I thank once again all the regular readers who put up with the long delays between updates, as well as Silvernight for the editing (if you find some misspelling, don't blame her. I found the way to add some text on the meanwhile ;-)

Warning: violence and blood scene.

Chapter 15: Deadly Jealousy

Charr, Decepticon camp

Astrotrain threw a last glance at his quarters, feeling no regret at leaving the small room with its old furniture. He was perfectly aware that there would be no possible return to the Decepticon army after his defection. He knew his chances to end up in an Autobot jail were high, but didn't care about such fate. Proving his love to Starscream was worth the candle.

The streets were deserted given that the Decepticon camp was still under the martial law. Astrotrain tightened his grip on the handle of his blaster, and walked to the north of the camp, where the surveillance of the citadel's anti aerial-cannon was the weakest. The triple changer supposed he would become the target of the Autobot's artillery as soon as he crossed into Cybertron's aerial space; he had to minimize his damage when leaving Charr.

After half a cycle of walk, he finally reached an abandoned track, large enough to allow to take off and gain altitude quickly.

"So long, Charr!" he said without a sorrow in his voice.

A few nano-clicks later, he was gaining altitude fast, leaving the mud-ball satellite far behind him. It was almost amusing to hear the voice of Cyclonus grating through his comlink.

(Come back immediately to Charr, you traitor, or else I shoot you down for treachery!)

Astrotrain didn't even bother to reply and boosted his engine, leaving quickly the Decepticon space area.

Cybertron, High-Security repair bay

Megatron tossed and turned in his berth, unable to overcome the nervousness that agitated his spark. It has been at least six cycles since Starscream had been carried to a surgical unit for optic surgery.

"Advise: calm down. Starscream will be fine."

The gladiator glanced sideways at Soundwave, who was also resting on a repair berth, in another cell next to his.

"How do you know he will feel well? How can you trust the Autobots after the attack the other day?" he groaned as he sat up on his berth.

"First: they brought us here. They care. Second: I read the medic's mind. Aggressor status: suspended." Soundwave stated calmly. "Third: Elita One is involved. She's protective towards you and Starscream."

"That doesn't mean anything!" Megatron snapped. He was ready to rant about the way the Autobots had welcomed them when he heard the voice of his beloved one. "Starscream?" he called with hope.

The slender shape of his Seeker appeared at the entrance of the cell, flanked by Pulse and one of his assistants. Megatron felt his worry vanishing when Starscream stepped inside, smiling warmly at him. His optics were glowing bright red: a little brighter than usual, but it was reassuring to see life in those beautiful components.

"I'm fine, don't worry. I got back the use of my optics," the Seeker softly replied, sitting down on the second berth in the cell, next to Megatron's. "My vision is still a little blurry, but I'm sure it will improve in the next few cycles."

"I'll make sure your condition is going to improve quickly," the gladiator assured as he leaned over the Seeker and kissed him tenderly on the lips. He finally crushed his lovebird in his embrace, his energy field flaring with passion, while Starscream laughed gently under the sweet assault.

"It's going to improve only if you take some rest!" the medic warned, shaking his head disapprovingly. "Stay on your berth and recharge," he ordered Starscream and then stared at Megatron. "And you are advised to leave him recharge. No rolls around allowed!" he added peremptorily.

"That's not your business!" the gladiator retorted, vexed, refusing to free Starscream from his embrace.

"That's my business, given that Starscream is under my responsibility. You are also my patient, and I advise you, for your own sake, to take a good recharge!" Pulse explained.

"Humph!"

Megatron pouted, annoyed to be lectured in such a way. It reminded him of the countless times that Wiper had undertaken the role of the teacher chewing him out as if he was merely an undisciplined sparkling. 'That good old Wiper… What had happened to him after I left?' he wondered, feeling anguish pressing on his spark again. Only the sensation of Starscream's hand grabbing his own hand and intertwining their fingers brought back some serenity. He looked at the flier, who had settled comfortably in his berth.

"At least, we are together," the Seeker said with a warm smile.

Megatron forced a gentle smile to grace his lips. "Yes, at least we are together," he admitted, kissing Starscream's hand gently.

The medic nodded approvingly and then left the cell, wishing them a good night. Megatron replied by a grunt and focused his attention on his lover, who quickly fell into recharge next to him. 'Yes, we are together, in a cell. We are prisoners, and there's no sign that it's going to change,' he reflected bitterly, while caressing gently Starscream's hand. 'I'm not sure I want us to stay in this era.'

Rodimus Prime walked with a certain apprehension to the door of the command room housing the legendary computer, Vector Sigma. The bunker transformed into a Sanctuary during the Golden Age still held the stigmata of the battle between Megatron and Optimus Prime's troops, when the tyrant had decided to invade the place to create the Stunticons.

"Chin up, Roddi. It's not the first time you're going to have a discussion with Alpha Trion," he spurred himself as he typed the access codes to the room. "You are the matrix bearer, after all."

The doors squealed open, unveiling a dark room the silence of which was only disturbed by the light whirr of a generator. Vector Sigma was displayed in a prominent position in the room, large circular boards connected to the ceiling by tentacle-like pipes and bundles of wires. Although the giant computer looked dormant, Rodimus Prime knew it was already aware of his presence.

"Glorious Vector Sigma, allow me to state my identity. I am Rodimus Prime, bearer of the matrix and leader of the Autobots." He announced while opening the panels of his chest, showing the precious and powerful artefact that he had inherited from Optimus Prime. The vivid glow of the matrix lightened up Vector Sigma's command board, which immediately responded by flickering several screens to life. "I came here to discuss something with Alpha Trion, who I believe is the only one who can give me answers regarding an important matter."

"You don't need to show the Matrix, young leader. I already know who you are. Remember; we already met."

Rodimus Prime startled when he heard the voice, recognizing immediately the deep vocal frequency of the old wise bot.

"I remember, noble Alpha Trion. This time, however, what I want to know is not related to Unicron or the Quintessons. It's about a gladiator. Do you know who Silvergun is?"

"How can you know this name?" asked the old Autobot while his holographic shape appeared in front of Rodimus Prime's optics, compelling the young mech to step back. "It has been long forgotten, swallowed by the tumult of history."

"I know this name because Silvergun is currently in the detention area of the Autobot Headquarters, together with Starscream, his lover."

"This is impossible! Silvergun disappeared as he was reprogrammed into Megatron! The Slag Maker himself is no more, after his upgrade into Galvatron!"

Rodimus Prime couldn't help but frowning at the ghost's reaction. "So, you knew about the upgrade. You really have to tell me what you know about Silvergun."

"I warn you, Rodimus. It's going to be a long and very sad story," Alpha Trion replied with a sigh.

"I have all my time."

The Security Director rubbed his optics when one of his monitors pinpointed the presence of a Decepticon hostile in the sky of Cybertron.

"What the slag is that!" Firewall exclaimed, "What's the problem with the Decepticons, now? Have they all become suicidal?" he groaned, quickly analyzing the frequency of the intruder's energy field. "Astrotrain? What are you doing here?" he mumbled, establishing a comlink with the triple changer. "In case you're not aware of this, Chow-Chow brain, you're flying in the Autobot aerial space. Turn your tail back to Charr before I blow you sky-high!"

(Negative. I request authorization to land on Cybertron.) the Decepticon replied.

"We'll see if you still want to land after this warning shot!"

The Security Director quickly selected the most adequate missile battery to shoot at the triple changer, and ordered to fire. The shot tore through the left wing of the triple changer, who groaned in pain through the comlink. However, Astrotrain didn't change his flight path, initiating his landing maneuvers.

"Are you suicidal, Chow-Chow brain? Can't you understand you are not welcome to Cybertron?" the Autobot shrieked through the comlink.

(I don't care if you don't believe me and shoot me to death. I have something important to accomplish here, and nothing is going to stop me!)

Firewall was tempted to fire another warning shot but, doubt seizing him, he didn't launch a new salvo of missiles. Astrotrain was a disillusioned Decepticon, but not enough to make a target of himself without fighting back. 'There must be something wrong with him, I'd better notify Ultra Magnus,' he reflected, watching the triple changer crash on the main landing path because of his injured wing.

"Magnus? Do you copy? I have a Decepticon crashed on the main runaway," he informed his senior officer. On his screen, Astrotrain transformed into his robot mode but was too dazed to stand up.

(What the slag are you talking about?)

"I'm talking about Astrotrain voluntarily making a target of himself without fighting back!"

Ultra Magnus pushed a heavy sigh.

(What's going on with the Decepticon army? They are all becoming crazy. Okay, I'm going to pick him up.)

Rodimus Prime sat on a crate, his optics not leaving the translucent form of Alpha Trion.

"Please, tell me what happened to Silvergun," he asked softly.

"The first day I met him, it was in the resistance camp I was leading, in the heart of Cybertron. He and his bondmate, Starscream, were trying to escape from the Quintesson's elite guards: the Vampiricons."

"Starscream was already online?" Rodimus inquired, puzzled. "How is that possible? I've always believed he was around my age, and you're telling me he was already online a million years before the Golden Age?"

"I doubt that the Starscream we know was the Starscream whom I met at that time. My theory is that Megatron's second in command was only a clone, built in the image of his dead lover by the Slag Maker himself to satisfy some mad impulse," Alpha Trion explained, pulling nervously on his moustache. "Coming back to the story… They spent two nights in our camp, and vanished somewhere after killing some of my men. It was a great disappointment for me, as I had a good opinion about the guy."

"Have you met them afterwards?"

"Yes. They both reappeared three vorns later, without giving an explanation. Starscream's health was failing and he was blind. Silvergun begged me for assistance, but it wasn't for me to decide anymore. Skullcrusher, another gladiator arrived at the same time as Silvergun, replaced me as leader of the Cybertronian resistance against the Quintessons. He forced Silvergun to pledge allegiance to him in exchange for the protection for Starscream."

"Skullcrusher? I've never heard this name…"

"That's not surprising. It belongs to the distant past." Alpha Trion posed, his expression becoming thoughtful. "I regret I could not help Silvergun, because serving under Skullcrusher's aegis was for him the beginning of the end. Skullcrusher broke his promise and forced Starscream to fight on the battlefield despite his growing disability. The Seeker was injured during the last fall-out against the Quintessons and fell into stasis. I couldn't repair him, as the technology didn't allow it at that time."

"What did Silvergun do?"

"He stayed by Starscream's side, protecting him from any danger. The greatest threat was Skullcrusher, who was opposed to keeping Starscream alive. He considered that Silvergun was wasting his talents for warfare by nursing a dying mech. Skullcrusher had ambitions for Silvergun; making the young and rebellious gladiator his faithful Second-in-Command of his new faction: the Decepticons. Nevertheless, Silvergun lived in hope of transferring Starscream's spark on a newly built body, to revive him. It was a foolish hope, as this operation was doomed to fail due to the poor level of technology."

"What happened next?" Rodimus Prime asked, eaten up with curiosity.

"Skullcrusher finally did away with Starscream. Silvergun sank into insanity and murdered the cruel warlord, before he had himself reprogrammed by the Constructicons. Megatron was born."

"Are you sure that Starscream died?" the young Autobot leader asked.

"I'm sure. His energy field had completely dissipated."

"What if Silvergun had indeed managed to transfer Starscream's spark into another body? His energy field would have been modified."

"It's highly unbelievable!"

Rodimus jumped to his feet, suddenly alive with fervor. "No! That would explain why the Starscream we know got a so quick promotion in Megatron's army!" he exclaimed before cooling down. "Hum, sorry… Please continue!"

"Silvergun gave up his capacity to feel and had his memory erased. He became the Slag Maker. I mourned the unfortunate gladiator who had lost his lover, and hated the Slag Maker he had become," Alpha Trion spat, looking a bit crueller than usual. "When I saw the new Starscream, all cocky and vindictive, I thought he was only a pitiful clone, so different from the lovable mech I've met eons ago. He couldn't be Starscream."

At this stage of Alpha Trion's story, Rodimus Prime was literally exulting.

"Oh yes, it's the same Transformer! You and I know very well the exceptional career of this young Seeker, despite his treacherous habits," he breathed. "Skyfire told me that Starscream had been discovered in a melting pit. I guess it was Skullcrusher who sent him there, to get rid of him. Just imagine—his memory had been wiped out because his memory bank was too damaged to be transferred into his new body!" he stated, pointing at the hologram with a wicked smile. "The reborn Starscream had only ghost memories, the most emotional ones, coming from his spark, but his past was totally wiped out. He started a new life as a scientist and everything went well until Skyfire's crash." He clapped his hands, simulating the noise of the crash. "Starscream, broken after the disappearance of his best friend, bumped into Megatron. Although he was deprived of feelings – or should I say, partially deprived of feelings – the tyrant recognized him at once. That's why he hired him to his army, promoted him so quickly, and then alternated with punishments and recompenses. He knew Starscream was his lost lover, but didn't know how to love him anymore!"

"It's a bit far-fetched!" Alpha Trion objected.

"Everything is possible with Megatron and Starscream!" Rodimus Prime focused on his internal communicator, in search of his second-in-command's radio frequency. "Magnus? Do you hear me?"

(Affirmative. What's going on, Rodimus?)

"I have new information about Silvergun. He might not be as guilty as I believed in the first place. I just need to check a few things as soon as I'm back to Headquarters."

(Well… I hope you're able to disentangle truth from falsehood. By the way, we have another Decepticon in our custody…)

"Who is it?"

(Astrotrain. He crashed on Cybertron a cycle ago. I've picked him up and I'm now heading to the Headquarters.)

"Astrotrain?" Rodimus Prime's optics flashed quizzically. "The same Astrotrain who was the master of ceremony at Starscream's coronation?"

(Yep.)

"It's not a coincidence. There's definitely something resolving around Starscream. Bring Astrotrain along with Silvergun and the Seeker."

(Okay. I really hope we're going to find out the answers to all of these mysteries very soon. Magnus out!)

"Perfect!" Rodimus Prime cut the comlink, while his excitement faded a little. "I have a last question, Alpha Trion. What's going to happen if Silvergun doesn't come back to his timeline?"

"Do you mean… you really think the robot you have in custody came from the past?"

The young Autobot leader smirked, "Yes. I have something to show you," he added, extracting a disk from a subspace.

Cybertron, Autobot Headquarters, High-Security repair bay

Starscream woke up with the painful feeling that somebody was stabbing his spark with a blade. His optics flashed erratically as he realized the cause of this torment.

"No. It's impossible. I believed he was dead!" he murmured. He gazed at the recharging mech by his side, and felt the pain increase.

He had believed Astrotrain had been deactivated right after his disappearance from the coronation ceremony. The triple changer was standing just behind him, on the same pedestal, when Starscream had been shot down. Starscream hadn't announced that Astrotrain was his second-in-command, but the fact that the triple changer had been the chosen one crowning him was saying a lot about his promotion. Besides, Galvatron wasn't stupid: he had certainly understood Astrotrain's role in Megatron's demise. Astrotrain hadn't been swallowed by the time bridge, and had been left alone to face the wrath of the crazy Decepticon leader. There was no chance Galvatron had spared his life.

"Primus! What will Silvergun say when he understands that…"

Starscream's words got stuck in his vocal processor, as he was afraid that Silvergun heard the truth. He was already bonded with another mech when he had ceded to the gladiator's charm. His only excuse was that that the bond with Astrotrain had never been motivated by love, but the necessity to preserve his sanity from Megatron's endless humiliations and punishments. The Seeker clutched his chest as the pain increased a little.

"I only did it because it was a question of life or death. I swear it, Silvergun."

Starscream lowered his face as he remembered how he had ended up with the triple changer. A faint smile graced his features as he recollected that there was nothing that predicted them sharing the same berth; their relationship on Earth had been quite antagonistic. They were rivals in the conquest for power until this awful quarrel with Megatron—just in front of Astrotrain's quarters—drove him in the arms of the triple changer. He hadn't expected Astrotrain to bring him to his quarters, and even less, to sooth his pain so sweetly. Starscream was so desperate back then that he hung onto Astrotrain as if his life depended on it. Their first spark merging had been an accident, but the Seeker, who found it reassuring to finally have somebody who cared about him, had provoked the following spark merging.

"That was before you Silvergun," he whispered, gazing fondly at the recharging mech. "What I feel for you is far more powerful than my feelings for Astrotrain," he assured. "I like him, but you… You, Silvergun, I love you."

The pain in his spark increased as he now sensed the energy field of his Decepticon bondmate. Astrotrain was wounded, his body screaming with pain. And he was approaching the repair bay.

Charr, Galvatron's citadel

Galvatron lay on his berth, gazing at the ceiling with a frown. One could have said he was recharging, but he was just acting. One day had passed since the attack of the mysterious robot, which was still not found. Cyclonus and Scourge had not bothered to hide their doubts as to the actual existence of this robot, which had triggered a terrible fit of anger from the Decepticon leader.

"The morons… How dare they question me?" he growled, pummeling the surface of his berth with his fist. He knew that this thing existed, and was hiding somewhere, ready to attack him. A soft pounding coming from a corner of his quarters made him stiffen and grin at the same time. "Talk of the devil and he's sure to appear," he chuckled.

He remained motionless, only tilting his head to the left to keep an eye on the approaching robot. It looked very much like an Earthling scorpion, with two claws and a tail, the sting on which pointed menacingly at him. When the robotic scorpion stopped at the foot of his berth, Galvatron could see the Decepticon logo tattooed on its back. 'Someone in this army is trying to kill me… I bet it's Soundwave,' he reflected with anger.

As expected, the scorpion leaped at him, sting aiming at his chest. Galvatron had seen it coming and had no difficulty grabbing the metal insect in his hand. He ripped the sting off with a sadistic smirk, enjoying the sensation of energon on his hands. The unfortunate scorpion wriggled in the vice-like grip, and then stilled, a light appearing on the top of his black head. Galvatron's optics narrowed to a slit as the insect projected the hologram of his predecessor: Megatron.

"What the slag—?"

"If you see this message, it means that Scorponok had failed to put you out of commission, Galvatron. I guess the only way for me to prevent you from making a terrible mistake is to tell you our story," the hologram spoke.

"This is madness!" the tyrant roared, throwing the unfortunate robot to the floor. He then stamped him in rage, crushing the metal into tiny parts until the hologram disappeared and no life was left in Scorponok. "Cyclonus! Scourge!" the tyrant howled.

His two lieutenants stormed in his quarters a few kliks later, looking with surprise at the scattered remains of the robotic scorpion.

"My lord, are you hurt?" Cyclonus asked with concern.

"Call all Decepticons. Prepare for an imminent attack on Cybertron!" Galvatron barked with a maddened expression.

"But… my lord, it is too dangerous. We have to plan the attack. Besides, the troops are low in energy, and—"

A laser shot tore through Cyclonus' shoulders, cutting him in his call to reason.

"I don't care about plans! I want to punish Soundwave and his two clones for their murder attempts, and crush the Autobots once and for all!" Galvatron shrieked, some circuits sparking in his helmet. "Prepare for battle!"

Temple of Vector Sigma

"Take Starscream with you, and escape from Charr. Go and seek protection from the Autobots. And most important thing: NEVER COME BACK TO THE PAST! I have a plan to break this circle for certain. You have to trust me and run away. I hope that finally, Megatron a.k.a. Silvergun will be happy with his Little Prince."

Alpha Trion frowned as the screen went black and threw Rodimus Prime a suspicious look.

"You really believe this is a genuine message from Megatron?" he inquired. "Where did you get this?"

"Soundwave urged me to have a look at it when I interrogated him. I couldn't believe my optics and audio receptors the first time but… yes… I think it's the truth." Rodimus Prime reinforced his opinion by nodding his head with conviction. "The question I'm asking myself without finding an answer is: "What's going to happen if we close the time bridge, keeping Silvergun and Starscream in the future?"

Alpha Trion tugged nervously at his moustache. "I'm not an expert in time phenomena. Nobody is," he stated sternly. "According to my knowledge in quantum physics, it's possible that a parallel universe appears."

"A parallel universe?"

"Yes. There would be two different dimensions: this one, which would follow its path from our current time line, with Silvergun and Starscream free from the vicious circle. And another dimension, starting from the time in the past they left, following its own path without them."

"Do you mean there would be another dimension created, which would never suffer from the influence of the Slag Maker. A Cybertron where the Great War would never happen?" the young Autobot Leader exclaimed, full of hope.

"It's a theory, one of many. I can't say for sure what would happen if Silvergun stayed in this timeline." Alpha Trion warned.

For the first time since the beginning of their conversation, Rodimus Prime dared to step closer to the hologram of the wise old Transformer.

"Tell me… what do you think? Should I allow Silvergun to stay in this timeline or should I send him back to the past with Starscream, knowing the fate that awaits them?" he asked, looking unsure.

The image of Alpha Trion flickered in the dim light of the computer room.

"It is often said that my knowledge is so vast that I have answers to any question. This is only a legend," the ghost replied with a faint smile. "I don't have an answer to your question. Only you have it." He concluded.

Rodimus Prime reached him with a hand as the image started to fade away.

"No wait! What do you mean?" he asked feverishly.

"As the Matrix bearer, you have the answer." The voice of Alpha Trion echoed in his audio components.

"Alpha Trion!"

This last plea got no answer. Rodimus Prime swept the room with a glance and sighed: he was alone. Again.

Cybertron, Autobot Headquarters, around the High-Security repair bay

Ultra Magnus peeped at the limping mech walking by his side, and gave out a grunt of annoyance. Astrotrain had offered no resistance during his arrest, and had followed him obediently. His shredded right wing and the wound on his left leg slowed the triple changer down, but nevertheless, he did his best to match the pace of the Autobot Sub-Commander.

"Are you going to tell me what you came for?" Ultra Magnus prompted. "Why aren't you trying to put up a fight?"

"I've already told you. I'm not here to fight you, but to see Starscream. Lead me to Starscream!" Astrotrain replied, breathing hard.

"What do you know about Starscream?"

"I know everything!" Red optics flickered as they locked with the blue gaze of Magnus. "I can prove his innocence."

"Okay, Chow-Chow brain. You don't want to tell me anything." Ultra Magnus pointed at the door that closed the passageway. "Starscream's over there, in a cell of the medical area. You'll be able to speak with him."

"At last!"

Ultra Magnus glanced at the triple changer, who was shaking like a leaf as his strength was leaving him slowly. This comforted the Autobot Commander a little; whatever his intentions were, Astrotrain wouldn't be able to put up a fight in his current physical condition.

O

Silvergun woke up with a start when the lights of the repair bay went on, and a voice could be heard from the entrance. He sat up on his berth and peeped at Starscream, who was already in a sitting position, staring at the energon bars of the cell. He was petrified.

"Starscream… Love. What's going on?" he asked with concern, brushing a blue forearm gently.

The Seeker looked at him with worry mixed with fear. "I'm sorry," he murmured with sorrow in his voice.

"You're sorry for what? What's going on Starscream?" Silvergun insisted, taking the trembling flier in his arms. "Did you have a nightmare?"

Starscream didn't reply, staring intensely at the bars of the cell and the hallway. The Seeker tensed up when two Transformers stood in front of the cell. Silvergun recognized immediately Ultra Magnus, Rodimus Prime's second-in-command, who had previously taken him to this cell. As for the grey mech, the gladiator remembered he had seen his image when spark merging with Starscream for the second time. He had seen him crowning the Seeker, but was unaware of his identity.

"Do you know him?" he asked, feeling a premonition of disaster.

Silvergun looked the newcomer over from head to foot, checking if he was really the same mech as in Starscream's memory. He was almost as tall and strongly built as Silvergun was, graced with handsome features. The gladiator noticed the shredded wing and the bleeding gash on the mech's upper leg. A vague feeling of discomfort seized him when the mech looked tenderly at Starscream.

"Who are you?" he asked the newcomer.

"Didn't you tell him anything?" the mech asked the Seeker and then smirked at the gladiator. "I'm Astrotrain, Starscream's bondmate."

His answer came as a bombshell. Ultra Magnus stared at Astrotrain, mouth gaping open while Starscream shivered strongly, looking up with pleading optics at Silvergun. The gladiator remained motionless for a few minutes, feeling the ground opening beneath him and the void swallowing him. His spark hurt like never before, the touch of Starscream's plating burning his metal skin.

'That's why he rejected me at the beginning! He was already bonded with another and didn't want me!' he reflected with horror. 'I bonded with an already bonded mech!'

He looked down at the Seeker, feeling his spark melt in a pool of sorrow, fear and anger. "He's lying, right? He's lying… Tell me he's lying!" he urged, shaking Starscream lightly.

The Seeker shook his head, while energon tears ran down his cheeks. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry!" he sobbed uncontrollably. "He's telling the truth!"

"No! No… It can't be!" Silvergun experienced a quick surge of energy in his circuits as his spark literally burst in his chest. His face clouded over and he shook, barely able to contain the anger that quickly overtook him, fuelling his depleted body with unexpected energy. Unable to contain his anger any longer, he shoved Starscream aside roughly and stood from the berth. "NO! I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT!" he screamed, kicking a medical machine away. "You're MINE!"

Starscream whimpered, covering his face with his arms to protect himself from incoming punches. Ultra Magnus saw the Seeker's fear and unlocked the energon bars, ready to give him assistance.

"Calm down, Megatron! I'm sure there is an explanation to this! Just calm down!" the Autobot Commander ordered as he stood between the berth and the furious mech. He recoiled prudently when two blazing optics looked daggers at him.

"Out of my way!" Silvergun growled, banging his fists.

"No way. You calm down first!"

A strong punch in the face sent the truck former to his knees. Ultra Magnus spit out some energon but remained on his fours, waiting for his CPU to overcome the daze caused by the shock.

"Out of my way, I said!" Silvergun howled, throwing a despising look at the Autobot. "It's not your business!"

"Ah… At least you feel the pain of being betrayed by this lovely bird!"

Silvergun shifted his attention to Astrotrain, who leant against the doorframe of the cell for support. Starscream immediately understood what would follow.

"No, Megatron! Please… don't kill him! I can explain!" the Seeker moaned, staggering from his berth. "Please!"

The gladiator didn't look at him, focusing on the prey his murderous instincts commanded him to slay. He punched Astrotrain in his mid-section and took advantage of the triple changer's pain to grab him by the throat. He squeezed as hard as he could, feeling the plating snap under the vice-like grip.

"Starscream is mine! MINE!" the gladiator seethed, punching the triple changer in the mid-section so strongly that the metal gave in. The dark fist plunged into the bare circuitry, ripping electronic components and energon lines with deadly precision. "I'll kill you before you take him away from me!"

O

The nightmare had become reality. Starscream watched with horror as his lover mercilessly pummeled his bondmate. He could feel Astrotrain's pain caused by Silvergun's terrible punches in his spark.

"No stop, Megatron! PLEASE… You're going to kill him!" he cried, feeling a sharp pain in his spark, as if someone stabbed him with a needle. "Stop, you're hurting me as well!"

The Seeker staggered to the two mechs and gripped Megatron's arm, trying to pull it away from the triple changer's chest. His fear and pain increased as he saw the dim optics of Astrotrain. Energon trickled from his mouth components down his chin, his throat and the black wrist that strangled him. He didn't move anymore, unable to fight against the gladiator's brutality.

"Keep out of this!" the gladiator hissed, not willing to free his victim before he was dead.

"No! Please, let go of him! You're hurting me!" Starscream grabbed Megatron's chin and forced him to look at his optics. "He's bonded to me! If you kill him, you might kill me as well!" he breathed raggedly.

Megatron looked down at him, his expression changing from ferocity to sorrow. His grasp on Astrotrain's neck loosened, but he didn't let go completely.

"I… I don't want to lose you. I— I love you so much… I don't want to lose you!" the gladiator stuttered, looking lost.

The Seeker pressed against him, forcing Megatron's arm away from Astrotrain's chest.

"I love you too, Megatron. Don't you understand it's you I have chosen, not him? Nevertheless, I can't let you kill him." The Seeker whispered, kissing the gladiator on the corner of his lips. "Please understand. He's also my bondmate. I can't let you kill him. Release him… do it for me."

Silvergun kept his optics set on Starscream, as if he was hypnotized. Slowly, his grasp on Astrotrain loosened, allowing the triple changer to slide to the ground, a pool of energon forming around him.

"Starscream… I'm sorry for what I've done," Megatron moaned, shock replacing anger.

"I know." The Seeker stepped back, his hand caressing an energon stained forearm before briefly intertwining with Megatron's fingers. "I know… Don't forget it's you who I love."

O

Everything was spinning around him. The gladiator held up his hands, looking with horror at the trickles of energon that stained the dark paint job, and then looked down at his victim. Starscream was now by his side, holding him in his arms, calling desperately the name of the triple changer who struggled to stay online.

"What did I do?" he murmured in horror.

Usually, he wasn't bothered to see energon seeping from the wounds of an enemy. He had been trained as a gladiator, a killing machine; slaying was part of his life. This time, however, it was very different: he had attacked a part of Starscream. His sudden burst of jealousy had clouded his mind, pushing him to almost kill somebody intimately linked to him.

"Starscream, I'm sorry," he repeated as he collapsed to a heap, staring at his hands with disgust.

"I know, I know. Calm down, love." The Seeker nodded and then looked down at the moribund mech he cradled in his arms. "Stay with me, Astro. Please... stay with me!" He then glanced at Ultra Magnus, who failed to stand up. "Call the medic! Astrotrain is seriously injured… quickly!"

O

Soundwave couldn't believe his optics. Astrotrain showing up in this prison had been quite unexpected. The revelation of his bond with Starscream had certainly not been something he would have imagined. Megatron's violent reaction had been so quick that the Communications Officer had been reduced to being a witness of a real slaughter.

Now, he was the last standing mech in this repair bay, and had to do something before Astrotrain died or Silvergun lost his last marbles.

"The alarm… must be activated."

He had little knowledge of the defense system of the repair bay, but was sure of one thing: if a prisoner attempted to force the energon bars, the alarm would be set off immediately.

"Decision taken." He concluded, ignoring the fact he would be electrocuted, risking a massive and damageable short-circuit. There was no time for hesitation as the situation had gotten majorly out of hand.

"Ravage, Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, Rumble, Frenzy. Get out!" he ordered, ejecting his cassettes, who found themselves lined up at the back of the cell.

"What's going on, boss?" Rumble asked nervously.

"Why have you ejected us?" his twin insisted in worry.

"Stand back."

That was the only warning Soundwave gave before jumping at the bars. Electricity immediately coursed through his circuits, frying the more delicate ones. He had no time to cry out before he went offline, while the alarm rose in the Autobot Headquarters.

To be continued

For your information, the conclusions reached by Rodimus Prime correspond to the original scenario I had planned for this story.

Thanks for reading this chapter.