. Starscream readied kaz for the same set of arguments. If ka didn't know better, ka would assume Skywarp was picking fights on purpose. But that was what ka was doing. Ka was the one who caused the problems.

"I kept Thundercracker safe," Starscream said. "The Autobots didn't find us. We got away."

Skywarp rattled waz wings. Starscream didn't flinch. To the contrary, ka sat tall, maintaining eye contact—a silent challenge.

"I'm not talking about that!" Skywarp spat. "We wouldn't be here if you hadn't failed! Na was supposed to stay home, where it's safe!"

Ah. It was about going on this journey at all. Alright. Starscream held kas wings in neutral position. It took effort, but ka wasn't afraid. Ka dug kas shaking claws into the ground.

"Safe doesn't exist," ka said. "Thundercracker was never going to stay."

It would have been so much easier if ka had. Then, ka would be with the flock, kas seekerlings protected by more than just two Seekers. Despite Starscream's immense skills, an entire flock was much better protection than just the two of them. If ka sent Starscream out alone, then Starscream could evade the Autobots easily. It would have been simpler.

But Thundercracker was never simple. Thundercracker didn't do things by halves. Ka poured kas entire spark into whatever task ka set out to accomplish. It was something they shared.

"You could've tried harder," Skywarp said. "You barely made an attempt. I did most of the talking."

"If you think we could've convinced Thundercracker not to go, you don't know kan very well," Starscream said.

Skywarp bared waz dentae. Hot anger flooded the air. Starscream's claws dug deeper. Ka wasn't afraid. Despite the shaking of kas limbs and the rapid turning of kas spark, ka wasn't afraid. Skywarp was pathetic, and throwing a tantrum like a seekerling. And this was kas fault, anyway. Starscream challenged wan.

"Thundercracker agreed to trine with me before ka ever thought about you!" Skywarp growled. "I mean more to Thundercracker than you ever will!"

Starscream didn't care what ka meant to Thundercracker. Skywarp seemed obsessed with it. Wa stared at Thundercracker as if ka were the only real thing in the world. Starscream could never depend on someone like that. It just wasn't in kas nature.

But ka gave in and dug the burrow deeper.

"Except ka never told you ka got rid of kas first seekerling," Starscream said.

Skywarp's claws flexed. Starscream knew ka struck a nerve. That was what ka told Skywarp on the cycle that Thundercracker cast kan out. Ka couldn't take the endless blaming and swatting, and in a moment of weakness, struck back. Claws weren't supposed to do that.

So what if it happened again? Starscream's spark hurt from how intensely it was spinning. So what?

"Ka never told you ka isn't just a Spark," Starscream said. "Ka only told me. And now ka told me that ka still feels that way."

Skywarp's wings flicked. Waz optics widened. Then, ka growled, lips forming a scowl.

"That's why you're referring to nam that way," Skywarp said.

Starscream probably should've thought twice about revealing this. Others must have known—Thundercracker mentioned other mecha in the flock being like them—but not everyone did, and especially not Skywarp. Thundercracker could be angry with kan later. Starscream dug kas claws further into the ground. So what?

"Yes," Starscream said. "Ka is a Claw and Wing, too. Ka asked me to call kan a Claw. Ka didn't ask you. Thundercracker trusts me."

Ka knew it was a low blow. Anger burned the air. Kas plating trembled, but ka wasn't afraid. So what if it happened again? Starscream brought it upon kaz. Ka was picking a fight. Ka was making Skywarp angry on purpose.

(Or maybe it was just that being in control was better than the alternative. That Thundercracker was right—Skywarp was hurting kan for the sake of hurting kan. That Starscream somehow wasn't bad despite failing at everything.)

Starscream's back smashed against the ground, kas wings curling painfully beneath kan. A surprised squawk escaped kan. Ka had expected retaliation, so why was this so shocking?

Limpness invaded kas limbs, freezing kan in place. It wasn't intentional. It never was. But it was inescapable and had been for as long as ka could remember. Only anger could let ka power through it, but right now, ka wasn't angry. Skywarp's claws dug into kas chest and squeezed.

Starscream couldn't speak. Starscream couldn't move. All ka could do was lay still as ka was crushed, crushed, crushed. An embarrassingly seekerling-like wail rose from kas vocalizer. There was no escape, only a pathetic little seekerling crying for creators that were long dead.

The pressure lifted. Starscream crawled backward. Gentle hands pulled kan close. Ka leaned into the chest of the Seeker that grabbed him. Their spark pulse was familiar. Other, smaller sparks pulsed alongside it. Starscream purred to kaz, focusing only on the spark pulses.

"That's right." Thundercracker's voice was soft in his audials. "You're okay."

Starscream trilled quietly. Thundercracker was awake! Thundercracker was holding kan! Wait…

Starscream pushed kaz away. Thundercracker let kan go with a surprised noise. Scooting kaz in front of the retrorats, Starscream chirped.

"Oh," Thundercracker said, sitting beside kan. "Thank you."

Ka looked between the retrorats and Starscream and Skywarp. Hesitantly, Skywarp joined them. But Thundercracker still didn't eat. Why wasn't ka eating? Surely, ka was hungry by now? Starscream caught those just for kan.

"You were fighting again," Thundercracker said.

Skywarp lowered waz helm and Wings. "I'm sorry—"

"It was me," Starscream said, the words exiting kas vocalizer with all the grace of sandpaper against metal. It was always hard to speak when kas helm was fuzzy like this. "I goaded Skywarp. I've been antagonizing wan the whole time."

Thundercracker frowned. "The whole time? Even when I walked in on wan pinning you?"

"The whole time," Starscream said.

Thundercracker flicked kas wings.

"I don't believe you," ka said.

Ka wasn't supposed to say that! Starscream flexed kas claws.

"It's true," Starscream lied. "I've been doing it on purpose. I wanted Skywarp to attack me. I've been manipulating both of you."

Skywarp stared at kan, optics wide. Thundercracker remained stoic. Why wasn't ka getting angry? That was what was supposed to happen. And then Thundercracker would go back to being close with Skywarp, and Starscream would…

Starscream had no idea what ka would do, actually.

"You haven't," Thundercracker said.

"I have!" Starscream hissed. "And now I've done so well that you refuse not to fall for it—"

Ka cut kaz off as Thundercracker reached across, resting a hand on kas shoulder.

"I'm not falling for anything," Thundercracker said. "What is this about? I mean, what is it really about? Because you only just started lying to me now."

Starscream didn't know. But there had to be a reason for all of this, and wasn't it better if that reason was kan? If it was kas fault all along, just like it was with Megatron? Wouldn't it be nicer if Thundercracker went back to looking at Skywarp the way Skywarp looked at Thundercracker?

Starscream looked away. The retrorats sat om the ground, yet to be touched.

"You should eat," Starscream said.

Thundercracker sighed. The conversation died as ka began picking the retrorats apart. Skywarp quickly joined kan, but Starscream hesitated, the emptiness of kas cockpit growing more pronounced with each bite the others took. When they fled, they were eating. Starscream didn't have time to put kas medicine away.

Without the medicine, kas systems couldn't process food. It would hurt, and ka didn't want to hurt. They would be forced to take breaks for kan when kas systems finally rejected what it couldn't handle, which would slow them down. It was better not to, especially since kas fuel levels weren't that low.

Starscream's hands were grabbed. A scute of plating was placed in them. Ka shoved the piece back into Thundercracker's hands. It would just make kan feel like slag later, but ka couldn't tell Thundercracker that. There wasn't anything they could do about it, so all it would do is make Thundercracker upset. Besides, ka needed the meal more than Starscream.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Thundercracker said.

"I caught something when I was out," Starscream said.

Thundercracker's brow furrowed, but ka didn't comment. Starscream considered it a win. Eventually, kas trinemates ate their fill, and they were off again. When they landed to eat again later, Starscream's fuel gauge was too low to ignore. Unfortunately, the catch of the breem was petrorabbits, which lacked the solvents he needed, so he couldn't drink from their tanks.

At least it was close to sunset. They would be settling down soon. If Starscream ate now, then maybe ka could hold out until they were asleep. Then, ka could sneak out. No one would be slowed down that way, and no one would have to know. So, ka did exactly that, ignoring the cramping of kas internals until Thundercracker and Skywarp fell into recharge.

But after returning from yet another embarrassing bout, barely able to close kas optics between them, a deep, stabbing pain stopped Starscream. Ka sank to the ground, curling up, and stifled a whine. It was pitiful. The pain deepened, and ka couldn't stop the whine that time. Had it really been this bad before? Ka had the medicine for so long that ka must've forgotten how much it hurt.

A voice made kan flinch. Before ka could stop it, ka chirped. Something rustled nearby. Ka chirped again.

"That really sounds like—"

The voice stopped. Yellow optics shone in the dark, framed by pale purple plating. Starscream tried to silence kaz, but another chirp slipped out. It was pitiful—a long-grown seekerling calling for creators it would never see again and hadn't seen in decavorns.

"Oh," Skywarp said. "That's you?"

Starscream chirped again. Skywarp carefully dislodged waz from Thundercracker's grip and crawled closer. Scrambling backward, Starscream's chirps escalated into alarmed peeps. Anyone but wan!

Kas back hit a tree. Ka peeped louder. Skywarp reached out.

"Not so loud," wa said. "Thundercracker is still asleep."

Right. Starscream tried to stop, but ka couldn't. It hurt so much.

"Hey," Skywarp said. Wa rested a Claw on Starscream's olfactory ridge. "You've gotta calm down. What's going on?"

Ka tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Ka didn't expect them to. When things were like this, talking rarely worked. Sunstorm used to get angry with kan over it. Na assumed Starscream was doing it on purpose, but ka wasn't.

"Scrap," Skywarp mumbled.

Wa reached down, pulling Starscream toward them. Starscream peeped in alarm, but wa ignored it. Wa squeezed kan against wan. Starscream's cries quieted. The pressure was soothing, and ka was desperate. Ka squirmed, pulling kas arms free so ka could return the embrace.

"Aww," Skywarp said. Wa closed waz optics. "I… I'm sorry. I mean it this time. You're—Thundercracker said you were different. I see it now. You're afraid, just like me."

Skywarp shifted Starscream to waz side. Wa opened waz cockpit, pulling out a small, thin object. Starscream's optics followed it. A pain patch. Where did wa get that?

"You're hurting, right?" Skywarp said. Starscream nodded. "Okay, okay. Alright. Deftclaw gave these to me because na couldn't find you before we left."

Deftclaw. That stubborn scrapheap. Starscream should've known he would do something like that. Skywarp applied the patch. The pain lessened, but didn't go away. Some of the fog over Starscream's mind cleared.

Was it more awkward to pull away and pretend nothing happened or to stay in Skywarp's arms?

"Thanks," Starscream said, voice cracking.

"Don't mention it," Skywarp said. Wa stared off into the trees. "I… I need to get better. Thundercracker is right. I'm just scared, and angry, and… I can't keep hurting you. You're a good Claw, and you're good for Thundercracker. You support nam in ways I can't."

Starscream was numb. This was the proof ka needed that this wasn't kas fault, wasn't it?

"You're right that we're not safe," Starscream said. "We'll never be safe."

Skywarp ran waz hand down Starscream's back absentmindedly. "I guess…"

Safety only happened in small moments like this. It wasn't something to be sustained—only stolen.

"I actually, uh—" Skywarp opened waz cockpit again and pulled out a jar. "Have something for you. Deftclaw also gave me this. I have no idea what it is."

Starscream took the jar. It had a tamper-proof lid. He broke the seal. Inside were small capsules. Starscream laughed.

"That old scrapheap!" Ka said fondly.

Deftclaw had asked kan some very pointed questions leading up to when they left. Starscream suspected he was attempting to create his own version of the medicine, but ka hadn't expected it to be complete enough for kan to try. At least ka wouldn't have to worry about being out of medicine anymore.

Sinking further into Skywarp, Starscream purred in contentment.

The forest was pleasantly loud when Thundercracker woke. Cybirds chirped. Leaves rustled in the wind. He soaked in the sounds. As he stretched, a realization hit him: the area to one side of him was empty. One of his trinemates was missing.

He rolled over. Magenta plating caught his optics. Starscream laid next to him, body sitting unevenly as if ka was on top of… oh. Beneath kan was Skywarp, waz arms wrapped around kan. It was something Thundercracker never expected to see, but he could only hope that meant they were getting along.

His fuel gauge sent him an alert. Careful not to disturb Starscream and Skywarp, he rose. He wouldn't go far. Still, each step away from his trinemates was a struggle. His claws came to his chest. He shouldn't be alone. But wouldn't it be nice to surprise his trinemates with a meal the same way they liked to surprise him?

The hunt was quick and easy, but carrying the carcass back left Thundercracker wanting to lay down. By the time he got back, Skywarp and Starscream were awake, wide-opticed as they searched for him. Relief flooded the air, then they helped him place the turbofox he caught on the ground.

As they ate, Starscream nuzzled Skywarp. Thundercracker's spark warmed. Whatever happened last night, the rift between them had finally closed. He could only hope it didn't open again.

Thundercracker knew Skywarp and Starscream didn't like each other. It was no secret. They trined him, not each other, no matter how much he wished they got along. He loved both of them, and it hurt to see them fight. But maybe now they could be what Thundercracker thought a trine was supposed to be.

He rested a hand on his chest again. Three little sparks buzzed under his palm.

!!!

The rest of the trip was largely uneventful. Thundercracker could help thinking of the Reconian flock. Had Sentinel and his Autobots found them? If they had, had they escaped? There was no way of knowing. As if sensing his thoughts, Skywarp and Starscream always got snuggly when his mind wandered toward what may have happened. So it was no surprise when Skywarp nuzzled his shoulder, and Starscream nudged him with a quiet trill.

This close to Iacon, a Seeker in the air would draw attention, so they were forced to walk. Skywarp had complained at first, and Starscream had grumbled, but both understood the importance of not being caught. In typical fashion, Starscream went quiet as the city appeared on the horizon. Kas optics kept tracing the distant towers. Anxiety buzzed softly on the air, and Thundercracker knew he was making his own contribution to it.

Proudly ahead sat the walls that protected Iacon, pristine in their glory—an artificially spotless white that made Thundercracker wonder if the guards were forced to clean them. The nonsensically bright color was a show of power. Since the Quintesson War, no one and nothing had attempted to attack Iacon. He hoped they wouldn't be the first to break that streak.

They could fly in, but the snipers lined along the walls dissuaded them. It was said that Iacon was the only city without any of the the typical and long-disliked cyberdoves—any that attempted to fly in were shot on sight. Seekers were much larger than cyberdoves, so they would definitely be spotted. But they couldn't travel by land, either. The guards at the entrance points required all mecha to transform as part of their security check. Even if they could pretend not to be Seekers, it would fall apart the moment they were asked to transform.

"What now?" Skywarp asked, optics glued on the guards that stood at the entrance ahead of them, blasters clipped to their sides.

They wanted Seekers alive. Thundercracker didn't know what for, but if they surrendered peacefully, they might not be killed. Then, the issue would be making their way to The Magnus. The Autobots would surely attempt to contain them.

The familiar rumble of an Autobot engine shook the ground. Thundercracker and his trinemates ducked as a group of Autobots rolled in. Familiar blue-and-yellow plating caught Thundercracker's optics, and he muffled a growl. Sentinel stood, grinning widely. Held in his hands were chains. Thundercracker followed them.

His spark froze. No. Mottled dark green was stained with energeon. It leaked most from their wings, one of which had been pierced straight through. Lightframe's wings and helm were low, their optics squeezed shut. But it was just them. Somehow, the rest of the Reconian flock had escaped.

Thundercracker was stepping forward before he could think. Behind him, Starscream and Skywarp chirped in alarm. Sentinel turned toward them, brow furrowing before his grin widened.

"What do we have here?" He said.

The guards followed his gaze. The closest one moved to pull out their gun, but he waved them away. Hesitantly, they clipped it back at their side.

"Let them go," Thundercracker said.

"I was told to collect Seekers," Sentinel said. "If I let this one go, how do you think The Magnus will feel about me returning empty-handed?"

Thundercracker growled. The Autobots surrounding Sentinel flinched, but he only continued to smile.

"So," he said. "You see, I can't let this one go unless—"

"Take me!" Thundercracker said.

They needed to get into Iacon somehow. But Thundercracker knew he was justifying the choice he already made. He couldn't let them have Lightframe. They may not have gotten along, but Lightframe didn't deserve this.

Sentinel hummed. His optics narrowed, scrutinizing Thundercracker. Then, he shrugged.

"Why not?" He said. "You're a much more valuable prize."

Behind Thundercracker, Skywarp hissed. Sentinel raised an arm, beckoning Thundercracker forward. After one last glance at his trinemates, Thundercracker stepped forward. Sentinel's Autobots surrounded him, chains in hand.

"Now let them go," Thundercracker said, baring his dentae.

Sentinel motioned with his hands. Chains brushed against Thundercracker's wings. He turned claws ready to strike. Before he could attack, chains pulled his wrists downward. With a yowling hiss and the roar of thrusters, the chains slackened.

Starscream ripped through the Autobots, a furious magenta blur. Skywarp did the same, reappearing and disappearing across the crowd. But the fight died as quickly as it started—the guards joined in, searing the Seekers' plating with laserfire. More chains wrapped around Thundercracker, and as he attempted to wriggle out of them, horror washed over his spark.

Starscream was pushed into the ground, an Autobot standing on kas back. Chains held kas wings, preventing any chance of flight. A short distance away, Skywarp wrestled with an Autobot. Thundercracker's spark was breaking, but he knew what he had to do.

[{ID:THCR] Skywarp!]

Skywarp kicked the Autobot down and glanced toward Thundercracker.

[{ID:SKWP] hold on!]

[{ID:THCR} No. Take Lightframe and run.]

Air whooshed beside him. Claws wrapped themselves around the chains that held him, pulling. Thundercracker pushed them off with a hiss.

"Go!" He yelled in Vosian, knowing the Autobots would hear nothing. "Take Lightframe back to the Reconians!"

Skywarp reached out, desperation on the air. "I can't—"

"Yes, you can!" Thundercracker said. "You're the only one of us who's free. Do you remember what Starscream said about sending that message?"

Skywarp's optics widened.

"Bounce it," Wa said.

Then, wa disappeared. With a few powerful whooshes of air and startled cries of Autobots, Skywarp and Lightframe were gone. Thundercracker smiled. As long as they made it back, everything would work out. It wasn't what he planned, but there was no plan that survived something like this.

A powerful force hit Thundercracker's back as he was forced to the ground, a frustrated yell assaulting his audials. Gleaming in the light, a sword came down next to his helm. Thundercracker rolled onto his side.

"You ornery mechanimals!" Sentinel spat. "I'm glad we're getting rid of you!"

With a wave of his hand, the Autobots moved forward. Starscream and Thundercracker were pulled along. Anger simmered on the air, not just from Sentinel, but Starscream as well. Ka growled, tugging at kas chains, but the Autobots ignored kan. They stopped before the entrance. The guards shuffled nervously.

"No one will speak a word of this," Sentinel said. "Or The Magnus himself will have your helms."

The guards nodded frantically. One held a hand to the side of their helm as they sent a message, and after a moment, the walls slid open. As the Seekers were forced through, Sentinel turned back, glaring at Thundercracker.

"That goes for you as well," he said. "One word before we reach The Magnus, and you die."

Thundercracker huffed. Sentinel must have taken that as assent, because as they traversed the city, he didn't look back. They boarded a transport, sitting in dark silence until it eventually rolled to a stop. Thundercracker's spark hummed, turning quickly. This was it.

They exited the transport into a tunnel. Starscream hung as close to Thundercracker as the Autobots allowed. Leaning over, Thundercracker attempted to nuzzle kan, but it was stymied by an inability to reach. After a quick twitch of kas wings—the chains rattling as they forced them back into place—Starscream leaned forward and returned the gesture. Their helms met with a quiet clang.

Ka was purring in the way Thundercracker knew well by now. He wished he could shed these chains so he could pull kan to his chest and hold kan until the purrs eased. The Autobots yanked them apart. Thundercracker hissed as the chains dug into his plating.

Whatever way they were being taken, it was secluded. Few Autobots were in the tunnels, and even fewer looked their way. Those that did stared warily. They passed another checkpoint. Thundercracker paid little attention to it.

They exited the tunnels into a dim building. Its walls and ceiling were the same color. Only an energeon blue carpet broke the swath of gray up, giving the gruesome impression of a murder. Starscream hesitated to step on it, protesting with a growl as ka was yanked. Clearly, ka thought the same thing Thundercracker did.

Ahead sat a large door. The access panel was one Thundercracker had never seen before. Sentinel placed his hand on it. It beeped.

"State your identity and reasoning," the panel said.

Sentinel rattled off a long identifier, then finished with, "I have the one he's been looking for."

The panel beeped. With the grinding of stone, the door slid open. Ahead was a throne equally as drab as everything else in the building. Upon it sat a mech that contrasted his surroundings—a deep, brilliant blue standing out among all of the grays. Held in his hand was gemstone-embedded glass, which he brought to his lips to sip from. The energeon inside was the bright pink that indicated a high-quality, expensive brew. Pale blue optics stared down at the group, his shadow bathing them in darkness. For an Autobot, this mech was massive.

The doors slid shut.

"I require proof," the mech said.

His voice echoed through the room, killing all other sound. Sentinel knelt.

"And proof I shall provide," Sentinel said. He turned back toward Thundercracker. "Speak."

Thundercracker was tempted to disobey if only to spite Sentinel. But if this was who he thought it was, he wouldn't gain anything by doing that.

"Great Magnus," Thundercracker said. "There's something we need to discuss—"

"There surely is," The Magnus said. "You do speak, beast. That is a problem."

Thundercracker's brow furrowed. "A problem?"

The Magnus scoffed.

"I cannot have you running around and speaking," The Magnus said. "What would the public think?"

"The… public?"

"Yes," The Magnus said. "The public. If they find out you can speak, they may wonder whether you can think, and then they will start asking if this war should continue."

But that was a good thing!

"The war shouldn't," Thundercracker said. "It needs to end—"

"And then what?" The Magnus said. "I have united my people. Under me, there is no squabbling. Without an enemy, we will go back to fighting each other."

What about Wheeljack? Both Arcee and Thundercracker went to Wheeljack for help. Wheeljack was happy to offer it. They didn't seem like the type to go to war simply because they ran out of enemies.

And wasn't that what the Autobots accused the Seekers of? Attempting to wage endless war, jumping from enemy to enemy?

"You won't," Thundercracker said.

"War is inevitable," The Magnus said. "Something needs to keep the public in line. Something needs to keep the factory workers employed."

"It's immoral—"

The Magnus raised his hand. "If you are monstrous mechanimals intending to destroy the world, it isn't."

Anger rose in Thundercracker's spark.

"We aren't!" He yelled, hissing in pain as his wings attempted to flare and were stopped by the chains.

The Magnus smiled. "And who says that, hm?"

"I do," Thundercracker said.

The Magnus frowned. His optics drifted toward Starscream. Ka bared kas dentae, growling quietly.

"Tell me," The Magnus said. "Are there any other Seekers like you? Or are you the only one with the gift of speech?"

Thundercracker glanced at Starscream.

[{ID:STSC} Don't.]

"I am," Thundercracker lied. "There are no others like me."

The Magnus hummed. He leaned back in his throne.

"Interesting," he said. "Very interesting. It's a shame no one will be hearing from you."

That was all the warning Thundercracker received before everything went dark.

!!!

Everything was fuzzy. Thundercracker couldn't see.

"Well, what's wrong? Debarking a mutt can't be that difficult!"

Thundercracker growled. Sentinel!

"We can't take it down, sir! It's—"

"It's what?"

Thundercracker's limbs wouldn't move. He tried speak, but all that emerged was a tired rumble.

"Do it without the anesthesia, then. Not like this flying turborat will know the difference. Contact The Magnus. Let him know his pet has brought a few… surprises."

Pain seared Thundercracker's throat. He tried to scream, but it only hurt more. Everything faded away.

!!!

The cell was as gray as everything else in the building, not that Thundercracker expected it to be any different. His throat was numb, his limbs heavy. Just sitting up made him dizzy. A flash of plating caught his optics. He attempted to stand, but his limbs wobbled and the room tilted. So, he settled for crawling toward it.

A turborat laid at the front of the cell. Its helm was cleanly severed from its body. Thundercracker's fuel gauge sent him an alert. Unable to resist, he tore into it. In his uncoordinated frenzy, energeon leaked onto his plating, but he didn't care. He was so hungry.

His throat ached. He did a lot of yelling before they put him in here. Maybe that was why?

"Thundercracker?"

Thundercracker scrambled backward, dropping the remainder of the turborat with a wet clank. Then, the voice registered. Thundercracker searched for the source, throwing himself at the wall. Prowl! Thundercracker opened his mouth to yell.

No sound came. His throat burned. Thundercracker brought a hand up to touch it, immediately pulling it away as what it brushed against wasn't the smooth metal it was supposed to be. He scrambled backward, panic building in his spark. His plating tightened, pulling on the patch that now covered his throat. He clawed at it.

"Thundercracker!"

They couldn't have. But they had, hadn't they? How was he supposed to… he didn't even know. He didn't know at all. Everything had gone to slag. It was all slag. Everything was slag.

"Thundercracker, listen to me!"

Thundercracker's claws fell from his neck to his chest. Three sparks buzzed under his palm. He forced himself up, leaning against the wall that separated him from Prowl.

"I know what they did to you," Prowl said. "I saw it when they brought you in. I'm so sorry."

Thundercracker wanted to reply, but he couldn't. He wanted to dig through the wall and crawl into Prowl's lap. He wanted to be held. Silently keening even though it hurt his throat, Thundercracker clawed uselessly at the wall.

"It hurts," Prowl said. "I know. I'm here, Thundercracker. I'm here."

The bars of Prowl's cage rattled as something slammed into them.

"Shut up, prisoner!" A voice yelled.

Prowl went quiet. Thundercracker stayed pressed against the wall, staring blankly ahead. Something in the cell across from him shifted. Magenta plating came into view as Starscream struggled to kas knees. Ka held out kas arms in the signature position of a Seeker preparing to fire their rays, aiming them at the bars—but there were no rays. When nothing happened, Starscream's claws jumped to where kas rays were supposed to be. There were small gaps at the edges of kas wings where the hilts of kas swords normally rested.

Thundercracker attempted to call out again, flinching as a wave of pain crashed over his throat. He crawled toward the front of his cell and tapped his claws against the bars. Starscream's helm swiveled toward the noise. Kas wings rose. With an ungraceful leap, ka was reaching through the bars, whining softly. After a few moments of struggle, ka slid back down to the floor, staring at Thundercracker with a furrowed brow.

"What did they do to you?" Ka asked.

Thundercracker tried to speak on impulse and gained a pained wince for his efforts. Then, he remembered the trinelink.

[{ID:THCR} I think they took my vocalizer. It hurts.]

Starscream threw kaz at the bars with a growl, eliciting another angry shout from the guard.

[{ID:STSC} Those scrapheaps! I'll tear them apart!]

!!!

Pedesteps became a background noise. Starscream paced incessantly, wings flared and dentae bared. Thundercracker sat against the wall, optics closed and a hand on his chest, feeling his newsparks beneath it. On the other side of him, Prowl was silent, but the occasional shuffle told him his creator was still there. The cell on the far side also made the occasional noise. Thundercracker hoped it was Optimus, since they seemed to be keeping them all together. But for obvious reasons, he couldn't ask.

All of the guards so far were cruel strangers. From one shift to the next, not a single guard repeated. Meals were dropped into their cells twice a cycle, but thrice for Thundercracker. He was still hungry.

Another set of pedesteps down the corridor. Thundercracker sighed, opening his optics. Another shift change. But something gave him pause.

That red plating was familiar. The guard was large—for an Autobot, at least, though not as large as The Magnus—but shrank in on himself. With a quiet, accented voice, he relieved the other guard from duty. Thundercracker pushed himself onto his knees and stared. Slowly, the pieces came together. It was one of Sentinel's mecha—the one that hesitated after he spoke to him.

"Ironhide," Prowl said.

Ironhide startled slightly, but quickly caught himself.

"Oh!" He said. "How d'ya do, Prowl?"

"I thought I wouldn't see you again," Prowl said.

Ironhide rubber the back of his helm sheepishly.

"Well, uh," he said. "The boss wanted me on a mission or two. They needed some strength, they said."

Thundercracker would've liked to know how they knew each other. But again, he couldn't ask. Maybe they'd met before all of this, or maybe Ironhide had guarded this prison before. The latter seemed more likely, though he would be the first repeat guard Thundercracker knew of.

Not that he would know if the other guards actually repeated or not. It had only been about an orn, assuming his chronometer was correct without the sun to guide it.

"Can you do me a favor?" Prowl said.

Ironhide shook his helm. "No can do, Prowl. You're a prisoner. I can't be doing favors for prisoners."

"It's about the Seekers," Prowl said. "The Magnus wants them alive, correct?"

"Well, yes…"

"Seekers are social creatures. That magenta one right there is Thundercracker's bonded. They can't be kept apart."

Ironhide's brow wrinkled. "Bonded? Well, that's just..."

He looked between the two cells.

"Please," Prowl said. "Seekers need contact with other Seekers. Especially if they're bonded."

"I—" Ironhide looked between the cells again. "Aw, heck."

He walked toward Thundercracker's cell, his hand hovering over the access pad.

"Promise not to try n' escape, you hear?" He said.

Thundercracker nodded.

"That goes for your friend, too," Ironhide said.

Starscream wisely elected to growl kas affirmative.

The door slid open. Thundercracker sprinted out. Escape was far from his mind, even if this would have been a good opportunity. He needed Starscream. The moment the door to Starscream's cell slid open, he leaped through it, pouncing on his trinemate. The door slid shut before he could turn back around.

Ironhide stared down at them, a frown on his face. Then, he looked away, expression pained. Thundercracker wanted to thank him, but with no vocalizer, he couldn't even make a trill. He nuzzled Starscream, a purr starting up in his chest. At least he could do that without a vocalizer—part of the sound of purring came from the engine. Starscream nuzzled him back.

!!!

They stayed together from that point on. There were attempts to separate them at first, but they were quickly stopped as both of them fought back. Thundercracker already had to be without one trinemate. He wasn't going to let them take the other.

So, when after decacycles of them being allowed to stay together, Thundercracker was yanked out of the cell, what was he supposed to assume? He thrashed and snapped, but at this point, the Autobots had adapted. Hot prods threatened him into staying still as they placed chains on him. The only relief he had was that they were chaining Starscream up as well. Ka already had a few burns on kas side, courtesy of the prods. Still, ka thrashed, hissing and choking as the Autobots yanked kan by a pole attached to kas neck.

[{ID:THCR} You're going to hurt yourself. Already have, actually.]

"Don't give a scrap," Starscream hissed. "I'm not going wherever they're taking me."

The cell diagonal to theirs slid open. Prowl held his wrists out as they cuffed him.

[{ID:THCR} They're taking Prowl.]

They hadn't taken him before. Why now? Something must be different. Thundercracker searched the halls as they were forced through them. The room they finally entered was slightly less dull than the rest of the building—a stark white rather than a boring gray. A berth sat on one side of it, and terminals on the other. The walls were lined with cabinets.

There were two mecha in the room. The first had bright red plating with many angular accents. The second was broad and colorful. He lingered behind the red mech, watching as the Seekers were forced in.

The red mech stepped forward and gestured toward the door. "You can leave now."

The nearest guard hesitated. "Doctor, these aren't like the others. They're wild mechanimals—"

"They can't be any worse than you," the red mech said with a scoff. "Now, please—march those pedes out the door. If they decide to kill me, I'm certain you will hear my screams."

The guards exchanged glances. Slowly, they poured out the door. The Doctor strutted toward the entrance, shutting the door the moment they passed through it. He scoffed.

"Such brutes," he said.

The chains around Thundercracker's wings moved. He jumped, nearly bumping into the colorful mech. The colorful mech raised his hands, exposing his palms.

"It's alright," he said gently. "We aren't going to hurt you. It's just a checkup."

"They can't understand you," the Doctor said.

The colorful mech loosened the chains. They fell to the ground with a wave of clinks. Careful not to hit the colorful mech, Thundercracker took a step away from him and stretched his wings.

"They can understand tone," the colorful mech said. "And they can respond to commands. A study published the other orn found they might have the language capacity of a two vorn old sparkling."

"That's a few scattered words at best, then," The Doctor said. "Hardly a meaningful vocabulary."

[{ID:STSC} Condescending scrapheaps!]

Thundercracker shook out his plating, fighting the temptation to run his fingers down his throat, where the scar that replace this vocalizer laid.

[{ID:THCR} Don't let them know you understand. Don't even imply it. You know what they'll do.]

[{ID:STSC} I'm not stupid. I know what will happen.]

Still, anger emanated from Starscream. The Doctor glanced kas way, optics widening slightly, but didn't mention it. Soon, Starscream's chains were removed as well. Kas claws flexed. Thundercracker prepared himself to send a warning not to attack, but it wasn't needed—ka was at his side immediately, face buried in his side and arms wrapped protectively around him.

"Cute," The Doctor said.

Starscream growled. Thundercracker nipped at the edge of kas wings in a silent reprimand. Starscream huffed and nuzzled him.

"They're bonded," Prowl said.

Thundercracker almost forgot he was there. Unlike them, he was still bound.

The Doctor nodded. "I can see that."

He came closer. Thundercracker tried not to shy away. Starscream hissed. The Doctor rolled his optics.

"So we have a noisy one and…" His optics fell on Thundercracker's neck. "Oh. Well, that's unfortunate."

Thundercracker shook himself out again. The Doctor moved slowly, telegraphing his movements as he touched Thundercracker's plating, examining it. Thundercracker tolerated the poking and prodding up until The Doctor's fingers wandered toward his cockpit. The moment they brushed up against the glass, Thundercracker jolted backward, rattling his wings. He would've hissed, but…

The Doctor scoffed. "I'm not going to hurt you!"

Thundercracker took another step back. It didn't matter what The Doctor said. He didn't want him so close to where his litter was.

The colorful assistant laughed. "Now who's talking like they can understand?"

The Doctor glared weakly at him. Then, The Doctor waved his hand dismissively.

"Whatever," he said.

He took a step toward Thundercracker. Thundercracker took another step back, rattling his wings as they hit the wall. He bared his dentae and swiped at the air. Without a vocalizer, it was all the warning he could give.

"It really doesn't want you to do that," The Assistant said.

"I know," The Doctor said. "But I need to take a look at those seekerlings."

Thundercracker's spark spun faster. They knew. He already knew hiding it would be impossible, but he hoped he had a little longer than this.

"Seekerlings?" Prowl said.

"Yes," The Doctor said. "That one is carrying a litter. It's in its files."

Prowl's optics widened. Thundercracker pressed himself against the wall. He never planned how to tell Prowl. Now, he would never get to break the news himself. His limbs shook. Starscream wrapped kaz around him. The Doctor came close again. This time, Thundercracker didn't fight back.

The Doctor felt along the glass of his cockpit, then peered inside, scrutinizing its interior. Thundercracker closed his optics.

"The storage chamber is clear," The Doctor said. "They're a good size and unblemished. Breakdown, bring me the spark scanner."

The Assistant —Breakdown—handed the scanner over. As The Doctor activated it, Thundercracker forced himself to stay still. Even if he didn't trust the mech giving the exam, he hadn't received one since he left. He could feel the newsparks' sparks if he focused on it, so he knew they were strong, but it would be reassuring to have confirmation.

The scanner beeped. The Doctor read out the results. Breakdown typed them into one of the terminals.

"Overall," The Doctor said. "Three very healthy seekerlings."

Thundercracker fought a smile. If he did that, they'd know he could understand them. But his spark was warm at the confirmation that his litter was still okay despite everything.

The Doctor took an energeon sample and the exam concluded. The Doctor approached Starscream next. Ka hissed and swatted a him. Rolling his optics, The Doctor called for Breakdown to restrain kan. But Starscream refused.

[{ID:THCR} Just let them do it.]

Starscream glared at him as ka thrashed, slicing through the plating on Breakdown's arm. Breakdown released kan with a yelp.

[{ID:STSC} No.]

Any relief Thundercracker felt at learning about the state of his litter was squandered as apprehension grew in his chest. If they were willing to remove his vocalizer, what else would they remove? They already took their weapons. Starscream said ka knew the risks, but ka wasn't cooperating now.

Eventually, The Doctor managed to sneak up behind Starscream as ka wrestled with Breakdown. He jammed a syringe between the plating of Starscream's neck. Before ka could attempt to pry him off, whatever it was had already been injected. Breakdown and The Doctor backed off, lingering on the opposite side of the room. Prowl stared at Starscream, optics narrowed and brow furrowed.

Starscream pressed kaz against the wall and placed kaz beside Thundercracker. Ka rubber at kas neck.

"Scrapheaps!" Starscream hissed.

Over the course of a few kliks, ka slumped. Kas optics grew fuzzy and dull. Ka leaned into Thundercracker. Thundercracker placed an arm around kan to support kan.

[{ID:THCR} What was that?]

"Sedative," Starscream mumbled, voice slow and stuttering. "Scrapheaps..."

When The Doctor and Breakdown approached again, Starscream was too busy keeping kas balance to fight back. Ka hissed weakly as they examined kas plating and attempted to nip them when they checked kas dentae, but kas movements were too slow to actually catch them. Then, they opened kas cockpit. Ka squirmed, but couldn't get away.

"Thin, brittle plating," The Doctor said. "Potential seekerlinghood malnourishment. But the storage space is smooth. Still, probably not a breeder."

The air around Starscream stung weakly of fear and humiliation, likely dulled by the sedative. Thundercracker stroked kas helm. There wasn't much he could do.

The word breeder made his fuel lines grow cold. Was it naive to hope that was just the Autobot term for a Seeker that bore seekerlings? Thundercracker knew it probably was. The Autobots wanted Seekers alive, and a breeding program was a very clear reason for that.

The Doctor pulled something out of Starscream's cockpit. He scrutinized it. It was some sort of bottle. Thundercracker read the label. He didn't recognize the name.

"Interesting," The Doctor said.

He opened it. The seal was broken.

"Huh," The Doctor said.

Breakdown looked over.

"Did it steal it?" He asked.

The Doctor recapped the bottle. "It could have. But what would something like this be doing in its storage compartment?"

"What is it?" Prowl asked.

"An enzyme replacer," The Doctor said. "One specifically for mechanimals that eat other mechanimals. The kind you give to a cyberdog whose solvent tank doesn't produce enough solvent."

Prowl frowned. He glanced at Thundercracker and Starscream.

"I don't know why that would be in there," he said.

The Doctor shrugged and prepared a syringe. Starscream growled and backed away. Thundercracker grabbed kan, forcing kan to stay still as a sample was taken. Starscream hissed all the while.

"If these come back with normal values, they can be moved to the enclosure," The Doctor said. "The waste tests were surprisingly clean."

Enclosure? Did they have more Seekers somewhere? Aa much as Thundercracker wished it wasn't true, it seemed likely. That complicated things.

Starscream's medicine was returned. Ka growled sleepily, leaning heavily on Thundercracker and closing kas optics. It wasn't the powder Thundercracker remembered, but Ratchet would've had access to find or make an equivalent, so it wasn't surprising. But he didn't know what to make of the Autobots' reactions to it. So far, Starscream had hidden it so well that not even he had seen it.

They were rechained and led back to their cells. Prowl stayed behind. Anxiety made Thundercracker's wings twitch. He forced himself to focus on supporting Starscream, who was growing floppier by the moment. Whatever they gave kan, it was too much.

Thundercracker sat against the wall as the cell door closed. With a tired groan, Starscream fell into recharge with kas helm on his shoulder. But Thundercracker couldn't rest. There was too much left unanswered.

One of the answers he craved came in the form of a stern call urging him awake. Thundercracker sat up, nudging Starscream to do the same. Ka complained, but complied, somewhat wobbly. Whatever sedative they used was strong if it was lingering for so long. Or maybe Starscream lacked resistance. Either way, ka wasn't able to put up much of a fight as kan was shackled again. Thundercracker bared his dentae and rattled his wings, but didn't struggle.

His chronometer told him it had only been a few breems. The fuel line tests must have finished. They were led through the endless gray halls once again before eventually being shoved through two sets of doors. Dirt crunched beneath Thundercracker's pedes. Ahead, bare trees stretched to the ceiling, cut off at the top. On the walls were projections of the sky. Various false plants littered the ground.

Starscream stared at the imitation of a forest with wide optics. As the chains were removed, ka didn't stir. The door slid shut. Ka jumped.

[{ID:THCR} Starscream?]

Ka shook kas helm.

"No," ka said. "This isn't…"

Kas plating shook. Thundercracker stepped closer. Starscream flinched, then dove straight into Thundercracker, burying kas face in his chest. Wrapping his arms around kan, Thundercracker purred. Horror and revulsion made the air cold.

"This is what they think of us," Starscream said. "This is how they think we live."

Even if Thundercracker could speak, he wouldn't know what to say. His optics scanned the area, landing on a rather large rock. Gently, he guided Starscream toward it. They sat behind it, bathed in its shadow. Artificial clouds drifted across the sky-screen.

Thundercracker scooped up the dirt. After only a couple of handfuls, his claws met concrete. There would be no burrowing here. Starscream's optics followed his claws before ka whined and shoved kas face back into his plating.

"At least in the cells they weren't trying to pretend!" Starscream said.

Thundercracker nuzzled kan. They stayed behind the rock until the artificial sun set, the room dimming slowly and unnaturally. Eventually, they settled into a fitful sleep.

!!!

A claw poked Thundercracker's face. At first, he assumed it was Starscream, but ka laid beside him, unmoving. With a growl spinning from deep in his engine—the loud, imminently threatening kind was the only he could make without a vocalizer—Thundercracker rose and rattled his wings. But what greeted him wasn't the expected Autobot guard.

With a startled peep, a seekerling stared up at him. Va flared vas red and white plating, surprise making the air tingle and fear turning it cold. Thundercracker lowered his wings, but the damage had already been done. The seekerling fled, hiding behind a nearby fake tree trunk.

Thundercracker's first instinct was to coo at it. Unfortunately, that was physically impossible. So, he settled for lowering himself back to the ground and averting his gaze. Beside him, Starscream stirred with a quiet groan. Thundercracker reached over and turned kas helm in the direction of the seekerling. Starscream's optics narrowed. Then, ka trilled.

The seekerling peeked out from behind the fake tree. Starscream trilled again. Va peeped back. Once more, Starscream trilled. The seekerling approached.

"You're big," va said.

Starscream fluffed up kas plating like a preening cyberchicken. Thundercracker would've laughed if he still had his vocalizer.

"We are," Starscream said.

"They take big ones away," the seekerling said. "But they put you here."

Starscream glanced at Thundercracker.

"What does that mean?" Starscream said.

"They took Nimbus away when va got too big."

Thundercracker jumped as the voice of another seekerling came from behind them. The seekerling was halfway behind the rock, vas gray-blue plating nearly blending into it. If not for the brightness of vas optics, Thundercracker wouldn't have located vam at all.

[{ID:THCR} Nimbus?]

Starscream repeated Thundercracker's message.

"Va got big," the gray-blue seekerling said. "Almost as big as you. Va started acting funny and they took vam away."

"Funny how?" Starscream asked.

"Va kept calling out—" The gray-blue seekerling made trilling noise. "I can't make it but it was kinda like that. And va was really hurt but we couldn't see where. We thought the keepers took vam to fix vam but they never brought vam back."

Thundercracker glanced at Starscream.

[{ID:THCR} Data Hunger?]

[{ID:STSC} Sounds like it.]

That further solidified the truth Thundercracker didn't want to acknowledge: the Autobots were capturing Seekers to breed them. But why wouldn't they bring Nimbus back, if they sent Thundercracker and Starscream here? Did they not know how to fix Data Hunger? Considering Prowl had to tell them Thundercracker and Starscream were bonded, they probably had no idea. It explained why they weren't hearing about this program already.

The Reconian flock were close to Iacon. If one of the Seekers from this program escaped, could they have ended up with them? That would explain Lightframe's immediate recognition and their insistence that Autobot-raised Seekers brought 'slayers.' Maybe they had lived closer and were chased away when one of those Seekers escaped and the Autobots stumbled across them in an attempt to retrieve them. When Thundercracker got out of here—because he was getting out of here—he would ask.

He hoped Lightframe was alright. They may have escaped, but they were injured and likely couldn't fly. Skywarp could only teleport so far. But wa would make it to the Reconians, and then…

Wheeljack had already agreed to help Prowl's Autobots. They spoke of others who would also help, and were concerned about the Autobots being cut off from the network. They were cut off after The Intermediary saw Thundercracker. The ornly stipend stopped being sent when Prowl arrived in Iacon. Ironhide let Thundercracker stay with Starscream, and was kinder to them than the other guards, because Thundercracker spoke to him before. The Magnus had Thundercracker's vocalizer taken away so he couldn't speak. It was all adding up: The Magnus feared communication, so it must be the answer. If Skywarp could convince the Reconians to send a messenger, everything would work out.

Thundercracker's spark buzzed. It wasn't as strong as it was at its peak, but the litter still drew energy from his spark. Sunstorm would probably be able to give a detailed report on exactly what systems the litter had developed now. Were the fuel lines near their spark chambers finished forming? Were their chambers almost ready to close?

He laid a hand on his chest. The seekerlings stared up at him, and he was reminded of the issues at hand. Yet again, he wished his vocalizer hadn't been removed so he could just speak.

[{ID:THCR} I'm carrying a litter, so they put me in here.]

Starscream relayed the message—not without rephrasing, of course. The seekerlings stared up at Thundercracker again, optics wide. The red and white one come closer.

"You are?" Va said.

Thundercracker nodded. Va reached up.

"Can I feel them?" Va asked.

Gently, Thundercracker took the seekerling's hand and placed it on his chest. Their sparks were strong now—he could feel them even with the seekerling's hand between them. The seekerling gasped.

"Wow," va said. "That's—"

Thundercracker was knocked sideways. It wasn't enough force to fully bowl him over, but enough that he didn't realize the seekerling was gone until he sat up. Starscream growled. The rattling of plating sounded ahead.

Before them stood an adolescent Seeker. Thundercracker didn't know quite how he knew that. Va was nearly as large as an adult Seeker, but the air around vam was just different. Baring vas dentae, va rattled vas silver wings again. The teal accents on vas plating blended in with the artificial sky and matched perfectly with vas optics.

"You won't hurt them!" The young Seeker said. "I won't let you!"

Starscream growled and rattled kas wings in response. Thundercracker rested a hand on kas shoulder. Wings flicking, ka turned toward him. Thundercracker shook his helm.

[{ID:THCR} Seekerling. Don't hurt vam.]

Starscream sighed, kas wings lowering. Thundercracker lowered his as well, tightening his plating to make himself smaller. The young Seeker's optics flicked between them.

"We aren't going to hurt anyone," Starscream said.

The young Seeker bared vas dentae. "Like I'd believe that!"

Why did va even think they would hurt them? Thundercracker's wings twitched. Had they put captured Seekers in here before? Yet again, Thundercracker wished he could speak. Starscream was clever, but ka wasn't exactly a comforting presence. They needed to deescalate somehow.

Thundercracker put a hand on his chest.

[{ID:THCR} Tell vam why we're here.]

Starscream stared at him, wings twitching and weight shifting. Then, ka turned back toward the young Seeker, whose wings widened in response.

"We were taken," Starscream said. "We didn't choose to be here, nor did we know you were here. We would never hurt a seekerling. My trinemate has kindled. The little ones were curious about it."

"Kindled?" The young Seeker said, vas wings falling.

"Yes," Starscream said. "Kindled."

"Oh," the young Seeker said.

Slowly, va placed the other two Seekerlings on the ground. They looked up at vam. The red and white one took a step toward Thundercracker, then stopped.

In a swift motion, the young Seeker scooped up both of the seekerlings and fled.

!!!

They didn't seek the young Seeker nor vas companions out, nor did the young Seeker confront them again. Though vas presence was made apparent through brief moments—the shuffling of dirt, the clang of plating, or the quiet whispering of a seekerling. Thundercracker heard two more voices, which meant there were five seekerlings in this… whatever it was.

And yet there were no adult Seekers but them. Thundercracker already knew why, but it was still strange. Then, he remembered his own experiences—laying in the medbay, completely numbed by painkillers—and the picture painted was a lot clearer. How did the Autobots manage to miss something like this? Was this aspect of Seekers really so difficult to grasp?

Thundercracker rolled over as his fuel gauge complained. Beside him, Starscream let out a sleepy grumble. There was no point in getting up. The Seekers were the only thing alive in here. No prey meant nothing to hunt. The guards would be by with a few turborats soon. It was always turborats. Thundercracker would be tired of then if he had it in himself to care. But as it was, he needed the food too much to be bothered by it.

Eventually, the dragging of the door alerted Thundercracker to the arrival of the promised meal. He pushed himself to his knees, then poked Starscream repeatedly. With a groggy hiss, Starscream rose to kas pedes. The door was already shut by the time they arrived.

Immediately, Thundercracker tore into the nearest turborat. Now that it was in front of him, he was starving. He stifled a purr. There was little pleasure in this place beyond eating. Starscream ate with him, hunched over to hide the pills ka took out. A quick glance told Thundercracker that plenty of them were left, so at least they didn't have to worry about that. But if they were stuck here long enough, they eventually would.

Starscream claimed there were cameras. Thundercracker had to wonder how ka knew what they were, especially since he hadn't noticed any. But maybe ka spoke with others before they left more than he thought. Prowl's base definitely had cameras in it, so ka could have learned about them from there. Regardless, Thundercracker didn't doubt that they were being watched, and neither of them wanted to find out what happened if Starscream took the medicine in plain sight. The reaction The Doctor had to discovering it in the first place was enough. Thundercracker was surprised the medicine was returned at all.

Quiet rustling pulled him out of his thoughts. He turned toward the noise, lips curling. Silver and teal plating met his optics. He lowered his wings and hid his dentae. Still, the young Seeker's wings remained wide. Vas plating flared.

"We aren't going to hurt you," Starscream said.

The young Seeker took a step back and shook vas plating. Then, va surged forward with a hiss. Thundercracker snatched his meal and scooted away. With a turborat in vas claws, the young Seeker sprinted away.

Thundercracker placed his meal back on the ground and continued eating. When he first met other Seekers, he was afraid of them as well. But seeing it so plainly left him helpless.

"Va will be back," Starscream said, kas voice as light as the amusement on the air.

Thundercracker stared at ka, his olfactory ridge crinkling. The young Seeker wanted nothing to do with them. Starscream waved a hand. Thundercracker followed the motion.

Before them sat the remaining turborats. Thundercracker smiled, a silent laugh lifting his shoulders and wings. The young Seeker only took one turborat. Va would have to come back for the others to feed vas companions. All they had to do was wait.

So, they waited. Thundercracker took his time, savoring each bite of his meal. Even after it was gone, they stayed. Stretching across the ground, Thundercracker laid in front of the remaining turborats. Starscream stayed siting, watchful as always.

Gentle tapping on his wing woke Thundercracker from sleep. The ground shuffled. Slowly, Thundercracker rose. The young Seeker stared at them, plating flared.

"Do you need something?" Starscream said.

[{ID:THCR} Starscream!]

Starscream ignored Thundercracker's chastisement, continuing to stare at the young Seeker, who shuffled anxiously. The air was cold with fear.

"Y—yes!" The Seeker said. Va flicked vas wings. Vas optics drifted away, as if va was considering fleeing. "I, um… I need those."

"Those what?" Starscream said.

[{ID:THCR} Starscream! Stop trying to scare vam!]

Starscream glanced at Thundercracker.

[{ID:STSC} I'm not scaring vam. Va is doing that to vaz. The longer va stays here, the longer we can talk.]

"The… turborats," va said. "I need them."

"You do," Starscream said.

Thundercracker jabbed a claw into Starscream's side. Ka hissed at him.

[{ID:THCR} Just give vam the turborats!]

Ka shoved him. Thundercracker widened his wings. With a roll of kas optics, Starscream turned back toward the young Seeker.

"You're afraid of us," ka said. "Why?"

The young Seeker's wings fluttered. "I'm not afraid!"

Starscream motioned toward the turborats. "Then come get them."

The Seeker stepped forward. Then, va stepped back. Vas wings lowered.

"I'm not afraid," va said again.

Starscream chuckled. "You look afraid to me."

With a yell, the young Seeker charged forward. Thundercracker rolled out of the way. Starscream didn't move, staring straight at the approaching Seeker with a grin on kas face. Just before the Seeker reached them, va dug vas heels into the ground, nearly slipping, and sprinted back to where va came from. Starscream laughed.

"I told you," ka said.

The Seeker growled and shook out vas plating.

"Now, tell me why you're so scared of us," Starscream said. "Have they brought wild Seekers into this place before?"

The young Seeker growled and squeezed vas optics shut. Fear cooled the air. Vas claws dug into vas lap.

"Once," va said.

"What happened?"

Va shifted. The air grew colder.

"They died," va said.

"How?"

"I—I don't—"

Thoroughly distracted, va didn't notice as Thundercracker crept closer.

"Does it matter?"

Vas plating shook, vas wings trembling as voice voice raised. The air around va was a mixture of biting cold fear and searing, tingling anxiety.

"It does if you're so worked up about it. What happens to the wild Seekers here?"

"Nothing—"

Thundercracker reached out. The moment his claws brushed the Seeker's wing, va whipped toward him with a cry. Va swung, but Thundercracker caught it easily. He pulled vam to his chest, ignoring the Seeker's cries, and purred. Slowly, he lowered both of them to the ground.

The Seeker may have been nearly old enough for vas first Hunger, but until then, va was a seekerling. Starscream was stressing vam out. Thundercracker couldn't speak, so this was the best he could do.

Va stopped squirming. Thundercracker stroked vas helm.

"Can you… let me go?" The Seeker said weakly.

Thundercracker purred louder. The Seeker shifted in his lap.

"You're not going to, are you?" Va said.

Thundercracker stuttered his engine in an imitation of a trill. The Seeker's olfactory ridge scrunched. Vas optics drifted upwards. Va stiffened, vas optics widening.

"Can you… talk?" Va asked.

Thundercracker stopped purring.

"Oh," the Seeker said.

Thundercracker forced himself to purr again. The Seeker closed vas optics.

"You know, then," va said.

Thundercracker made his engine stutter again in a vague imitation of a questioning trill.

"You spoke Autobot words," va said. "That's why they took your voice away. So you know what they want. They probably said it right in front of you. So why haven't you…?"

Vas optics flicked toward Starscream.

Thundercracker tilted his helm. Why hadn't they what? Thundercracker nuzzled the Seeker's helm. Va chirped in surprise and rolled away.

Va stood and shook put vas plating. But va didn't flee. It was progress.

"Fireflight and Skydive want to see you again. I kept saying no. If I let you…" Va scratched the inside of vas forearm. "Will you promise not to hurt them?"

Thundercracker nodded. He would never hurt a seekerling. Clearly, whatever wild Seekers were brought in here weren't so… Thundercracker's optics landed on the claws that were still scratching at the Seeker's inner forearm. He dug his claws into the thin layer of dirt on the ground.

[{ID:THCR} Do you think…?]

Starscream's wings flicked. Kas claws shook as ka flexed them.

"We won't hurt you or the seekerlings," ka said. "We would never hurt a seekerling. Never."

The Seeker flinched. "G-good. Good… I'll…"

Va stepped backward.

"I'll go get them," va said. "I'm Silverbolt, by the way."

"Starscream," ka said, pointing to kaz. Ka swiped a claw toward Thundercracker. "Thundercracker."

Silverbolt nodded before running away. Thundercracker settled beside Starscream.

[{ID:THCR} Do you think va will actually come back?]

Ka flexed kas claws.

"Va will have to," ka said, motioning toward the turborats.

Thundercracker almost forgot they were there under the force of what he'd just learned. Starscream's claws kept flexing. Then, ka ran them down one of kas arms, feeling along the panel that housed kas wrist port.

The air was heavy with that hard to describe feeling again. Starscream was thinking deeply about something. Thundercracker had no idea what.

There were no birds chirping to fill the silence. No wind rustled the artificial foliage.

"Seekerlings don't have firewalls," Starscream finally said.

[{ID:THCR} They don't.]

Thundercracker nearly shuddered at the memory of connecting to Soundwave. For an individual to be so unguarded, and to know it was because they couldn't guard themself at all… how could anyone do something like that?

"They don't," Starscream said. "They don't."

Ka folded inward and sank kas claws into the dirt. They screeched as they scraped across the concrete underneath.

"That should never happen," Starscream said. "It shouldn't. It never should. It… no one should ever do that. No one. Seekerlings don't have firewalls. You can do anything to them. No one should ever…"

Thundercracker reached over, pulling Starscream to his chest. Kas rambling dissolved into repeated mumbles—no one, no one, no one. Was this what a bad loop looked like from the outside? Thundercracker purred and rubbed Starscream's wing.

When Thundercracker had bad loops, he was afraid. Something made him scared and he couldn't escape it. What happened to Silverbolt was terrible beyond describing, but not something that would cause just anyone to react like that, right? Had Starscream…?

Suddenly, Thundercracker was shoved away. Starscream glared at him, dentae bared and wings wide. Thundercracker lowered his helm. Starscream's wings drooped. Ka turned away.

"Don't look at me," ka mumbled.

Thundercracker averted his gaze.

[{ID:THCR} Did someone hurt you? When you were a seekerling?]

Starscream huffed. "Who didn't?"

Thundercracker supposed that was true. Megatron had hurt Starscream. Sunstorm had hurt Starscream. But not in that way, right?

[{ID:THCR} Is that why you freeze?]

Starscream went limp when manipulated, but not always. Thundercracker could never put a pattern together. I just seemed to happen sometimes.

Starscream puffed kas plating out, then let it settle.

"Megatron…" ka shook kas helm. "When I was small enough for ka to wrap a single hand around my chest, ka liked to threaten to crush my spark."

[{ID:THCR} So it was Megatron?]

Starscream sighed. "No one. It was no one. No one hurt me like that."

It was said so pointedly that Thundercracker couldn't believe it. It dripped with the same slime that Starscream's lies had before, when ka attempted to convince him that ka was provoking Skywarp. Whoever had hurt Starscream, ka wasn't going to tell. Thundercracker didn't need to know, anyway. All that mattered was that Starscream was okay.

The dirt shuffled. Silver and teal plating emerged from the nearby false foliage. Thundercracker let the conversation die. Beside Silverbolt were the two seekerlings before—the red and white one and the gray-blue and yellow one. But there were the two others Thundercracker had heard but not seen—a blue and white seekerling that grinned widely as Thundercracker's optics fell in vam, and a white and teal one that narrowed vas optics and widened vas wings.

Thundercracker scooted over and pushed Starscream to do the same, leaving a large space in front of the turborats. After a moment of hesitation, Silverbolt sat. The seekerlings gathered around vam. Va shuffled a bit, anxiety on the air, before speaking.

"This is, um, Fireflight," va said, motioning toward the red and white seekerling. Fireflight fluttered vas wings. "And this is Skydive—" Va motioned to the gray-blue seekerling. Skydive smiled. "And Air Raid—" The blue and white seekerling that grinned before made a little noise. "And Airazor."

The teal and white seekerling—Airazor—hissed. Silverbolt glared at vam. Airazor scoffed. In a quick motion, Silverbolt bopped vam on the nose. Va blinked, stunned. Starscream snorted.

Silverbolt motioned toward kan. "This is Starscream and Thundercracker."

"Hi!" Fireflight chirped.

Thundercracker attempted to rumble a reply. Fireflight laughed.

"You sound silly!" Va said.

If Thundercracker had a vocalizer, he would've laughed back. He knew how he sounded, but aside from asking Starscream to speak for him, it was his only option.

Silverbolt leaned down, whispering into Fireflight's audial. Fireflight's wings twitched.

"Oh," va said.

Thundercracker held no doubt that Silverbolt just explained he couldn't speak. His spark burned a little. What happened wasn't his fault—it was The Magnus's—but it still felt… well, he didn't know.

If The Magnus found him such a threat, why was he still alive? Did The Magnus truly think taking his voice would make him helpless? Skywarp was still out there. Wa would free them.

!!!

Waz fans were running. They whirred so loudly waz audials picked up on little else. Another notification made wa shudder. Waz fuel was low. Wa didn't care. They were almost there.

Wa staggered forward. Weakly, a hand steadied wan. Wa shook it off. They had to keep going. No breaks. Back in Iacon was Thundercracker, carrying a litter, and Starscream, who was in little shape to defend nam. Still, Skywarp knew ka would try.

Wa had to trust that Thundercracker knew what na was doing. That part wasn't hard. Thundercracker always knew what na was doing. The real challenge was trusting that what na was doing was worth the risk.

Lightframe lagged behind wan, their wings low. Energeon splattered on the ground from the hole in their wing. In this state, they couldn't fly. Warping both of them was easier. But leaving Lightframe behind and warping back to Iacon would be even easier.

And then what? Lightframe would die. Skywarp could rescue Thundercracker and Starscream, but wa could also just get captured. Then, there would be no way to escape.

Skywarp repeated Thundercracker's reminder in waz mind.

Bounce it.

The words were Starscream's, now.

Bounce it.

With an army behind them or not, wa would return. Those Autobots would suffer for their cruelty.

I'm coming.

Thundercracker rolled over in his sleep. The quiet hum of artificial air circulation assaulted his audials.

I'm coming.

Beside him, Starscream twitched. Air Raid let out a sleepy peep.

I'm coming—

The door slid open. Thundercracker shot to his feet as chains dragged against the ground. He flared his wings and bared his dentae. Keeping his optics focused on the opening door, he nudged Starscream with his pede until ka hissed and rose as well. Immediately, ka darted over to Silverbolt, waking vam and the seekerlings.

Autobot guards poured through the door. The first Seeker they attempted to wrangle was Starscream, who managed to get in a couple of good hits—including a bite that made one of the guards yelp indignantly. Thundercracker bared his dentae and snapped at them if they came near his face, but didn't struggle. Silverbolt and the seekerlings…

Silverbolt lowered vas helm and wings, standing perfectly still as they chained vam. Airazor squeaked and struggled, but didn't bite or claw. The rest of the seekerlings stayed still.

"Play along. Trust me."

Ironhide's quiet whisper in his audial nearly startled Thundercracker. He scowled at the guard, but quickly mellowed upon remembering that Ironhide was one of the only guards who treated them with any level of compassion. He knew Seekers could speak. If any of them would attempt to help, it would be him.

They were led—in Starscream's case, pulled—through the halls. Trepidation built in Thundercracker's spark, causing it to turn faster, as they neared their destination. The halls all looked the same, but he recognized the door. He placed a hand on his chest, steeling himself with the buzzing of his litter under his palm. Whatever happened, they would make it out of this.

"Finally," The Doctor said as they entered. He motioned toward a corner of the room. "You can put them there, then go. You're no longer needed."

The guards exchanged glances. The Doctor scowled.

"Go!" He said forcefully.

Slowly, the guards shuffled out. Ironhide lingered. The Doctor pointed.

"You!" He said. "Stay."

Ironhide nodded and shut the door. A moment passed. Then, two.

Ironhide came toward them. Starscream growled. Thundercracker closed his optics and stayed still. The chains clattered to the floor.

"What now?" Ironhide said, backing away.

"The guards are outside this door," The Doctor said, motioning toward the door. "But they're not outside the exit to the storage room. We have two breems before the appointment is over and they come looking."

Ironhide nodded. Breakdown walked ahead, opening the door to the storage room. Ironhide walked through. The Doctor moved to follow. He paused in the doorway, staring at the Seekers.

Thundercracker stepped forward. Claws wrapped around his forearm, pulling him back.

"We don't know what they want!" Starscream hissed.

[{ID:THCR} They're letting us go.]

"You can't know that!"

Thundercracker shook kan off.

[{ID:THCR} What else could they be doing?]

Thundercracker walked through the doorway. The storage room was lined with locked cabinets. Multiple large refrigerators sat at the farthest end. Ahead was a wide door. The clatter of many pedesteps assured Thundercracker that not just Starscream but Silverbolt and the other seekerlings had followed.

The Doctor paused at the door, hand hovering over the panel. He made a vague motion. Breakdown opened one of the fridges, rummaging through it.

"You don't need to keep pretending," The Doctor said. "I know you can speak. Ironhide told me."

Starscream's optics narrowed. Ka growled.

The Doctor huffed. His optics focused on Starscream. Ka flared kas wings.

"When I found those pills in your storage compartment, there was no other explanation," The Doctor said. "You were using them. You knew what they were. You knew how to break the seal. And then confirmation in the form of a bumbling guard wandered into my office, asking me if I'd ever heard of talking Seekers."

The Doctor motioned toward Thundercracker.

"It's quite easy to put two and two together. Prowl confirmed it—quite reluctantly."

Starscream rattled kas wings. "Scrapheap!"

The Doctor's optics widened. Then, he chuckled.

"That would be the first thing you say," he said. "My name is Knock Out. Care to bless me with yours?"

"Starscream," Starscream growled. "And that's Thundercracker."

Quiet and hesitant, Silverbolt introduced vaz and the seekerlings as well. Knock Out nodded. Breakdown returned to the group, carrying a container.

"Good," Knock Out said. "You found them."

"The contractors made a mess in there," Breakdown said.

Knock Out waved his hand dismissively. "Another time."

He opened the container. Inside was two shiny pieces of metal that Thundercracker quickly realized were swords as Starscream grabbed them from Breakdown with a snarl. With a quiet hiss, ka sheathed them. If they were escaping, it made sense to be armed. Though…

[{ID:THCR} What about our rays?]

"And our rays?" Starscream said. Then, ka motioned toward Silverbolt and the seekerlings. "And theirs."

None of the seekerlings had rays. Thundercracker hadn't paid enough attention to it, but now that Starscream pointed it out, Thundercracker recognized some odd indents in Silverbolt's and Air Raid's plating. Could those have held weapons like Starscream's once?

Knock Out shook his helm. "Can't. The rays were never preserved. And their weapon sheaths were welded shut."

Starscream growled.

[{ID:STSC} Sick scrapheaps! Mutilating seekerlings!]

Thundercracker couldn't disagree, but the anger emanating from Starscream was too strong. He laid a hand on kas shoulder. When ka turned toward him, he nuzzled kan. Starscream nuzzled back.

[{ID:THCR} We're getting them out of here.]

Silverbolt, Fireflight, Skydive, Air Raid, Airazor… all of them were coming with them. They'd teach them how to burrow and hunt. When Silverbolt experienced Hunger for the first time, they would be there to explain it. Thundercracker knew how alienating it was to be a Seeker who didn't know how to be one. He'd help them through it just as he had been helped.

(He shoved down the small part of himself that screamed the seekerlings were his now, the same way it screamed that Soundwave was his. His memory files recalled Megatron's voice. Something about coding…)

A chime sounded as Knock Out entered the code to open the door. Breakdown placed himself in front of the Seekers, occluding their view of the hall. Knock Out peered outside.

"Clear," he mumbled, stepping into the hall.

The others followed. They moved slowly, setting their pedes down as lightly as they could. But Autobots were not the sleekly engineered hunters that Seekers were. Regardless of how carefully the Seekers moved, the Autobots' pedesteps echoed through the halls. But it did provide an advantage: other Autobots could be heard just as easily.

This gave them enough warning to duck into another hall before a set of them passed. Thundercracker caught pieces of their conversation—Seeker, procedure, various internals—but not enough to put it together. Beside him, Starscream flexed kas claws.

[{ID:THCR} What were they talking about?]

"Taking us apart like one of their charts," Starscream whispered.

Dissection. That's what it was. Knock Out made a displeased noise. One of the seekerlings whimpered. How did Starscream not know the word? Vosian lacked an equivalent—Seekers killed only for food or defense, often times both at once—but Starscream must have run into it by now in kas studies. Or had kan? Just how many words did kas Common language packet have?

Knock Out herded them down another hall.

[{ID:THCR} How did you get your language packet?]

[{ID:STSC} My creators. They kept track of the dirtkissers' words. Practiced them. A group who kept watching the flock noticed and tried to teach them.]

They rounded another hall. Pedesteps sounded from where they just came. Thundercracker shuddered, his spark spinning faster. If they were a moment slower…

[{ID:THCR} What happened?]

The Decepticons had a deep distaste for the Autobots when Thundercracker arrived. That didn't line up with attempts to teach the Decepticons Common.

[{ID:STSC} The group disappeared one day. Others replaced them. They were not as kind. It was decided not to speak to Autobots, but my creators gave me and Sunstorm the packets in case we were ever captured.]

Had The Magnus feared the intelligence of the Seekers that far back? Starscream's creators were right—that one language packet had traveled across the flock. Megatron lacked the distinct accent, so ka may have learned on kas own, but Sunstorm and nas trinemates all carried the accent. Other Seekers in the flock had begun speaking in it. And now it was what kept them safe. If Starscream didn't have a Common language packet—as incomplete as it was—what would have happened by now? How much wouldn't they know?

In the face of that, it made sense that ka never wanted to replace it. Completing that language packet was finishing the work of kas creators. Replacing it was throwing all of that away. But Thundercracker knew that if he mentioned that, Starscream would deny it. Ka would puff up and lie, saying something about not wanting language help from Autobots. And then Thundercracker would point that he was a Seeker, and they would go quiet, and Starscream would move on.

It only made the truth more obvious.

A screech rang through the hall. The clang of metal against stone. Thundercracker shuddered. Knock Out turned them down a different hall. The sounds faded, but others greeted them: blasterfire and yelling. Thundercracker backed into Starscream. Kas wings twitched, claws at the ready.

Knock Out made a disconcerted noise. He turned toward Ironhide.

"You didn't plan this, did you?" He asked.

Ironhide shook his helm.

Knock Out searched the halls, mouth agape. He led them down another. The sounds got louder.

"We're boxed in," He mumbled. "What's going on?"

Another hall. They slid to a stop. A dead end. Knock Out turned around.

"We'll just—"

Something rumbled. On impulse, Thundercracker grabbed the two nearest Autobots—Breakdown and Ironhide—and pulled them backward. The wall exploded.

Cement cascaded, dust kicking up. Thundercracker's ventilation systems whirred, attempting to filter it out. A shocked shout assured him that Knock Out was still alive. Breakdown ran forward, pulling Knock Out from beneath the rubble.

"I just got waxed this morning!" Knock Out lamented.

Thundercracker was less focused on the sheen of Knock Out's plating and more on the mangled pede that dangled as he leaned against Breakdown, but every mech had their own priorities. Thundercracker looked past the two Autobots. Whatever had made the wall collapse was powerful. Could it pose a threat to them?

The air whooshed around him. Arms wrapped around his waist. Thundercracker turned, baring his dentae, but put them away as his optics met purple plating. Skywarp! Thundercracker returned the embrace.

"We found you," Skywarp said. "We finally found you."

Thundercracker nuzzled wan.

"Do you know how big this place is?" Wa said.

Thundercracker shook his helm.

"Because it's huge," Skywarp said. "And all of the hallways are nearly identical." Skywarp squeezed Thundercracker, burying waz helm in his chest. A purr rumbled from waz engine. "I'm so glad I was the one to find you."

"This reunion is very touching—" Skywarp startled at Knock Out's voice, releasing Thundercracker and placing waz in front of him. "But we need to get going."

"Who are you?" Skywarp hissed.

Knock Out raised his unoccupied hand in surrender. Breakdown did the same.

"We're helping," Knock Out said. "Why do you think they're out here and not in a cell?"

Skywarp growled, but relented. Wa scanned the area, freezing as waz optics fell on Silverbolt and the seekerlings. Wa turned back toward Thundercracker, optics wide.

[{ID:THCR} That's Silverbolt. Va and the seekerlings were kept where we were.]

Skywarp made a strangled noise. Waz olfactory ridge crinkled. Waz optics scrutinized Thundercracker.

[{ID:SKWP} why the trinelink message]

Thundercracker's wings lowered. Skywarp's optics widened. Belatedly, Thundercracker realized he was tracing the scar on his neck with his claws.

[{ID:THCR} It's nothing.]

"Doesn't look like nothing to me!" Skywarp hissed.

Thundercracker rattled his wings. It was exaggerated for the point he was making, but he couldn't yell.

[{ID:THCR} It's not important right now! We can deal with it later.]

"We will," Skywarp said.

A realization crept into Thundercracker's processor as he stepped back, optics scanning the group. Skywarp was here now. Wa must have brought others with wan. That explained the sounds of battle from the halls. But…

[{ID:THCR} Where are Prowl and Optimus? Have you seen them?]

Skywarp shook waz helm. Starscream relayed the question to the Autobots.

"Optimus was back in the cell last I saw," Ironhide said.

[{ID:THCR} But what about Prowl?]

Starscream relayed the message again. Ironhide shook his helm.

"His cell was empty when I arrived," he said.

Anxiety hummed beneath Thundercracker's plating. If Prowl wasn't in the cell, and he wasn't with them, where could he be? Who would want something with him? The answer came quickly—The Magnus—but Thundercracker hoped he wasn't right. There was only one good way to find out.

[{ID:THCR} We need to free Optimus.]

"We need to go," Skywarp said.

Thundercracker bared his dentae.

[{ID:THCR} It's what we came here for!]

"It's not worth it!," Skywarp said.

Thundercracker rattled his wings. Skywarp stood tall. Next to wan, Starscream stared at him, a frown on kas face. Thundercracker glared at kan.

"Skywarp is right," Starscream said. "We need to get to safety. The litter—"

Thundercracker whirled away. He didn't need to hear the rest. Whether his trinemates thought it worthwhile or not, he was going to free Prowl and Optimus. Prowl was his creator! He couldn't just abandon him.

Identical hallway after identical hallway passed by. He dodged blasterfire, a few lucky shots shearing his plating. But that didn't matter. Where was Prowl? Each door was a dead end. Each hall was the same concrete gray as the last. Had they made it so disorienting on purpose?

He stopped at the end of one of the halls, his spark spinning too quickly and his fans running. Darkness threatened to encroach on his vision. His fuel gauge was already complaining. The newsparks buzzed beneath his plating. If he didn't know any better, he'd almost think they were anxious. But they weren't far enough along for that, were they? Seekerlings didn't 'wake up' until they hatched.

Claws brushed his wing. He turned, baring his dentae. Skywarp stood before him, wings low.

[{ID:THCR} You aren't going to stop me.]

"I won't," Skywarp said. "I know I can't."

Ironhide stood behind wan. The others were behind him.

Skywarp took a step closer. "We aren't leaving you to find your creator alone."

The sheer relief flooding through Thundercracker almost made him purr. Wa understood! After all this time, wa understood! Everything was going to be okay. They would find Prowl and Optimus and get out of here. Then, they could deal with whatever came next.

Thundercracker turned toward Ironhide. The bot stared back, shuffling anxiously.

[{ID:THCR} We need to go to Optimus's cell.]

Skywarp relayed the message.

"I know where it is," Ironhide said.

He led them down the halls. A few times, they ran into Autobots, who were thoroughly distracted by attacking Seekers. Thundercracker recognized many of them as members of his own flock, and a few as members of the Reconian flock, but some were unfamiliar. No matter where they went, the sound of battle didn't cease. Just how many Seekers had come here?

An Autobot noticed them. They aimed their blaster at Thundercracker. But before they could shoot, a massive Seeker slammed into them, tearing the blaster from their grip. Wa smashed the blaster, then grinned at Thundercracker. Slow recognition dawned on Thundercracker as the Seeker dipped waz helm and Skywarp pulled Thundercracker away. It was Megatron's ex-trinemate Blitzwing.

"Good luck!" Wa shouted, cackling as wa tore into the Autobot.

Another set of endless gray halls. More fighting. Thundercracker fought not to flare his plating. This wasn't what he expected, but what had he expected, really? This was never going to resolve peacefully. The Magnus was determined to make sure it wouldn't.

He and Megatron had that in common. It would be amusing if it weren't for how much harm it caused. But while Megatron ignored the harms on kas grand quest to eliminate all Autobots, The Magnus seemed not to care. Why else would he sacrifice his own troops just to locate the Seekers? Why would he prioritize silencing Thundercracker and Prowl over resolving the war?

Finally, Ironhide stopped before a door. They passed through it. Despite the chaos outside, the room was silent. Familiar rows of cells greeted them. The cells, as they were before, carried no other prisoners. Prowl's was empty. The one just one cell away wasn't.

Optimus sat in the corner, optics staring into the wall as if it would disappear if he just tried hard enough. As the group approached, his plating twitched, but he didn't turn. Ironhide entered a code into the keypad. It beeped angrily at him.

"That was supposed to work," he said, olfactory ridge scrunching.

Skywarp stepped forward.

"No need," wa said.

With a flick of waz wings, wa disappeared. A moment later, wa rematerialized next to Optimus. With a startled shout, Optimus flung himself away. Skywarp snickered and grabbed him. Then, they were on the opposite side of the bars.

[{ID:THCR} Where's Prowl?]

Optimus winced as Skywarp repeated the message.

"I don't know," he said. "But I overheard the guards saying something about an execution. I don't know if it's his, but… I have no reason to believe it's not."

Ironhide grimaced. "If he was taken for execution, he'll be at The Arena. That's halfway across the city."

Dread invaded Thundercracker's spark. He flicked his wings, forcing the emotion down. There was still time. There had to be.

Skywarp beat him to asking.

"Where is it?" Wa asked. "I can warp us."

The moment Ironhide gave the coordinates, Skywarp's claws closed around Thundercracker's arm. The world twisted, and they were gone.

The first thing Thundercracker heard was yelling. It echoed off the walls that stretched before them. Mecha lined the area, staring down from their seats. Their faces were twisted into sneers. At the front, a mech held their sparkling's helm, forcing them to stare at the display.

Prowl was bound, his helm forced down and his neck forced forward. An axe laid on the table beside him. Both were adorned with gemstones and golden trim. Only a fraction of the space the arena offered was taken up. He didn't struggle. Still, the two guards at the edges of the platform eyed him warily. At the back sat The Magnus, reclined in a throne finished with the same time and gemstones as everything else.

The crowd hushed. Thundercracker's wings twitched. His plating burned as all optics fell on them.

"Seekers," The Magnus said. "They have invaded even here."

The crowd exploded in noise. Thundercracker bared his dentae. The Magnus rose. He spread out his arms, the crowd falling silent once again.

"I will show these mechanimals they cannot be here," The Magnus said.

He stopped before the table, running a finger down the handle of the axe. Then, he grasped it, turning it as it caught the light.

"There is no place for monsters."

The Magnus came forward, axe in hand. Thundercracker flexed his claws and rattled his wings. How dare The Magnus pretend they were monstrous mechanimals after speaking with him? After having his voice taken away?

The axe swung. Thundercracker backed away. He wished he could yell—tell everyone here who The Magnus really was. Skywarp could speak the words for him, but it wouldn't be the same. A startled yelp from waz direction drew Thundercracker's attention away. The guards had come forward as well, firing at Skywarp with their blasters. Thundercracker dodged a strike from the axe, the whoosh of it ringing on the air.

Thundercracker only had the briefest glance to check, but Prowl was still restrained. There was no escaping from the restraints on his own—they were too thick. Out of the two of them, only one Seeker had a chance at freeing him.

[{ID:THCR} Take Prowl and run.]

The Magnus swung again. Thundercracker's pedes left the stage as he dodged it, bringing him into the open arena. The crowd roared.

[{ID:SKWP} I won't leave you behind again}

Despite the peril ahead, mild irritation rose within Thundercracker. He knew wan just wanted to protect him, but it didn't make this any easier.

[{ID:THCR} You're the only one that can get Prowl out of here. You can come back after. Please just take kan.]

Thundercracker didn't see Skywarp teleport to Prowl's side. He didn't see Skywarp dismantle the restraints or teleport away. All he saw was the next swing of The Magnus's axe. But the guards' yelps clued him in.

The next time The Magnus struck, Thundercracker reached out, catching the flat part of the blade between his palms. He yanked it sideways, flinging it into the wall of the arena. It landed with a ringing clang. Then, he pounced, claws sinking deep into The Magnus's armor.

But The Magnus didn't struggle. He didn't reach for Thundercracker's claws or kick him off. Instead, as Thundercracker's fingers closed around his neck, he grinned.

"Show them what a mechanimal you are," he whispered.

Horror rose in Thundercracker's spark. This was exactly what The Magnus wanted. If he killed him, Thundercracker wouldn't be able to defend himself, because he couldn't speak. The only Seekers who could translate for him were gone.

Thundercracker's grip slackened. His head was thrown sideways from the force of a blow. His plating screeched as it ground against the sand. The Magnus rose, his shadow falling over Thundercracker. The three sparks in Thundercracker's chest pulsed in time with his own.

Skywarp and Thundercracker disappeared with a whoosh of air. Starscream let kaz sag slightly in relief. They weren't in the epicenter of this anymore. But anxiety quickly returned—they were leaving one storm only to fly straight into another. Still, there was only so much ka could do. Ka turned toward the rest of the group.

Ironhide stared back with a grimace. Optimus frowned. Knock Out and Breakdown exchanged glances. Behind all of them, Silverbolt pulled the other seekerlings closer. Their fear drifted on the air, so strong that it consumed all other emotions. First priority: getting the seekerlings to safety.

Starscream forced kaz to stare into Knock Out's optics. It would be a direct threat, and Starscream had to force kaz not to lower kas wings because of that, but Autobots liked doing that when they talked because everything Autobots liked was backwards.

"Where is that exit?" Starscream said.

Thundercracker always tried to get kan to replace kas language packets. Ka knew why. The words were difficult to form. Ka had to pick them individually, and was never quite sure they actually meant what ka intended. But Knock Out and Breakdown stepped ahead with a nod, so they must've understood.

Starscream had never talked to Optimus, but he was across from Starscream's cell, so they spent plenty of time trading glances until they were moved to the farce that the Autobots called an enclosure. All of the guards but Ironhide refused to let them speak, and Starscream never had anything to say, anyway. Seemed Optimus didn't, either, as the only noise that consumed the air was the blasterfire that echoed down the halls. Starscream slowed kas pace so ka would end up beside the seekerlings. They were the most important thing right now.

Silverbolt stared ahead, the other seekerlings at vas side. Vas wings trembled—enough to be seen, but not heard. Scared Seekers were irrational Seekers. Starscream would need to keep an optic on vam. Not that ka wasn't already.

They were similar in some ways. Neither of then held much trust in others. Both of them had been mistreated—even in the same chilling way. No. Starscream's plating crawled. Not in the same way. Kas spark threatened to spin faster. Ka flexed kas claws. It was different. That… hadn't happened. It was a bad dream and nothing more.

Silverbolt had been hurt, and it made vam scared. Scared Seekers were irrational Seekers. So, the best thing to do was to lessen Silverbolt's fear. But, being in the middle of an active battle zone, there was little ka could do. So, ka settled for a distraction.

"You were born here," Starscream said.

Silverbolt's wings twitched. "Um, yes. We all were."

"Have you ever been outside?"

Silverbolt's optics flitted across the room. "We're outside right now, aren't we?"

Starscream tutted.

"Outside the building," ka said.

Silverbolt's optics wandered again. Va turned away completely, vas wings twitching.

"You know there's an outside, don't you?" Starscream asked. "That the screens and plants are just an imitation of it?"

"I do," Silverbolt said weakly.

Starscream wasn't the kind that pitied others. Ka thought little about the situations of others, focusing on kas own goals above all else. But something in kas spark twinged. Silverbolt and the other seekerlings were born in this wretched place. They didn't know plants were living things. They didn't know the ground could be more than a couple of scoops of dirt. They didn't know the warmth of basking in the sun. Thundercracker had been pathetic when ka first joined the flock, but even ka knew those things.

The group stopped abruptly. Before them was a collapsed wall. The rubble completely covered whatever entrance may have laid there. Ironhide stood at the front, continuing to stare.

"Slag!" Knock Out spat, turning back toward the group.

"There is another way out," Starscream said, the Common refusing to exit smoothly from kas vocalizer. "You know it."

Ironhide finally turned around. Optics wide and and mouth agape, he shook his helm. "This is the only one that wouldn't be locked."

Starscream scoffed. What kind of facility only had one usable exit? Burrows only had one, but that was because they were small! This place was massive!

"There's a viewing area on the roof," Knock Out said. "You can fly out that way."

The group began to move. Starscream paused as Silverbolt remained in place. Ka nudged vam. Va stayed in place.

"What about you?" Silverbolt said in Common, voice barely audible above the muffled noise of combat. Starscream didn't know va had enough of a vocabulary in Common to even ask that.

Knock Out and Breakdown exchanged glances. Optimus frowned.

"We'll figure it out," Knock Out said.

They turned around. Starscream readied kaz to dodge the fighting in the halls once again, sticking close to Silverbolt and the seekerlings in order to shield them if necessary. A loud bang sounded before them, then a clatter a something rolled across the floor. A shout rang out as the sound of splattering assaulted their audials. Breakdown jerked, dropping Knock Out. Energeon pooled on the floor. Starscream shoved Silverbolt back, ignoring vas sharp cry.

A long, thin blade jutted from Breakdown's abdomen. The blade slowly receded. With a clang, Breakdown fell to the floor. Standing before him was a blue and yellow Autobot. His lips were drawn into a snarl.

"Traitors!" He spat. "You'll suffer for this."

Starscream growled. This was the same scrapheap that attacked their home, and chased them down, and captured them! Of course he would be here. Stepping in front of Silverbolt, Starscream unsheathed kas swords.

Oh, how ka missed slashing idiots in the face. Ka moved quickly, deflecting the Autobot's sword with one of kas and striking around it with the other. The Autobot's sword rattled on the ground as the Autobot's hand wrist sliced through, hand falling with it. With a yelp, the Autobot backed away. Starscream snickered. Pathetic as all the others in the end!

With a quick leap, Starscream landed in front of the sword before the Autobot could take it again. Ka kicked it away. Ka swung kas swords again, but the scrapheap pulled out a shield, blocking the attack. Shaking kaz out, Starscream sheathed kas swords and charged, leaping to aim a kick at the shield.

The Autobot fell to the ground with a cry, the shield now serving as a way to hold him down. Starscream raised a pede to stomp on his helm, but as ka lowered it, kas leg was yanked from beneath. Kas plating vibrated painfully as ka hit the floor wings-first, their edges jamming into something that felt suspiciously similar to a frame. The Autobot rose, dragging Starscream with a screeching scrape. He brought up the shield and slammed it into Starscream's helm.

Kas vision glitched. The shield rose and fell again. Stupidly, Starscream raised kas hands to defend against it, pain searing kas arm as kas old injury was strained. Kas useless frame never healed it quite right, and now ka was paying the price. But a third strike didn't come.

Silver plating wrestled with the Autobot in a blur. The Autobot bashed Silverbolt with the shield and va cried out. Starscream's claws flexed. Not the seekerling. Ka took the briefest moment to calculate kas trajectory, then pounced.

Ka sank kas fangs into the Autobot's neck. Energeon welled in kas mouth. Ka dug kas claws into the Autobot's plating as deeply as ka could manage, then wrenched kas claws and teeth in different directions, pulling at the Autobot's frame. Something in his neck tore. Energeon splattered on the floor.

Starscream pulled the Autobot upward, exposing his abdomen. Then, ka jammed kas claws into the soft mesh and pushed downward. It gave easily, even as Starscream suppressed a hiss of pain at the straining of kas injury. Maintaining kas hold with kas teeth, ka shoved kas claws into the Autobot's now-opened abdomen, pulling out as many of his internals as ka could grab. Ka didn't stop pulling until the Autobot's struggles ceased entirely.

The Autobot's lifeless frame landed on the floor with a wet clank. His optics were dark. Strewn in an almost artistic fashion were his internals, lying in pieces like broken branches.

"A waste in life and a waste in death," Starscream hissed, kicking the Autobot's helm. There would be no honoring of the dead for either side today, but at least Starscream could leave this one intentionally. He spat an energeon-saturated glob of oral solvent onto the corpse. "Not even your energeon will nourish me."

A whimper drew kan out of kas reverie. Right. They weren't just here to kill. Silverbolt stared up at him, optics wide as fear cooled the air. Ka laid a hand on Silverbolt's shoulder, quickly withdrawing it at the sight of kas energeon-soaked claws. Ka scrutinized Silverbolt's plating, relieved to find the seekerling hadn't suffered a single injury. Va was just rattled.

"We need to go," Starscream said, stepping over the corpse.

"What about Breakdown? A-and Ironhide?" Silverbolt asked quietly.

Starscream turned around. Ironhide's helm was at the edge of the hall, separated from its frame. He hadn't had time to even shout before Sentinel struck. Breakdown laid on the ground, energeon congealing beneath him. His optics were still lit, albeit very dimly. He was probably alive. He wouldn't be for much longer. Knock Out was a short distance from him, optics wide with a hand on his mouth. He released it, looking up at Starscream.

"Ironhide is dead. We need to go," Starscream said, grabbing Silverbolt's arm to pull vam along.

Va dug vas heels in. "But Breakdown—"

"Won't survive the next few kliks," Starscream hissed. "And neither will we if we stay here."

"You can't just leave me!" Knock Out yelled, pushing himself onto his pedes. Without Breakdown to support him, his mangled pede crumpled against the floor, sending him back onto it.

Starscream pulled Silverbolt again, who stubbornly remained in place. From behind the seekerlings, Optimus glared.

"I know where the roof exit is!" Knock Out said. "You don't. Please! I helped you!"

Starscream pointed upwards. "The roof is up."

Knock Out would only slow them down. Besides, hadn't he admitted he wouldn't be able to leave through the roof exit? What would be the point of taking him along except to endanger them further? Silverbolt's optics stared straight into Starscream's—a silent challenge. Ka fought not to rattle kas wings.

Optimus walked past the seekerlings. Flexing kas claws, Starscream counted the nanokliks as Optimus helped Knock Out to his pedes.

"Fine," ka hissed. "But if you fall behind, I won't wait."

The moment Knock Out was up, Starscream walked down the hall. The younger seekerlings drew closer to kan. Airazor came right up to kas side, tiny claws reaching for his energeon-soaked ones. Va examined them. Starscream did kas best to ignore it.

[{ID:STSC} Status?]

No response, but Starscream didn't expect an immediate one. This was the middle of battle, after all. Hopefully, Thundercracker had found Prowl by now.

!!!

Anxiety hummed beneath Skywarp's plating, making wa itch. Waz fans kicked on in an attempt to combat the heat that waz systems produced as they overclocked. Wa didn't teleport long distances frequently, nor did wa teleport with others and in short succession. But that wasn't the cause.

Before them stretched the outer walls of the arena, casting an impossibly large shadow. Within was Thundercracker and the newsparks within nas chest. And now Thundercracker was alone. With twitching wings, Skywarp turned toward Prowl.

The Autobot stared at wan. Skywarp huffed. Where were they supposed to go next? The Autobots on the walls prevented escape from the city. If they flew, they would be shot down. If they walked, they would be found. However…

Skywarp calculated the distance, grabbed Prowl's hand, and warped. Unfortunately, they weren't quite far enough. The city's walls stared back at them—the interior rather than the exterior. Skywarp released Prowl's hand and stumbled away, waz vision fuzzing for a moment. Wa didn't warp often. It took a lot of energy. And now, waz fuel gauge was dangerously low.

A large shape appeared at the top of the walls. With a yell, an Autobot came sailing down, landing on the ground with a sickening grind of metal. The large shape leaped down from the wall, landing on the Autobot with a crunch.

Well, that Autobot definitely wasn't alive anymore. The shape became clearer—aged, near-black plating framed by broad wings. Skywarp searched the air, brushing up against something familiar.

"Blast?" Wa asked.

Blast smiled, looking between Skywarp and Prowl.

"You found the Autobot," na said.

"We need to get kan out of here," Skywarp said. "The other Autobots were going to kill kan."

Blast's wings flickered. Nas optics lingered on the area around them, as if searching for something.

"Where's Thundercracker?" Na asked.

Anxiety hummed in Skywarp's spark again.

"Thundercracker is fighting the Autobot Winglord," Skywarp said. "Na told me to take Prowl away. I can't get back there now. I'm too low on fuel."

Blast hummed. Na whistled in a low tone. Over the top of the wall, an Autobot appeared. Wheeljack.

"We have Prowl now," Blast said. "Take him with you."

Wheeljack nodded and ducked back behind the wall. A few moments later, they reappeared at the base of the all. They led Prowl into it. Blast watched them leave before turning toward Skywarp.

Na opened nas wrist panel and dug into the thin plating beneath. A small stream of energeon wept from the wound. With a swift yank, na ripped a fuel line free. Na held it to Skywarp in nas other palm.

"Drink," na said.

Skywarp swallowed, spark growing numb. "I can't. I'm not…"

"You helped raise my seekerling," Blast said. "You and your trinemates gave me hope. You're kin. Drink."

Skywarp took the offered fuel line and sipped. It tasted just like any other energeon. Wa didn't know why wan expected anything different. Metal was metal. Energeon was energeon. But knowing its source…

Blast didn't pull away. Skywarp forced waz to drink waz fill, knowing this was the only way wa would get energeon in the middle of battle. Finally, wa withdrew. After a few moments, waz fuel gauge climbed as it processed the quick and easy energy. Blast's optics were as bright as they were before na broke that panel. With a stuttering click, na brought the protective panel back into place as if it never happened.

"Do you have enough fuel now?" Na asked.

"Y-yes," Skywarp stammered. "I do."

Blast laid a gentle claw on Skywarp's shoulder. "Can you take me with you?"

Skywarp nodded. Wa activated waz ability, power humming in waz chest, and selected the coordinates for The Arena.

The first thing that came to Skywarp was the shouting of the crowd. Endless, innumerable voices, screaming. Wa caught a few scattered words, but not enough to piece anything together. The sight before them spoke enough.

Thundercracker backed away from the Autobot Winglord—The Magnus, na called him. A close-lipped smile contorted The Magnus's face. It split into a grin. He walked past Thundercracker, reclaiming the massive axe that laid a short distance away. He raised it, its metal gleaming in the sky.

"Afraid, are you?" He said.

!!!

Thundercracker took a step back, wings broad as he ensured he always faced The Magnus. He came closer, hoisting the massive axe as if it weighed nothing. The crowd jeered. Without a vocalizer to explain himself, there was nothing Thundercracker could do.

"You have two options," The Magnus said. "One—I kill you. The crowd sees their beloved leader defeat a monster. Two—you kill me, sparking the strongest fervor you'll ever know, and die regardless."

What if neither of us have to die? Thundercracker wanted to ask, but he couldn't speak. But would it have made a difference either way? The Magnus didn't want to hear him. He wanted a propaganda piece.

Thundercracker jumped backward as The Magnus swung, his Axe embedding itself in the dirt. But it didn't raise. The Magnus stumbled backward, tackled by a dark shape. Claws curled around Thundercracker's hand as the shape became more defined. Skywarp was beside him. There was only one Seeker the dark shape could be.

The Magnus whirled, pulling his Axe from the dirt, and swung it. Blast screeched as it slammed into nas chest, shattering nas cockpit and digging into the plating beneath. Another swing split the plating apart, a bright light shining as nas spark was exposed.

"Beast!" The Magnus spat, pulling his axe from Blast's plating.

"You made us," Blast said in perfect Common. "What does that make you?"

"I didn't make you," The Magnus said. "Some scientists did, in some distant lab—"

"Under the orders of the system you lead!" Blast said. Na staggered sideways, the light from nas chest fading in and out. "You made us, then discarded us. And now you've lied about us to everyone."

"You were made as tools, and you will die as tools," The Magnus said.

Blast hissed and rattled nas wings, then winced. Nas spark dimmed. Horror froze Thundercracker in place. Blast staggered again, this time toward Thundercracker.

"Thundercracker," na said. "There are a thousand Autobots out there. Hundreds of Seekers, with more coming. They believe in you. Remember—what do you do with a bad Winglord?"

The Magnus yelled and swung his axe. It tore through the thin plating of Blast's neck with ease. Nas helm rolled across the ground as nas frame collapsed with a thud.

"I'm tired of your rambling," The Magnus said. He turned toward Thundercracker, raising his energeon-stained axe. "You lied to me. Can this one speak as well?"

What do you do with a bad Winglord?

"We could always speak," Skywarp said, waz voice trembling.

The Magnus stepped closer. "Is that so?"

What do you do with a bad Winglord?

The flock, swarming. Flashes of plating in every color imaginable, with gray at the center of it all.

What do you do?

The Magnus kicked Blast's helm away as his pede landed on it. The three sparks in Thundercracker's chest hummed angrily along with his own.

Megatron didn't care about the harm ka caused, seeing only the end result: freedom. Ka didn't know—or didn't care—that kas definition of freedom would lead them into ruin. There was a true, if misguided, motivation behind Megatron's actions. Still, ka was dismantled and devoured by kas own flock.

The Magnus sat upon a throne while his Autobots fought for their lives. He sacrificed them just to find more Seekers. And when presented with the opportunity for peace, he rejected it. For what?

'Something needs to keep the public in line. Something needs to keep the factory workers employed.'

Power. The Magnus needed the Autobots to believe in some grand enemy so they'd never look up and see that the mech sitting on the throne was selfish and uncaring. As long as they were fighting against the Seekers, they couldn't fight against him.

What do you do?

Thundercracker lunged.

!!!

"I haven't flown before."

Silverbolt's helm was downturned. Vas wings sagged. Va picked at vas wrist panel. Starscream shook out kas plating to ward away kas rising irritation.

"And you didn't think to say this until now?" Ka said.

They would already have to carry the seekerlings. Scrap, they would probably have to carry the dirtkissers as well. And now, and only now, was Starscream learning that ka was the only member of the group who actually knew how to fly.

Ka hissed in irritation and searched the sky. Seekers swirled above them. If ka could call one of them down, they could help. Familiar yellow plating soared close by.

"Sunstorm!" Starscream called as loudly as ka could.

Beside Sunstorm was Hotlink. Both of them looped before turning straight toward the group. Gracefully, they landed on the roof.

"Sibling!" Sunstorm said in the faux-cheery that always made Starscream's plating itch. "You're alive!"

There were burns littered across both Sunstorm's and Hotlink's bodies. One of Sunstorm's optics was cracked, the light behind it shining unevenly. Starscream hoped ka didn't look nearly as rough.

"I am," ka said.

Sunstorm smiled. Then, nas looked past Starscream. Nas wings twitched.

"Who is that?" Na said.

Silverbolt shrank further, if that were even possible.

"Silverbolt," Starscream said. "And vas kin. The Autobots imprisoned their creators."

Sunstorm bared nas dentae. "Of all the cruel things—"

"We need to get down from the roof," Starscream said, motioning toward Silverbolt and the Autobots. "All of us. Silverbolt hasn't flown before."

Sunstorm's optics widened. Nas wings flicked as nas smile fell. Then, na straightened up, plastering the smile back onto nas face.

"We would be delighted to help!" Sunstorm said.

"Good," Starscream said, fighting not to lift kas plating. "We—"

The ground shook. Everything rumbled. A crackling boom drowned out all other noise. It was as if Starscream was in the sky, thunder right beside kas audials.

"Thundercracker," ka whispered.

The sky split apart again. Starscream staggered backward.

"You should go," Sunstorm said. "We can handle this."

Silverbolt was trembling. The air was cold with fear in vas direction. Va had never been outside before, and now va was in the middle of a battlefield. If Starscream left, then Silverbolt would be alone with…

"We can handle this," Sunstorm said again. "Don't you trust me, sibling?"

Starscream's plating flared of its own accord. Ka bared kas dentae.

"Never," ka hissed.

Sunstorm's kindness always came with a backhand. Endless attempts to fix, fix, fix that only broke everything more. Because Sunstorm was responsible for Starscream, and Sunstorm couldn't leave things that were made wrong alone.

''Like you' isn't a bad thing to be.'

Starscream was done listening to lies.

"Silverbolt," ka said. Va perked up, vas wings twitching. "Have you transformed before?"

"Um, a couple times," va said.

Starscream moved behind Silverbolt, setting kaz up.

"Count to two," ka said. "Then transform and turn on your thrusters."

"Okay—"

Starscream kicked Silverbolt on the back, sending ka over the edge of the roof. Behind him, the Autobots gasped. Starscream readied himself to leap in case the seekerling was too disoriented to follow through, but there was no fear in kas spark. Flight was instinctual, even if skill could hone it.

A few moments later, a shuddering Silverbolt ascended. Finally, Starscream leaped and transformed, coming up beside vam.

"How does it feel?" Ka asked.

"We're so high up! What if—"

"As long as you don't do anything stupid, you won't fall," Starscream said. "I'll catch you if you do. Come on."

Ka turned in the direction the booms originated from. Or at least, kas best guess. Unlike Skywarp, ka didn't have the exact coordinates of The Arena. But as they came up on a large building and countless voices filled the air, Starscream knew ka was heading in the right direction.

Ka touched down with a flourish. The others—who Starscream knew would follow—landed behind kan with quiet thuds. Energeon soaked the ground. Frame components—internal and external littered the dirt. Further away was Skywarp, splattered in energeon with wide optics. The decapitated corpse of a black Seeker laid nearby.

Before them was a Seeker whose plating was stained so extensively with energeon that it took Starscream a few moments to search for a single patch of natural color. But once kas optics caught the flash of bright blue, and another of orange, ka knew.

Ka took a step closer. "Thundercracker?"

The battlefield, far from silent, was filled with corpses. Seekers and mecha alike milled about, murmuring to themselves and one another. A body was pulled from rubble. Another was reconstructed from scattered parts. Prowl didn't know the names of many of them. He noted them down regardless.

Pale green Autobot. Medium-size. Likely alternative mode: Jeep. Shot through the helm. Unidentified.

They remained unidentified decacycles later.

Dark green Seeker with mottled plating. Riddled with holes. Energeon loss.

Thundercracker recognized that one quickly. One of the Seekers from the other flocks: Lightframe.

Blue Seeker. Missing left arm and leg. Energeon loss.

Not very descriptive. Little about them stood out. Still, they were quickly identified: Ion Storm.

Others were known before cleanup even began.

Blue, red, and green Autobot. Alternative mode: car. Energeon loss.

Prowl didn't know Breakdown well, but he seemed kind. It was a shame.

Red Autobot. Alternative mode: truck. Beheaded.

Ironhide didn't deserve that.

Blue and yellow Autobot. Alternative mode: armored vehicle. Eviscerated.

Served Sentinel right. Prowl had never liked the mech, and especially not after he was arrested.

The battlefield composed a large chunk of, if not all of, Iacon. Each cycle, they uncovered more bodies than they identified. It could take orns, possibly vorns, to identify them all—and some would never be identified. But that was war. Prowl was used to it.

No one came forward to claim The Magnus's remains, not that there was much left. The shards of plating were collected in case the mech had relatives who wished to handle them. They sat in a jar somewhere. Prowl handed them off himself.

Looking up The Magnus's past was surprisingly easy. Optimus had an interest in history, and knew just the right sections of the archives to check.

Ultra.

A name as above-it-all as the mech himself. He was born in a poor area, but to wealthy creators. The Quintesson War started, and his size gave him an advantage. This was how he earned the rank of Magnus, which led to a seizure of power after the war ended. Prowl was born after the Quintesson War, so he never knew a world without The Magnus.

Had another mech taken power, would they be in this situation? Would the Seekers have been freed sooner? 87% likelihood they would not have. Prowl himself was stunned by Thundercracker when he began to grow. His first word nearly made Prowl jump out of his plating.

Place a tracking device, allow Thundercracker to find and infiltrate the Seekers, then destroy them. The original plan was quick and simple. But Thundercracker was so much like any other sparkling that Prowl forgot he wasn't one. The likelihood of success fell to 12%. A creature that could speak could reason. They wouldn't fall for a cheap trick like that. So, he reassessed. A raise and release operation became a spy mission.

And now, it led to this. Prowl noted the defining features of yet another corpse. This one had been buried beneath rubble, its helm crushed completely. But at least its lower body was intact. That was better than nothing.

A sound drifted over the horizon. Prowl ignored it at first. But with each body he noted down, it grew louder. It was melodic. Prowl didn't recognize any of the words. It was just sounds, timed in a steady tempo.

Quietly, the Seekers aiding him filed out. The Autobots stared as they walked away. Prowl followed. Seekers crowded before a small rock that stood in defiance of the cracked pavement. It was likely once part of a building, but there was no more indication of what it used to be. Upon it stood Soundwave.

The voice was his. Behind him stood Thundercracker, Starscream, and Skywarp. Beside them were other Seekers, which Prowl had to assume were other Winglords due to their positioning.

Eventually, the song petered away. Soundwave stood before the crowd silently. Skywarp came behind him and nuzzled him. Slowly, the crowd began to murmur.

Thundercracker stepped forward. Starscream and Skywarp stepped beside him.

"We may not be able to show those we lost the respect they deserve—" Starscream said. His voice cracked on the word respect. "But we can memorialize them and this battle. I promise, our lost allies and kin will not be forgotten."

There was a long, silent pause. But during that silence, the Seekers in the crowd stirred. Their optics fell on Skywarp. Then, after a quick glance at Thundercracker, Starscream spoke again.

"Autobots, what you just heard was Vosian. It is our language lowered to your range of hearing," Starscream said. "We have always been able to speak. You just could not hear us."

It was obvious in hindsight. How could the Seekers do what they did without communicating? But Prowl assumed they spoke using a comms-like system, not that they spoke in a range Autobots couldn't hear. The Autobots in the crowd—fewer in number than the Seekers—spoke among each other.

Thundercracker's optics landed on Prowl. Prowl stared back. Thundercracker's hand rose to his chest—to the newsparks Prowl knew were inside.

"We hope that this new understanding will bring peace between us."

!!!

Thundercracker's plating tingled as he paced, anxiety causing his spark to turn faster. The litter was mere cycles away from hatching. Sunstorm told him so the other cycle. Bitstream's and Thrust's litters were already born, but Sunstorm said that was normal. They both had less seekerlings in their litters than Thundercracker, and the more seekerlings, the longer it took for them to develop.

He knew his cockpit would unlock when they were ready. But what if it didn't? What if they were stuck? Would they have to break his cockpit to set them free? What if they couldn't? Would the seekerlings starve if they were stuck, or was there some way they could feed themselves? What if—

A click alerted Thundercracker to something that alleviated his worries and immediately caused many more new ones. Ignoring the startled wingflicks of those around him, he darted into the communal burrow, pushing past everyone as he dove into one of the private areas. He settled against the wall, feeling his spark turn.

[{ID:THCR} Can you come here? My cockpit unlocked.]

Skywarp arrived first, with the usual puff of air to announce it. Wa settled beside him. Starscream came next, followed by Ratchet. Prowl crawled in next to him. The moment he was inside, Thundercracker reached out, pulling him into a hug and nuzzling him. Prowl returned the embrace, squeezing him gently.

"It'll be fine," Prowl said. "97% likelihood. Those are good odds, aren't they?"

Thundercracker purred. They were. He tried not to focus on the three percent. After all, it was only three percent, right?

Ratchet's deft hands pushed them apart.

"You can't let them out if Prowl is in the way," Ratchet said with a smile.

Thundercracker smiled back, chuckling silently. He went rigid as something inside of his cockpit moved. It was an odd peeling sensation, as if someone were removing a patch from his body. Something thudded against the bottom of his cockpit. The impact reverberated through his plating. He sent the command for his cockpit to unlatch.

Out rolled three eggs, each the size of his palm. The first was black and purple. Its plating kept shifting, but it didn't hatch yet. The second was a red that bordered on magenta with blue highlights. It stayed still, the hum of a spark inside the only sign that it contained life. The third was black, red, and gray. Its plating shifted as it burst to life with force, as if attempting to outpace its siblings.

After the red egg, the other two swiftly followed. The black and purple egg rolled before transforming, the seekerling that now took its place letting out a high-pitched yowl. In a slow and showy set of movements, the magenta-red egg transformed as well. The magenta-red seekerling stayed quiet, reaching for and grasping Thundercracker's fingers.

Careful not to pinch any of them, Thundercracker let his cockpit slide closed, then laid the three seekerlings against his chest. Warmth rose in his spark. All three of them were perfect. He looked toward Skywarp and Starscream.

[{ID:THCR} Do we name them now?]

Windshear hadn't been named until her first few decacycles had passed. Blast said na didn't want to name her if na wasn't certain she would live. But Thrust had already named nas seekerlings—Vortex, a purple seekerling with a tendency to bite, and Whirl, a dark blue seekerling who seemed to always be getting into trouble. Bitstream named kas seekerling — Slipstream, who had a vocalizer almost as loud and shrill as Starscream's—after only a handful of cycles.

Skywarp and Starscream exchanged glances.

"If you want to," Skywarp said.

Thundercracker looked down at the seekerlings again. He hadn't thought of any names. He should have. But now they were already in his arms.

The black and purple seekerling peeped as the red seekerling bapped vam on the helm. Va was slightly larger than vas siblings, with wider limbs and a sturdier build. It almost reminded Thundercracker of…

[{ID:THCR} Blast…]

It felt wrong to use the name so directly.

[{ID:THCR} Blast Off. I want the black and purple one to be Blast Off.]

Starscream gently flicked the red seekerling's hand away, quieting Blast Off's irritated peeping.

"Blast Off," Starscream said. "Va does look like a shuttle." Then, ka grinned and reached up, poking Thundercracker on the olfactory ridge. "Having shuttle ancestry would explain why you're so large."

Thundercracker never met his creators. Perhaps one of them was a shuttle, or maybe they were descended from shuttles. He'd never know. But maybe little Blast Off was the only answer to that question he'd ever need.

Starscream brought kas finger down and stroked the helm of the black and red seekerling, ignoring its indignant peeps. "How about Red Wing for this one?"

[{ID:THCR} Like your dam?]

"Like nam," Starscream said. "Va looks just like nam."

[{ID:THCR} Red Wing it is.]

Red Wing swatted blindly at Starscream. Ka laughed. Thundercracker looked toward Skywarp.

[{ID:THCR} Are you going to name the last one?]

Skywarp shook waz helm. "I don't have any names. I'm just happy they're okay. Let someone else name vam."

Thundercracker supposed that was enough. Skywarp didn't have to name a seekerling if wa didn't want to. But naming two felt a bit greedy, even if they were his. So, with a flick of his wing, he turned toward Prowl.

Starscream inclined kas helm toward Thundercracker, then pointed toward the magenta-red seekerling. "He wants you to name the last one."

Thundercracker was learning sign—both Vosian and Common, courtesy of Dirge and Prowl respectively—but he couldn't exactly sign with his arms full. Besides, he was still early in his learning. A lot of the time, it was easier to just have his trinemates relay messages for him. Starscream was, embarrassingly, already a lot more fluent in Vosian sign than he was. Unable to go without knowledge, Prowl started learning Vosian sign immediately upon hearing it existed.

"I'm not good at names," Prowl said.

[{ID:THCR} You named me.]

Prowl's brow furrowed. "I didn't. We put names in a cup and drew one."

Thundercracker tilted his helm.

[{ID:THCR} Who won?]

"Sunstreaker."

Thundercracker flicked his wings. That made sense. Sunstreaker would come up with a name like his.

[{ID:THCR} What would you have named me, then?]

"Windblade," Prowl said.

The magenta-red seekerling looked up at him with wide optics, as if studying him. But vas optics were fuzzy. Va wouldn't be able to see anything for a decacycle or so.

[{ID:THCR} I like it.]

!!!

Soundwave landed with a grace unlike Thundercracker's. With the jetpack, na couldn't fly as quickly as the young Seekers that flocked nam, but they slowed down just for nam. Since the war ended, travel opened up between flocks again, resulting in a lot of mingling. Soundwave waved to the young Seekers, who flicked their wings in return. The moment they took off again, Windshear was on Soundwave, wrapping kas arms around him.

Ka had taken kas test while Thundercracker was away. Just like ka said, ka was a Claw. Thundercracker didn't doubt that ka would be trining Soundwave someday, whatever it would take to make that work—because it would work. They'd make it work.

CNA sequencing led Wheeljack to discover something completely unsurprising: Seekers and Autobots shared nearly all of their code. Only a small fraction made the differences that distinguished Seekers from Autobots. The blueprints were lost because there were no blueprints. Seekers were engineered from Autobot protoforms, with inserts from various mechanimals.

It turned out that Starscream was right all along: there was no difference. They elected to keep the matter quiet, but it would only be a matter of time before it got out. Wheeljack was already working on bridges to make Seeker-specific programs like trining compatible with Autobot systems.

"Hello," Soundwave signed, settling in front of him.

"Hey," Thundercracker signed back, using the one-handed variation because Red Wing had a grip on his arm and wouldn't let go. The seekerling was surprisingly clingy. "How was the flight?"

Na was much taller now, but na still had to look up at him. Every Autobot did. Windshear's growth had far outpaced his, despite ka being younger. For an Autobot, Soundwave was large. For a Seeker, na was tiny.

"Swiftrain and Double Loop invited me to visit their flock," Soundwave said.

Thundercracker forced himself to remain upright as Red Wing began climbing him. Va settled on his shoulder, which prompted a jealous peep from Windblade, who attempted to do the same. Soundwave's optics followed their movements. At least both of Thundercracker's hands were free, now. But his wings were obscured, so he switched to Common sign.

"And you want to go," Thundercracker signed.

Soundwave's shoulders slumped slightly. "I do. Windshear, too. But if you need us to help with—"

Thundercracker raised a hand, cutting nam off.

"Go," he signed. "I have plenty of help."

Silverbolt would be back with waz siblings soon. Skywarp was taking them to practice flying, since Silverbolt still balked at heights greater than just above the treetops. How Starscream managed to get wan to fly during the battle at Iacon, Thundercracker didn't know.

"You're getting too big for that."

Speak and wa shall arrive. The weight was lifted from Thundercracker's shoulders. Skywarp sat down next to him, placing a quiet Windblade and complaining Red Wing in waz lap. Blast Off, not wanting to be left out, launched vaz into Skywarp's lap, eliciting even more complaints from Red Wing.

"Get off of me!" Va whined.

Blast Off shoved vam. "There's no space! Stop hogging it!"

Red Wing shoved back. "You're the hog!"

Slowly, Windblade crept out of Skywarp's lap. Vas siblings continued to argue despite the increased space, completely unaware that va left. Va wriggled into Thundercracker's lap, fluttering vas wings as va sat.

Air Raid came along Skywarp's other side, grabbing the nearest seekerling—which happened to be Blast Off—and pulling vam to vas chest. Barely large enough to hold vam, it was quite the sight.

"Stop complaining!" Air Raid said.

Skywarp laughed. Blast Off rumbled angrily, but settled into Air Raid's lap.

Thundercracker remembered when all three of them fit in his cockpit. Now, he was lucky if he could fit one of them. Seekerlings grew very quickly. In a couple more vorns, they might be difficult to hold. Blast Off was already living up to vas alt mode, and was much larger than vas siblings. It was a wonder Air Raid could hold vam at all. Next vorn, va might not be able to.

But Thundercracker didn't complain even when his seekerlings' weight made him hunch, or when they pressed too heavily on his chest while they slept. He wanted them there for as long as he could keep them. Already, he missed when they were so small—when Windblade's little claws could only wrap around a single one of his fingers. Now, she could hold his hands palm to palm. And that's what va was doing as Thundercracker gently extracted them so he could speak again.

"Now that we're all here," he signed. "Should we get going?"

Air Raid settled into vas best pout.

"But I don't wanna go," Air Raid said.

"You don't even know where we're going," Skywarp said, lifting Red Wing as wa stood up.

Thundercracker stood up was as well, but quickly encountered an issue as he attempted to sign but neither of his hands were free. Thankfully, Silverbolt came to his rescue, holding out waz arms in a silent offering. Thundercracker transferred Windblade over, though he had to pry vas claws form his plating. Although Red Wing was vocal, va enjoyed attention from anyone. Blast Off was similar. But Windblade seemed to have a strong preference, even if va didn't complain or cry like vas siblings. Va let out a quiet whine and squeezed vas optics shut.

Thundercracker's spark twinged with guilt. He'd take vam back when he was done talking.

[{ID:SKWP} If you keep taking vam back the moment va starts to fuss, va will keep being clingy.]

[{ID:THCR} I know.]

It didn't make it any easier. Windblade was a lot quieter than vas siblings. They were nearly three vorns now and va had barely spoken a word. Thundercracker worried about vam, but those same worries were causing him to smother vam, further preventing vam from developing. He just… couldn't help it.

Despite vas complaints, Air Raid followed along as they walked through the camp. Other Seekers—many of them visitors that Thundercracker didn't recognized—glanced at them as they passed by. Some lifted their wings in greeting, but most went back to whatever they were doing. After the battle a few vorns ago, Thundercracker was well known across many flocks.

Ahead of them sat Acid Storm and kas trinemate, Nova Storm. Ion Storm died in the battle, leaving them as a lone pair. So, Thundercracker didn't expect the third Seeker that sat at their side, leaning over as ka sharpened a blade. Ka looked up and smiled, kas wings rising in greeting.

"Thundercracker," ka said. "And Skywarp, and others. How are you?"

"Fine," Thundercracker signed.

Nacelle watched him sign with squinted optics and a furrowed brow. Ka must not have been as practiced.

"That's good," ka said.

A little cyan and pink blur burst from Acid Storm's lap. Tiny claws sank into Silverbolt's legs as wa flinched. Wa knelt, placing Windblade on the ground. Slipstream wrapped vas arms around vam. Windblade's wings fluttered.

"Windblade!" Slipstream chirped.

Skywarp stepped around the seekerlings and placed Red Wing down. Wa smiled.

"I see you're on seekerling watch today," wa joked.

Nova Storm and Acid Storm exchanged glances.

"Actually," Nova Storm said. "Bitstream left vam with us because ka and Hotlink were called by the Autobots to help with something. They were going to take vam to the medic, and they knew you were going to drop some of the seekerlings off before heading there too, so…"

"You want us to take vam with us," Thundercracker finished. He shrugged. Why not? But… "What's going on?"

"Something about her not pouncing right, I think," Acid Storm said. "Hotlink wasn't very descriptive."

Huh. Slipstream was around his litter's age, so va would just be starting to learn how to hunt, and may even be starting to fly. What kind of trouble with pouncing would make them take vam to a medic?

"We can take her," Thundercracker signed.

That was how Thundercracker found himself with a peeping seekerling with a death grip on his wing as he landed. Slipstream's plating shook as va clung on, stubbornly refusing Skywarp's attempts to remove vam. If Thundercracker had a vocalizer, he would've hissed at the little pinpricks of pain vas claws caused. But eventually, Skywarp managed to extract vam—only to immediately drop vam as va sank vas teeth into waz arm.

Claws sank into Thundercracker's leg, quickly climbing up his plating. He stood still, resigning himself to being clung to by a skittish seekerling. At least Slipstream had stopped peeping now. Va was an affectionate little thing, but this definitely wasn't because of that. Something about flying scared the scrap out of her.

Thundercracker glanced at Silverbolt, who held Red Wing and Windblade in waz arms. Waz wings twitched. They headed inside, passing by a few friendly Autobots. There were some Seekers among them, much to Thundercracker's surprise and relief.

The medbay was loud as it always was—the constant hum of machinery and milling about of mecha. Sunstorm hovered in a corner, looking through a refrigerator. Starscream stood at the other end of the counter, opening machine that let out a cloud of steam. Ratchet stood at one of the consoles. As the door slid shut behind them, he turned toward them.

"You're here early," he said.

'For once,' was left unspoken.

"Yeah," Thundercracker signed. "I brought…"

He attempted to pry Slipstream off of himself, receiving an angry screech as she clung on. Sunstorm turned toward them, wings flicking as na approached. Na plucked Slipstream from Thundercracker's plating with ease as the seekerling stared ahead with wide optics. Sunstorm laid vam against his chest. Va leaned vas helm into nas plating, but didn't cling to nam like va did to Thundercracker.

"We know. We were called," Sunstorm said. Na placed vam on an examination berth. Va sat still, staring up at nam. "I can already tell you flew with her."

Comms weren't an option for Seekers. They quickly found that the low hum of comm units persisted even when inside a mech's helm, and the few Seekers who tested the units—Thundercracker included—begged for them to be removed. So, external call stations were created for the Seekers to use. Bitstream and Hotlink must have used one on their way out.

"Va is normally like this?" Thundercracker signed.

"Yes," Sunstorm said. "She is not afraid of heights. We already ruled that out. She is afraid of flying and climbing. And now she does not pounce correctly."

Ratchet hummed, stepping away from the console. "Let me take a look at her."

After a brief examination (which involved a nonzero amount of biting and screeching), Ratchet took a step back. Then, he held up one finger and moved it. Slipstream's helm tracked the movement, but as he slowed it, va stopped following it. Stepping closer again, Ratchet hummed. He covered Slipstream's face, withdrawing just quickly enough not to be bitten again, then scrutinized vam. Then, he did it again. And again.

"It's her vision," he finally said.

Sunstorm's brow furrowed. "She can see. We know she can see."

"But not well," Ratchet said. "That's why flying scares her. She doesn't know what's going on."

Sunstorm frowned. At the other side of the room, Starscream's wings flicked. Ka paused sorting the tools ka removed from the machine and crept closer.

"Can you fix it?" Sunstorm asked.

Ratchet shook his helm. "I'm not an optometrist. But I can refer you to one."

Sunstorm's wings twitched downward. Na turned as Starscream approached. Ka bent down, taking a syringe and needle out of a drawer.

"What are you doing, sibling?" Sunstorm said.

"Testing a theory," ka said. "Can I take line energeon?"

Sunstorm scoffed, but placed a hand on Slipstream, causing vam to go still. "Go ahead. Test your theory."

Deftly, Starscream took a sample. Ka brought it to the other side of the room, loading some of it into a chip, which ka then placed into a machine. After a few moments, it beeped. Ka motioned for the others to approach.

"What do you think?" Ka said. "It looks quite familiar to me. Except I was a lot worse."

Ratchet squinted at the readout. Sunstorm stepped back as if na had been slapped.

"How would I not notice?" Na said, bringing a hand up to nas mouth.

Starscream stared pointedly. Sunstorm turned away.

"This can be fixed, yes?" Sunstorm asked Ratchet.

Ratchet opened his mouth to speak, but a hiss stopped him.

"Not fixed," Starscream growled. "Only managed. You cannot fix everything."

"I can try," Sunstorm said.

Starscream broadened kas wings, snarling. "That has not gotten you anywhere. See what is in front of you for once."

Wings flicking, Sunstorm glared at kan. Thundercracker's plating itched. Should he stop them? Slipstream was right there.

"I do see," Sunstorm said, turning away.

Starscream sighed and rolled kas optics. Silence fell over the room, only interrupted by the periodic noise of equipment.

!!!

Thundercracker's cycles were largely occupied with raising his seekerlings, but as a member of the interim council, he had to attend meetings. This one stretched on for much longer than scheduled—not that Thundercracker could do anything about it. Between the council and the flock, there were plenty of problems to solve. It didn't help that Autobots liked to sleep when Seekers preferred being awake.

So, Thundercracker made his way into the communal burrow quietly. He flinched at every little twitch, fearing that maybe he'd stepped too loud and this time someone had woken up. But he managed to make it to Skywarp and Starscream without anyone waking. The seekerlings were smushed between them. Silverbolt slept at Starscream's side with waz siblings.

(It was a bit ironic that Soundwave was the one who wanted to travel and Silverbolt refused to leave the flock's territory, but Thundercracker had long stopped caring about roles.)

To avoid disturbing Silverbolt, Thundercracker settled down at Skywarp's side. He reached a hand over to place on Starscream, only to find it immediately snatched. Starscream stared back at him. Belatedly, Thundercracker noticed Skywarp staring as well.

[{ID:SKWP} how did it go]

Thundercracker flicked his wing.

[{ID:THCR] Well enough. We managed to convince them not to zone the Pietersite Mountains as a mining area, so the Peak Flock got to keep their hunting grounds.]

Skywarp nuzzled him.

[{ID:SKWP} thats nice I guess]

[{ID:THCR} It is. One less thing for us to worry about.]

Starscream was oddly quiet. Ka stared ahead, still clutching Thundercracker's hand.

[{ID:THCR} What's wrong?]

"I'm fine," Starscream mumbled.

[{ID:THCR} You're staring off into nothing and gripping my hand like you have a grudge against it, so no. You're not.]

Starscream scoffed. "Maybe I do have a grudge against your hand. You never know."

[{ID:THCR} Try again.]

"No," Starscream hissed, closing kas optics and turning away.

Thundercracker waited. Ka didn't speak again. It was Skywarp who broke the silence.

"I'm glad Sunstorm didn't abandon Slipstream."

Waz voice trembled. Thundercracker was reminded of Skywarp's past—of the memories he saw when they linked up to create their seekerlings. But looking back now, he saw what he couldn't before.

Energeon staining claws. Lowered wings.

'Leave! See if I care!'

Skywarp said waz sires left because wa was too much for them, but was that really true? Skywarp's dam had told them to leave, then they'd left. That may not have been the time they left forever, but Thundercracker doubted that one was any different.

[{ID:THCR} Your sires loved you.]

Skywarp shook waz helm. "They left me. The wouldn't do that if they loved me."

[{ID:THCR} They left your dam, not you. It wasn't your fault.]

Skywarp sighed.

"I don't believe that," wa said.

An irritated click from Starscream interrupted Thundercracker before he could respond.

"Sometimes, you're better off without them," ka said.

Skywarp let out a quiet rumble. "Just because your creators were killed—"

"I'm not talking about them!" Starscream spat. "I'm not. I barely knew them."

"Then who are you talking about?"

Starscream looked away again. Thundercracker finally followed kas gaze. At the end of kas line of sight laid Sunstorm and nas trine, Slipstream sleeping on top of them.

Starscream turned toward Thundercracker as if sensing his stare. "The Autobots hurt you, when you were a seekerling."

But not like that.

[{ID:THCR} They didn't know. They learned.]

But was ignorance an excuse, when Thundercracker complained and begged? When rather than trying to learn why he behaved the way he did, they scolded him? When they did so much research that The Magnus had used Prowl as a resource for the Seeker breeding program, and they still hurt him?

But things were different now. Thundercracker loved Prowl. He didn't know where he would be if Prowl didn't take him from that battlefield. Would another Seeker have found him? Would he have survived long enough for that?

"Some don't," Starscream mumbled.

Megatron was killed by kas own flock for kas callousness. The Magnus knew Seekers were just like Autobots and worked to hide that fact. Sunstorm…

[{ID:THCR} Some don't.]

But many did. Prowl admitted his flaws after Thundercracker came back. Ironhide heard them speak and helped them escape. Knock Out and Breakdown found the medicine in Starscream's storage space and the realization of what it meant led them to organizing their escape. Blitzwing saved them in the middle of their escape despite having once been Megatron's trinemate. The Decepticons once scorned Thundercracker, but now he was their Winglord.

[{ID:THCR} Many do.]

Thundercracker decided then that they should talk with Sunstorm. Maybe na would change. Maybe na wouldn't. But they could give nam the chance.