Seekers In Training. (working title)

Prologue.

A/N: This is a sequel to the story Seeker In Crisis, and I would recommend you to read this first (if you have not already), or you are unlikely to understand just what is going on.

Once Starscream downloaded all the information on how to fly, and gave them a quick lesson in what body part did what in flight, Sam and Bumblebee sent their understanding and took flight. Sam thought that if it were that easy, they'd be able to retrieve the bodies of Thundercracker and Skywarp in no time.

By the time they managed to get to their destination, Sam had found out the hard way that turning theory into practice was not that easy. Thanks to Starscream's insistence that they fly low – meaning they had to steer clear of populated areas, – the numerous minor crashes and miscalculations the two new Seekers suffered only caused surface dents and scratches. Sam decided that Starscream's crash course in flight had been just that, with the emphasis on crash.

Starscream had decided that the Autobot Base was the best place to take Sam and Bumblebee. They had friends there, and perhaps Ratchet the medic could help explain things for them. His own Base was deserted, unless Barricade had returned, which was unlikely, and even if he had, his two new wing brothers had outstanding issues with the black and white grounder. In addition, the Autobots were likely to have energon, and might even be able to obtain aviation fuel, whereas Starscream had neither, nor any way to obtain either, at least not without risking getting shot at.

Landing without crashing was another hurdle the two new Seekers had to overcome, one Starscream helped with by insisting they stay in robot form and then helping them to land by holding them steady, first Bumblebee while Sam flew around in a circle, and then Sam immediately after. As he finished steadying Sam, he noticed that their arrival had not gone unnoticed: Optimus, Ratchet and the two Lamborghini Twins were watching them through the half-open gate. Recalling his precipitous departure, he only moved forwards by two steps, comming Sam and Bumblebee to stay back, and then stopped and dipped his body in a shallow bow.

"Greetings, Autobots, I apologise for leaving in such a hurry and so rudely, and for threatening one of your mechs. I trust he is unharmed?"

"Yes, Hound has suffered no permanent damage, but what of you, Starscream, and who are your two companions?" The speaker was Ratchet, and as he spoke his sharp optics roved over Starscream's body, looking for any damage.

"I was not of sound mind when I left you, but the explanation of what happened, and of the origin of my two new wing brothers, will take some explaining," the Seeker said. He paused, and ran his glossa briefly over his derma. "It would probably be explained easier over a cube of your excellent energon."

Ratchet's lips quirked in a brief smile: this eloquent conniver was the Starscream he knew, and he had to admit he was curious about how Starscream had gone from desperate and suicidal lone Seeker back to the rogue he recalled from before the war. Not to mention where his oddly-familiar but unknown trine mates had come from. He indicated for Ironhide to open the gates - after giving Optimus a querying look and received a nod in response - and said "Then come in, and we will all listen over cubes of energon." His gaze flicked to the two unknown mechs. "That invitation applies to your new companions as well. Perhaps we can exchange a cube of energon in exchange for their names?"

"All will become clear as we explain, or rather as I explain, for I have reason to believe these two may be in need of recharge." He stepped aside and nodded to Ratchet. "Scan them, I think you will find their energy levels are low." Ratchet did scan, although the way the two unknown Seeker's optics were semi-shuttering and their shoulders and wings were drooping were enough by themselves to decide Ratchet. His scans merely confirmed his observations and Starscream's suggestion, that the energy levels of the black and yellow Seeker and the silver and blue Seeker were so low that he feared they might slip into recharge where they stood.

"Come on then, medbay first for energon and recharge, at least for these two, then I suggest we meet in a conference room to listen to what Starscream has to tell us," Ratchet said.

Optimus nodded, and as the two Lamborghini Twins turned to go back in, Optimus fell into step behind them. Ratchet indicated that the Seekers should follow the Prime, and he brought up the rear.

As they all trooped into the med bay, Ratchet squeezed ahead to pull open the biggest recharge unit in the place. "I think there's room for you both in here," he said. Starscream, who had been thinking he'd need to tell Ratchet to allow the two to sleep together, nodded approvingly.

Sam and Bumblebee both climbed in, and snuggled up to each other. They had thought about telling Ratchet themselves who they were but decided against it. All it would likely do is confuse the issue initially and delay their recharge while they tried to explain how and why. Starscream had assured them by com that he would disclose their identity and explain the circumstances of their change carefully, while explaining his own story.

Sam looked up through half-shuttered optics, and was just about to thank Ratchet, but his new body had had enough. Before he could utter a sound, he dropped into recharge.