Scientific Post 4/4

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Scientific

Starscream shook his head as he started putting away his equipment. It had been a long two weeks. A very long two weeks. There had been a sudden outbreak amongst the Cybertronions, both Autobots and Decepticons alike, that had Megatron and Optimus agreeing to a tentative truce until the matter was dealt with.

In the beginning it had looked like many of the mechs had been suffering from rust spots but as the corrosion got worse and began eating their inner workings the medics had instantly quarantined those affected and put out a full alert. The scientists, mechanics and engineers were all shoved in a room as the medics tried their best to help those infected and asked politely by Optimus to find out what was wrong before they all were at risk.

Megatron had been less subtle. Figure it out. If not Starscream had two choices. Die from the affliction or die by his hand. The Autobot side had been horrified at the threat. Starscream just shrugged. For him it was just yet another day in the Decepticon rank.

So began two weeks of having to share space with the other scientists, mechanics and Wheeljack. Wheeljack had a corner all to himself for obvious reason. The biggest problem had been Skyfire. Starscream had tried his best to avoid him but with all them having to pool their thoughts and ideas it had been rather difficult.

It could have been worse however. He wondered how well Hook had gotten along with Ratchet in the quarantine room. It had been the soft-spoken red scientist that had discovered the problem and Starscream had a hunch that it was thanks to the scientists alt form that they had figured it out at all.

Tiny microscopic creatures, not of either Earth or Cybertron origin, had been eating through their outer plating and leaving behind a corrosive acid that was creating the rust spots. Apparently they had hitched a ride on some of the new arrivals with the Autobot's supplies. It figured in Starscream's opinion.

The solution, a salve that was to smother the blasted parasites, was already being taken to the medbay by Skyfire. His once partner couldn't get out of his presence fast enough it seemed. In fact, it was clear that everyone was anxious to be away from the once scientist now seeker commander.

All but the microscope mimic who had discovered the small disastrous organics. Starscream looked over at the mech who was just as calmly putting away his own equipment like Starscream was. Ensuring that each and every piece was securely and safely put back in their proper cases.

The scientist had perked Starscream's interest. He couldn't remember ever encountering the mech before or during the war and he had almost missed the smaller mech completely until he had announced his discovery after the first week. The second week he had mostly been studying the parasites while Wheeljack and the others worked on trying to counter their destructiveness.

Now that the crisis was averted the tension of the room had completely subsided with the others exits and there was still the tentative truce currently in affect. It wouldn't last long but Starscream was intent on making the most of it as he closed the lid to his travel kit and sidled towards the other mech in the room. "I don't believe I've ever seen a mech who's own alt mode was a microscope," he snickered even as his gaze roamed over the mech appraisingly.

Blue optics snapped up before the mech ducked his head again, placing beakers into their soft padded case. "It is effective and assists me in my research."

There was a defensive tone in the mech's voice and Starscream was instantly intrigued. Cleary this mech had to defend his rather unorthodox form before and Starscream found himself unsurprised. While they preached acceptance for everything and everyone he had heard some of the more biting remarks some of the Autobots had directed towards their comrades when they thought there were no Decepticons around. Pity for them that Laserbeak was so very, very good at his job.

"I'll bet," Starscream drawled, his gaze roaming over the large scope over the mech's shoulder. The Autobot looked up in surprise before he shifted clearly unnerved by Starscream's scrutiny.

"Have you finished with your equipment?" the mech asked quietly.

"Eh," Starscream shrugged.

"I can assist you if you would like," the mech offered and Starscream wondered if he really did wish to help or if he just wanted Starscream out of there as quickly as possible. He seemed eager enough to help.

"It can wait." He looked back down at the mech. "Want to get a drink?" The Autobot's head snapped up in utter shock and Starscream couldn't suppress the superior smirk. "To celebrate," he added and the stunned look faded from the mech's face replaced with indecision as the red mech looked about the large room that was still a complete wreck from all the gear that had been used and just left about. Starscream could guess what he was going to say and quickly beat him too it. "We just spent two weeks working ourselves to the wire, we can get a slagging drink if we want too and deal with all this later."

The Autobot still was hesitant. "But the mess hall…"

Starscream sneered. They were in the Autobot's ARK and sadly enough the Autobots outnumbered the Decepticons that were visiting. He looked back down at the mech sharply. "Don't tell me you don't have a Energon dispenser in your office?"

The mech hesitated. "I don't have a lab," he told him with a note of displeasure in his voice. Starscream frowned. A scientist without a lab was a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off. Clearly the Autobot scientist was nearly reaching that point of the note of aggravation in his tone was any indication. Starscream was trying to think of his next move when the mech spoke again. "I do have one in my quarters however."

Starscream broke out into a wide smile and he slung an arm around the smaller mech's shoulder. "Lead the way!"

Perceptor was quite aware of the mech following close behind him, very aware of the mech behind him. Starscream possessed quite a presence whether he was in the air or on the ground. It was formidable, that was for sure.

It was such an output of clear self-confidence and assurance that Perceptor had to wonder just what it was that he was doing leading the Decepticon second in command towards his very own room. Many if not all of his Autobot comrades wouldn't have even spoken to Starscream let alone agree to get a drink with the flyer. Truce or no, the Decepticons were a devious lot.

Perhaps that was why Perceptor was so curious when Starscream came to him with his seemingly innocent request to get a drink to celebrate. Starscream was an enigma to the quiet scientist. He had known of him before the war. Starscream and Skyfire had put out many of the most complex and influential reports of their time.

After Skyfire's disappearance however Starscream's had left the oppressing and sometimes harsh science world and had disappeared until the first attack on the Autobots. Perceptor had once put in a quire to Skyfire about his once partner but the hurt, anger and frustration on the larger scientists face was a big enough clue for him to drop it and never bring it up again. Now however Perceptor had had the chance to observe Starscream first hand and he had to admit that Starscream was a very good scientist.

Once the tiny creatures had been discovered it had been he who had created the correct combination of chemicals to counter the parasites. Now Perceptor was able to observe Starscream first hand. He was just nervous about it being in his own private quarters. It was tiny enough as it was, Perceptor wondered if Starscream would be able to fit his wingspan.

It wasn't surprising they hardly encounter anyone in the halls as most were either in quarantine or getting some much needed rest. Perceptor almost hesitated putting his code into the door lock but determinedly pressed the correct buttons in a steady rhythm, not too quick but not too hesitant. Starscream for his part was looking about the hallway of the ARK absently but turned back around at the sound of the door swishing open.

"It's a bit cluttered…" Perceptor began but Starscream's hands were suddenly on his shoulders all but pushing him into his room.

"If you don't have your own lab than I wouldn't expect anything less," Starscream told him and Perceptor ducked his head as the Decepticon seeker took in the cramped and cluttered room.

There was a table that stretched the length of the whole room on one wall and that wasn't including the large writing board that was shoved against the adjoining wall. His berth was almost completely buried under data pads and different pieces of equipment. Perceptor presented a tidy, organized self outside his room but without a lab to accurately organize his experiments it was inevitable that his room was a complete disaster zone. And much to his shame, he was correct in judging Starscream's wingspan. With the table and desk taking up much of the room Starscream almost had to keep his back to the opposite wall if he didn't want to continually bang into it.

"Um, let me get that Energon," Perceptor mumbled and he had to move one of his larger pieces of equipment to get to the dispenser. It took him a while to locate two presentable glasses.

Starscream nodded his thanks as he took the glass offered to him and Perceptor felt the seeker's fingers momentarily cover his own. He quickly looked away and fetched his own glass. "Well," he began as he turned back around only to startle as he found Starscream almost directly in front of him.

Starscream smirked. "Well?"

"Um…" Perceptor looked back down at his cup. "To a job well done."

"Indeed," Starscream chuckled as he looked about Perceptor's cluttered room. "You know we know how to appreciate someone of your… talents," he said after a long pause.

Perceptor frowned. "I highly doubt that."

Starscream lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "Consider it," he drawled. "You wouldn't be shoved into a corner and forgotten about that's for sure."

"I'm quite content here," Perceptor insisted.

"Whatever you say," Starscream chuckled.

Perceptor frowned as he lifted his glass to take a drink when a hand suddenly clamped over his wrist and another took the cup out of his frozen fingers. "Um…"

"It's been two weeks shoved in a room listening to your comrades argue while Hook and your chief medical officer continually called us every five minutes for an update on our non-existent progress," Starscream drawled leaning forward so his face was just inches from the other's own. "Don't tell me you're not frustrated as well."

And Perceptor had to admit the truth that he was. In closed quarters with four other mechs if not more at a time he was overdue to "let out some steam" as the humans were so fond of saying. However he was unclear as to what Starscream was offering.

It became crystal however when Starscream suddenly leaned forward and clamped his mouth over Perceptor's own. Optics brightened in surprise as Starscream leaned back long enough to smirk once more at him before he leaned forward again for another kiss. And Perceptor couldn't help but respond, his arms flexing at his side unsure what to do with them as he focused on the feel of Starscream's figure pressed against his own.

It didn't take long before Perceptor found their positions reversed and he found himself leaning back against the one clear spot on the wall, his cooling fans already whirling at near full speed. Starscream was clearly pleased with himself. "Oh yes," Starscream's voice managed to register in Perceptor's processor. "What's your name anyway?"

The glass of Energon was re-claimed and Perceptor had to admit, Starscream still had a solid presence even with Energon dripping down over his head. He couldn't help it. He burst into laughter. Starscream's look of shock disappeared before his grin returned. "This is going to be fun," he drawled and as the seeker leaned down for yet a third kiss, Perceptor just had to agree.