Belonging 2

Starscream stopped to catch his breath. As he bent over, breathing heavily, he looked back at the Decepticon activity. He watched his yellow look-alike for a while, and started to think. The only way the Decepticon would know his name was if they had been watching him and or were trying to find him. But him and his mother had been in hiding most of his life, how would they know about him? Starscream paused his thought. Unless…his father was a Decepticon, he thought. But then why had his mother told him to avoid the Decepticons?
Thinking about his mother, Starscream was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion and he started to cry again. The realization suddenly hit him that he was now an orphan unless he could find his father alive.
Finding shelter under a piece of fallen building, Starscream crawled into it and ate the little energon he had with him. Feeling alone and sad, he curled himself into a ball, tucking his little wings behind him and crying himself into recharge.

Starscream abruptly awoke to footsteps and voices outside his shelter. Careful not to make a sound, he peeked outside and saw a group of Autobots standing there, looking at data holograms and speaking quietly to one another. Trying to hear their conversations, Starscream crawled a little bit forward and strained his sound processors.
Suddenly his foot slipped and the Autobots looked up at the sound. Starscream’s optics widened and he quickly ducked back behind the fallen wall. He heard the older mechs slowly walk closer towards his hiding spot, some drawing their weapons in self defense. Holding his breath, hoping that the Autobots would just pass by, Starscream didn’t make a sound.
Suddenly one of the Autobots, a black and white one with a blue visor, stopped and stooped down, coming face to face with Starscream. Starscream cried out in fear and propelled himself backwards away from the older mech. He could hear another Autobot above him calling to his finder.
“What did you find, Jazz?” the unseen mech called.
“I found a youngling, Prowl. I think I scared the living hell out of him, though.” The Autobot replied.
“…Damn.” Prowl replied. “Hold on, I’m coming down.”
Starscream heard the mech above descend and come next to Jazz. Jazz, taking a closer look at Starscream, gasped as he saw his glowing red optics. Jazz looked up at Prowl in question.
“He has red optics, Prowl. Can we trust him?”
“Damn it, Jazz! How many times have I told you, look for an insignia first! Do you SEE one?!” Prowl exclaimed.
“…No…” Jazz said.
“See? What did I tell you? Get away, you bolthead.” Prowl waited for Jazz to move, then crouched down next to the entrance. Starscream realized he was trembling in fear.
“Don’t worry, young one. We aren’t here to hurt you.” Prowl said. Starscream glanced at him but made no sign of moving or speaking.
“I know you’re scared. I would be too. But there’s nothing to worry about, you’re safe now.” Prowl said, holding out his hand towards Starscream. Starscream hesitantly looked at the outstretched hand, then slowly took it and let himself be helped out from behind the wall. Prowl, still crouched down, took Starscream into a comforting hug, then pulled away and looked at him with kind eyes.
“What’s your name, young one? Where are your parents?” Prowl asked calmly. Starscream slowly replied in a quiet voice.
“My name is Starscream,” he said. He heard a gasp from a femme near the back of the now assembled group of Autobots, and he saw Prowl’s optics widen with surprise, “And my mother was killed yesterday by a Decepticon missile.” Starscream felt a tear forming, and he quickly wiped it away. “My father disappeared before I was born, I never knew him.”
Prowl and Jazz narrowed their optics at the mention of the Decepticons. Then Prowl stood up and put his hand on Starscream’s shoulder with a look of understanding on his face.
“I’m sorry about your mother, Starscream.” He said. “But we can’t stay here much longer. Let’s get you to a more secure location. Jazz, radio Ratchet and tell him that we have a newbie coming in who needs to have a systems check.”
“Yeah, whatever, Prowl.” Jazz said, giving Starscream a weird look, then turned away and turned his comm on. Prowl motioned for the group to move out, and they started walking. Soon they reached a lit entrance in the side of a hill guarded by two armed Autobots, who let the group pass without hesitation. Prowl left to report to the Autobot command, leaving Starscream with a kind femme called Chromia. She led him to the medical bay, explaining that all new arrivals need to get their systems checked for infections and other problems that may affect their health or actions. The med bay door opened, and Starscream was left to walk in on his own.

“WHAT?!” was all Prime could say as Prowl reported to him.
“It’s completely the truth, sir.” Prowl said. “He said his name was Starscream.”
Prime sighed, calming down. “I believe you.” He said. Then, curiously, he added; “Does he know who his father is?”
“No, sir.” Prowl said.
“Then it’s best that he never know. If he found out I wouldn’t have the faintest idea of how that could change his personality or future.” Prime replied. “After his systems check is done, introduce him to the other younglings. Now that I think of it, he might have the personality we need to warm up Skyfire.”
“Yes, sir.” Prowl said, then turned and left the room.