Disclaimer:

still not a serious attempt at writing.

Drawing these title pages was something of an amusing challenge, somehow up untill this point i've been able to get away with drawing just Airbrush and Starscream for the most part. I probably won't be able to get away with it for the next one.

Starscream's deteriorating condition was interesting to tackle visually.

ANYWAY on with the story:

Chapter 6

Airbrush cautiously stepped through the ground bridge and into the Autobots' base. Starscream clung closely to her while the Autobots grilled the two of them further.

"Mr. Steel, can I ask you a few questions while our medic prepares the sickbay for you.?"

Starscream took a deep breath and straightened himself best he could. His head swam once more but he wrenched back control of his body before he faltered again. "Of… of course, I will answer to the best of my ability."

"Good… May I ask what your assignment is out here in the desert? We just need to make sure you aren't a security risk, you understand."

"Im … a… a researcher for… paranormal activity. You can imagine my surprise when this… lovely specimen crossed my path."

He gently stroked Airbrush's head, she moved away from his hand as he did. He looked a bit taken aback as she gave him a warning glance but remained silent.

"We will have our share of questions for her as well, her presence here raises more questions about the nature of this planet. Now out of curiosity what were you doing out in the desert and how did you sustain your injuries?"

"I was collecting samples, and Airbrush was helping me when I was injured in a rockslide. Thank heavens she was with me or I'd surely be dead by now."

"Is that how she hurt her wing?"

"Optimus! Sickbay's ready." Rachet announced from above them.

Starscream straightened himself again, his head pounded but he forced a smile. "Perfect, the sooner I can get patched up the sooner I can get out of your circuitry, Autobots."

"Before… that… " Airbrush interjected, speaking between clenched teeth. "May I speak with Mr. Steel… alone?"

Optimus bowed and the two of them walked off into the hallway towards Ratchet's sickbay, Airbrush whispering harshly.

"You lied… "

"I had to, do you think they'd have believed me if I told the truth? Furthermore do you think we'd still be standing here if I had?" He coughed again and airbrush ruefully let him lean on her but it was clear she was still upset.

"You promised me you'd tell them who you were… how are you going to explain that?"

"ah… Listen Airbrush, you don't know these bots like I do… "

"I know them about as much as I know about you, and they didn't try to kidnap or capture me the moment they saw me."

Starscream paused. He was surprised how hard it was getting for him to breath., though he was unsure if it was entirely his injury.

"Tell me right now, knowing what I'd do for you now would you have asked me to come along willingly or would you have done the same thing?"

"I… "

"would you?"

"well I ah…"

"well WHAT Starscream!?"

"STARSCREAM? Where!?" Ratchet poked his head out of his sickbay. Looking at the two that were coming down the hall.

Airbrush balked looking at Starscream who had a look of absolute rage on his face. "… I… "

Ratchet's eyes widened. "It can't be true… is it? Starscream, is that you?"

Starscream growled looking up at Ratchet. "I'd like to see you prove it, Autobot."

Ratchet gave a smug grin, "I don't have to I'm sure our security cameras caught it all for me. "

"No… please… I beg you… I'm defenseless… Show some mercy, Doctor… do you want information? You've taken it for trade for treatment before…"

"Now where have I heard that before? It's too late, Starscream, I already pressed the emergency call button."

"No… no… I beg you please don't…"

Bulkhead rounded the corner, weapon drawn on the human before him. "I KNEW IT I knew there was something fishy about you." Bulkhead looked at Ratchet. "he working for the 'Cons? or is he a member of MECH?"

"Get this, that is Starscream." Ratchet stifled a laugh.

Bulkhead raised a brow, drawing his arm cannon. "You're kidding me… how is that possible?"

"The voice is the same, I should have caught it sooner. What do we do with him?"

Bulkhead grinned darkly. "He's hurt isn't he? Nothing stopping us from throwing him out of the Ground bridge in the middle of nowhere and letting him rot there."

"Augh! No please!"

Bulkhead reached forward to grab Starscream. Airbrush flung herself in front of him, both wings extending. "Step aside Airbrush you're protecting a hardened criminal."

Starscream was bracing himself, it took him a few moments to realize that Airbrush was shielding him. A pang of…. something he'd never felt before shot through him.

"He's right, Airbrush… Starscream is no friend of anyone, he's an irredeemable snake and a murderer. If you don't believe me I'll show you the grave of Cliffjumper." Arcee came walking down the hall behind bulkhead, her weapon trained on Starscream who flinched when he saw her.

Airbrush's eyes widened but she didn't lower her wings, her left was cramping painfully from its injury but she refused to step aside.

"I don't care… It's not my way. It's not the pony way." Airbrush hesitated. "He is hurt and he needs help… if he doesn't get it he will die… I will not stand down."

"What has he done for you? Can you honestly tell me that in the short time you've known him he's done anything that isn't completely self serving." growled Arcee. "He killed my partner."

Starscream paled, looking at Airbrush in panic, his eyes begging her to defend him, at the same time he could see the pain of betrayal in her eyes as she looked at him. It was a look he had reveled in a thousand times before. Why not now? It was only a matter of time now before she turned on him too.

Airbrush finally lowered her wings, she looked on the verge of tears, but she still stood firmly between Starscream and the other autobots. "Is this true…?"

"Airbrush… I…"

"IS IT TRUE!?"

"Yes… its all true… " He grabbed his chest again, wincing. "Airbrush, please… don't let them do this to me…"

Airbrush snarled and averted her eyes. "Fix him."

Starscream's jaw dropped. He was used to people turning on him when they knew the truth of his actions, and in turn he used it to justify his actions against them in turn but she didn't… she hadn't… why?

Bulkhead grinned and aimed his weapon at Starscrem again only to pause. "Wait what did she say?"

"Fix… him"

"Why should we?" snapped Arcee.

Starscream looked agast, then looked warily up at the autobots. Not certain what was going to happen. The excitement of the situation was starting to take its toll on him and he coughed violently, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth again.

Aibrush turned at the sound, her eyes widening again in concern. "Starscream…" She glared at Ratchet. "FIX HIM! NOW!"

Ratchet hesitated, and then stepped backward away from them as did the other autobots. Airbrush was beside herself. She didn't understand war, nor did she understand why the two factions were fighting. In her mind she couldn't rationalize why Starscream would kill another robot in what appeared to be a casualty of war. Still she didn't like that the autobots were more than ready to kill Starscream when he was most vulnerable which didn't make them much better in her eyes.

"This isn't right you don't get to choose who lives and who dies like this."

"She's right."

Optimus appeared behind the other autobots. 'It is not our way. We cannot allow ourselves to sink to their level. It is what separates us from the Decepticons… Ratchet… fix him."

"But Optimus…"

"That's an Order, Ratchet."