Chapter Text
It is a strange thing waking up from a medically induced stasis lock.
Normally when it comes to stasis locks, the programs that run within the processor of the bot do still remain running, although at a much lower rate. Makes sense since you’d want to be able to conserve as much energy as possible, but wouldn’t want the processor to unintentionally shut down certain processes.
Wouldn’t want to accidentally forget to save a memory file on a particularly important scientific breakthrough which you spent several quartexes on…
Regardless, it is still always quite the disturbing occasion when a bot wakes up from one of these medical stasis locks, since unlike the regular stasis lock, the medical one actually shuts down these extra processes.
This is what Starscream thought as he slowly felt himself come to. His optics took a lot longer than usual to come online, he noted, as the image of the hideously orange metal paneled ceiling came into focus. One by one, several alerts popped up in his vision:
System Diagnostic:
- Spark frequency: Stable
- Spark Temperature: Stable
- Engine Program: Running
- Servo Program: Running
- Weapons Program: Running
- Fan program: Running
- Memory Program: Updated and Running
- Selected Memory Files: Not Found; Try Again
- Stasis Patch Program: 86% done
Starscream groaned, as he slowly went to push himself up on the berth he awkwardly laid on. He sluggishly brought a servo to face, rubbing at his optics as he felt his wings twitch at having been inactive for a while.
“I’m sad to say doctor, but I don’t think your probing inside my helm has yielded any progress on my missing memory files,” the Seeker said to the tired looking bot sat across the room behind the large monitor. Two tired bright blue optics peeked out from behind the monitor, as the now annoyed face of Ratchet stared back at the now upright Seeker sitting wobbly on the medical berth.
“You’re not supposed to be up yet, the stasis patch hasn’t worn off.”
“Someone’s a little a little cranky.”
Sighing loudly, Ratchet stood up from behind the monitor, data pad in hand as he walked over to the Seeker struggling to get up from the berth.
“The twins got into trouble with the cassettes, apparently they caught Rumble and Frenzy trying to snoop around their quarters.”
“Probably tried to set up a prank.”
“Most likely, but now I’ve had to deal two injured cassettes and one very angry Soundwave.”
Starscream winced, as he swung his legs off the berth, holding out one of his arms to allow the doctor access to one of his data ports.
“Yeah, Soundwave doesn’t take well to his cassette-con kids getting hurt. He probably still holds a grudge against me for kicking Ravage all those stellar cycles ago.”
Plugging in a cable from the data pad into Starscreams arm, Ratchet looked up in exasperation at the taller bot. “You know if you at least tried to make up with Soundwave, he’d probably be able to help you recover those lost memories.”
“What you want me to apologize for kicking his cat that one time?”
“No, although you should apologize for that. Its for when you decided to attack him, when he was the one to get you out of that lab.”
Starscream froze as his expression hardened, the red glare of his optics burning brighter, as he leveled a cold glare towards the medic. “Well I can’t exactly apologize for what I can’t remember, now can I doctor?” He hissed, his red optics narrowing. “Besides, if we did fight back then, he probably deserved whatever I threw at him.”
Ratchet froze briefly, a flash of regret passing through his optics, before schooling his expression to a professional indifference.
“Well, since you are up and ready, I’ll go call in Bee to escort you to the mess hall for an energon refill,” the doctor said, unplugging the cable from Starscreams arm.”Your vitals are all in order, you’ll still be somewhat woozy, since you decided to wake up early from your stasis.”
“I’ll be fine, I’m a war frame remember, a bot like me is made out of a much sturdier metal than than most others,” the Seeker said with a smirk as he jumped off the berth, walking over to the exit of the room. “May I be discharged, dear old doctor of mine?”
“Get the frag out of my infirmary, unless you want to find out why I’m also classified as a Combat Medic,” Ratchet grumbled.
“Okay okay, didn’t think you’d get your bolts in a twist like that.”
“GET. OUT.”
-Meanwhile in the Security Room of the Arc-
“Poor Ratchet, someone should check his Energon pressure, the bot looks like he’s about to blow his gasket,” Jazz said looking over Prowl’s shoulder at the many monitors displaying the security footage across the entire Arc.
“With the amount of former ‘cons on this ship, along with our own regular troublemakers, it wouldn’t surprise me if it did happen.” said Red Alert looking over from his spot at the console. “I know I would.”
“Well that’s because you’re probably the most paranoid bot here, besides our bestie Prowl over here,” Jazz joked pointing his thumb over to the Second in Command. Prowl rolled his optics. “Once again Jazz, I don’t understand your ‘earth-slang’ as you called it,” the bot said as he zoomed in on the two figure in front of him. “Bumblebee and Starscream are moving towards the mess hall, Jazz can you await them there, we got to have a bot be there to break up any fights Starscream starts with the others.”
“Yeah we don’t want a repeat of T.C. and Screamer going at it again. Especially now that Skyfire’s returned from his travels through space.”
“Does he already know of what’s happened recently?” First Alert asked. “Since it might come as a shock to him to see Starscream again, since well… you know…”
“T.C’s already informed him of what happened, the execution, the lab, the missing memory files and the other Decepticon in our brig.”
Holding up a digit Red Alert spoke: “Former Decepticon, remember Soundwave defected because of what happened,” with a shake of his helm he continued, “Still absolutely wild to me that he actually went and did that.”
“It actually makes perfect sense why he did that.”
Both Jazz and Red Alert in surprise turned towards Prowl.
“Soundwave realized after what happened to Starscream that he could no longer insure the safety of his cassette-cons. When he was the one to send the encrypted message to us about one of Shockwave’s labs, it was obvious that whatever he saw in those labs truly frightened him.” Prowl turned back towards the monitors, lacing his digits together, leaning his face plate against them. “Optimus and Mirage are speaking to him now, hopefully we can get more clarity on why Shockwave of all bots would willingly choose to work alongside C.O.B.R.A.”
“Yeah I’m starting to see why o’ll Soundwave rang the alarm bells now,” Jazz said as he walked towards the door. “Need me to get you two a cube?”
“I’m good, I think Prowl’s good too”.
Prowl nodded, as he shifted his attention to the brig where Optimus, Mirage and Soundwave were sat.
“Alrighty, welp I’ll see y’all later, time for my to play referee!” The praxian said as he backflipped into his alt-mode and drove off towards the mess hall.
A moment of silence passed.
“There is definitely going to be a fight.”
“Obviously.”