Inverted Insignia Chapter 18 Migraine

Inverted Insignia
Migraine

Lights came on and Starscream raised his arm. It was bright and his head throbbed. The surgery appeared to have been successful. Although it seemed he had some sensitivity. This could be results from some minor processor damage. He spotted Darkstar sitting in a corner and he attempted to sit up.

“At ease, Cadet,” the older flier ordered. He smiled lightly at the youth and put a datapad he had been reading down.

“My head hurts...” the young flier started. Touching his head on the side the pain was on. It was only one side, isolated - almost in one spot.

“It will, you may have to go easy for a few days. This means we cannot proceed with the pain resistance training.” Darkstar said carefully frowning at the datapad once more.

“Ugh, I wish I had enough of a training basis right now to deal with this headache,” the Seeker grumbled.

The older warrior smiled lightly. “I am sure you do. The medic assures me that you should make a full recovery from the surgery.”

“Providing I do not take head trauma in battle on Friday.” the youth eased himself up just a little. “Or die, I can't recover if I am one with the all spark. “

“That is correct, boy. It is most unfortunate you still heave a headache.” Darkstar stood up and strode over to the platform where the flier rested.

“Why is that?” Starscream asked shifting around, in an attempt to get more comfortable.

“Bad news I am afraid,” Darkstar said with some hesitation. “To ensure your recovery we have you in stasis for five days...” The older flier looked at the datapad once more. “Unfortunately for you, it is Friday.”

Starscream jerked himself upright and his head pounded intensely on the left side. He dropped back down in an attempt to get below the pain. He grimaced and tightly squeezed his optics shut. Raising his arm he attempted to shut out all light.

“Medic warned us you might suffer what he calls a Migraine,” Darkstar rested his hand on the side of the flier's head and emitted a low EMP. The pain rapidly faded from Starscream, settling itself more to the back of his consciousness. It was still there, but not an immediate issue. “I am going to need to teach you how to do that. For now it'll help. Unfortunately this headache or not, you will be fighting tonight. I'll give you another pulse tonight.”

“Wonderful,” the youth commented. “How long am I to suffer this?”

Darkstar did not answer immediately. The medic said the side effects could sometimes recur. It depended on the individual and how much time they had to recover. This was the main factor that governed Darkstar and his trine keeping Starscream out cold for most of the week. “We don't know-could be hours, could be days.”

“When is my fight?” Starscream asked.

“In a couple hours, you better eat.” Darkstar handed the young flier a tray of fuel cubes, a wide variety and more than he usually got at his academy rations. Apparently he was being paid well in being kept fed.

Starscream nodded and took the tray slowly consuming a variety of items. Taking time to savour the taste as his tanks occasionally jerked with anxiety. “Thanks Darkstar, I wish to be alone with my thoughts for now... I'll make my way to the pit shortly.”

The older flier nodded. “I'll be there to give you your 'medicine'” Darkstar stood up and left the chamber.

The room was comfortable. More than he had in the many months he had spent at the academy on the cadet bunks. Here there was room, his wing tips did not hang over the edge, and therefore he was not awakened in the night by his more than clumsy wingmate. To his left was a pile of datapads, stacked aside with a note from Thundercracker. His wingmate had seen to it his work had been collected. Starscream put his tray aside and quickly started working on his late assignments.

*  *  *

Again he was in the staging area of the arena. He was shown to his cell again. Ground Zero greeted him with a smile. Deathrow appeared to size him up once more, as if designing a coffin.

“Welcome to round two, Starscream,” the Battle Master announced. “You survived the first round and you managed to collect a shield and a sword last round, we will allow you to start with a shield and a sword. He handed Starscream the well damaged shield and then gestured to the sword.

The young flier looked at the shield. He checked it over for viability as a defensive tool, but he deemed it useless. He put the shield down. He took the sword and held it. It was definitely too heavy and large for him to utilise effectively. “Can, I make modifications on my weapons?” the youth asked.

“Within reason,” Ground Zero agreed.

“Could I trade?”

“Again, within reason,” he said. “But be careful of your choice. Quality can vary.”

The young flier nodded “I wish to see my options for trade.”

“Deathrow, show the scientist what he can choose.” Deathrow opened up a cabinet with several swords, some different sizes, thickness and materials. These were not fantastic quality blades, being similar in quality and nature to what he already had. There were also a selection of shields, again similar quality. Most were, however, in better condition than the one he used the previous week. For the shield, he chose the 'sister' to the one he used the week before.

As for the sword his choice was more difficult. He was not allowed to choose an energy sword. He would have to win the right to choose such a weapon. For now his choice was fairly basic. He selected a single edged sabre. It appeared to be strong. It had a gently curved blade,  sharp tip and a keen edge. It was well balanced. The hilt was simple, not very exotic looking, with a fully enclosed guard. It came with a simple scabbard.

“Is that your final choice?” Deathrow asked taking hold of the armoury door. Glancing over at the  entry level weapons. He admired that the Seeker chose to trade in for a lighter, faster weapon, and was perhaps a little disappointed. He had hoped the Seeker could utilise the great sword. However, it was chosen to give the Seeker some sort of in combat goal and was never expected to be handed over to a flier -  they did not expect Starscream to live. Had the flier been expected to survive, they might have placed a more suitable weapon.

“Yes, I think this one will do.” Starscream assured as he connected the sword's scabbard to his right hip.

“Just be warned you cannot exchange it until you obtain a better sword.”

“So one exchange only eh? Good to know. If I live long enough to obtain a better sword. Can I steal from my foes?”

Deathrow nodded, yet said nothing.

“Starscream,” Ground Zero called, “You are to report to the arena. You fight now. Good luck.”


*  *  *

Luck would have to be be part of the fight as Starscream had no idea who he was scheduled against.

The young Seeker stepped out of the passage and into the brightly lit arena, armed with a shield tightly grasped in his right hand, so tight his knuckles sparked. The sword at his hip, null rays charged and ready. His slingshot and dagger were also within easy reach. He took several deep breaths in an attempt to clear his head – Darkstar did not show up as he had expected. He could smell tantalising wafts of foodstuffs and his tank gave a nervous flip of anxiety and hunger.  Even though he had eaten, he did not eat what the spectators had and that smelled exciting.

“Welcome, Cybertronians, this evening we have the return of the surprisingly resilient Seeker, Starscream. Who, more by luck than judgement, won last weeks battle; breaking Lockout's fourteen kill streak. Will he be so lucky tonight? I don't think so. Word on the wind says our young Air Cadet sometimes goes by the pseudonym; Silver Snake. So lets welcome Silver Snake Starscream to the field.”

The crowed clapped, giving Starscream some feeling of confidence. The young flier stepped forward into the centre field to wave to the crowd. He forced a smile and attempted to look tough.  He was not sure if it worked, but it felt okay.

“On the other side of the Arena is Deadbeat the daring. Yes, femme and gentlemech we have another fantastic battle between fliers and grounders. Who's life will you bet on? Hard to say, but Silver Snake is a natural pit viper. But Deadbeat has a perfect kill record. With 12 kills.

Now last week, Starscream surprised us by lasting full eight minutes, how long will he last this week? Yet Starscream did not make a kill and allowed his opponent to live. Place your bets! I suggest you don't get lofty ideas and keep your bets well grounded.”

The young flier hissed again at the commentator. He would love to leap up and rip his vocalisers out. He still might one day, if he gets a chance. Starscream scanned the stands until he spotted the old trine and his wingmates. He tapped his head indicating to Darkstar, that the older flier failed in meeting with him to stem what was starting to become a problem. He knew he had to ignore it as best he could.

His opponent, Deadbeat, who stepped onto the field amid the cheers of spectators was not as large or as heavily built as Lockout, yet Starscream figured the other would have some sort of compensating ability. Smaller size often equated to faster speed. Lighter build usually meant fast reflexes. He had no previous knowledge of his opponent, but would learn very shortly.

The two squared off each halfway to the centre. The stood ready to charge once the gong was struck. They stared at each other, sizing the other up as if trying to gain some understanding of hidden abilities, strengths and weaknesses. The young flier charged his weapons.

The bronze gong was struck and the sound reverberated across the arena. The crowd erupted in cheers and roars as Deadbeat sprang into action. Starscream also lunged straight for his foe. As the two encountered each other. Deadbeat revealed he had twin swords. Starscream groaned inwardly. He had to somehow disarm the other and with watching two blades, it could be tricky.

Deadbeat brought down both swords, in duel arcs. Starscream raised his shield to block one and then defended using the sword. His small size allowed him to duck and swing his body around. flicking the sword back against his arm he swing out with his fist and punched his opponent in the face. Enraged, Deadbeat swung at the flier's legs and Starscream leapt into the air. Although he could not fly he could use his thrusters to enable some extra lift.

Deadbeat slammed both fists together, palm to palm and then Starscream learned of the other's ability. He, like Thundercracker, could create some sort of sonic boom. It was more of a silent shock wave, or push of air. This wave sent the Seeker flying backward, head over heals. He hit the dirt with a resonate thud and quickly leapt to his feet.  He could feel his nose running and his head, which had been aching earlier was now throbbing even harder. He touched his nose, realising that it was fluids seeping out. Somehow he ruptured a line, he hoped it was nothing major. It did concern him that may have somehow damaged his head once more.

The enemy charged Starscream and the youth stepped out of the way, and fired his null rays. The shot missed and strayed into the crowd. There was a localised cry out as one of the audience was rendered unconscious. Fortunately the result would last only a couple minutes, although the spectator would probably miss out on the main part of the fight.

“Oh, this is getting more and more interesting,” the commentator interjected. “collateral damage is always part of the intrigue of pit battles. I am receiving word from the Pit Master that the weapons that were discharged are called “Null Rays, and are meant for temporary stasis.”

His head started to spin, lights started to form in his vision, small at first, until they developed into multi-coloured lightning bolts that nearly obscured his vision. His head was pounding in extreme pain. The more activity he did, the worse it became. He realised he would have to end this fight in under five minutes or be killed. Nearly blinded by the migraine's aura he would have to rely more on his other senses.

Deadbeat again charged the Seeker and Starscream met the other's blades with both sword and shield, the shield cracked. He defended and with a twist of his blade, successfully disarmed one sword, sending it flying behind him, this left the other at a disadvantage. The youthful flier's optics flicked to the sword in the dirt, he knew if he could steal weapons form his opponent, that he could own them. Starscream threw the shield away from him and then he gritted his teeth against the nauseating surges then dove behind Deadbeat grasping the second sword. The Seeker twisted his body to face Deadbeat's advance. He crossed the two across his chest  in defence of his opponent's next attack.

Although Starscream had not actually trained in duel weapons, his ambidextrous nature permitted him to quickly adapt to using two. He pushed the swords upward and shoved his opponent back. With a quick leap, he was on his feet once more. His vision darkened as the sudden motion of ground to standing, drained fluids from his brain causing him to nearly black out.

Now blinded by his migraine, Starscream was at a strong disadvantage. He relied upon his ability to interpret energy fields, but even then the ability was being hampered by his condition. Deadbeat and Starscream faced each other, each one circling the other as if trying to determine the best way to proceed. Starscream tried to not show his discomfort, but his face expressed the truth -  he was unwell.

Deadbeat could see the Seeker was injured, bleeding, and having some other unseen issues. But the flier now had a second sword and appeared to be able to utilise them.  Starscream was busy attempting to decide if having two swords would give him an advantage over long ranged  weaponry such as his rifles or his slingshot. He realised his long ranged required perfect vision and he could barely see past the interference of the aura.  However, most grounders would expect a Seeker to default to his preferred ranged weaponry as opposed to close. Starscream toyed with the idea of sheathing his original sword, but thought against it -  he couldn't use ranged even if he wanted to.  

Starscream took the initiative and made an attack, he raised his right arm and then drew his left slashing across the middle. The Grounder blocked both blows. Starscream spun, swinging his wings to create speed and momentum then kicked out, hitting his foe with his foot sending him flying backward into the dirt.

The young flier's vision had narrowed, he lost peripheral and felt more like he was staring down a pair of tin cans. Providing he kept the foe in his forward field of view, there would not be a problem. He swung both swords rapidly as he charged his opponent. Deadbeat raised his weapons and the Seeker, being unable to see other than the centre of his field of vision, Starscream impaled himself upon the blade. His optics flashed scarlet and fluids started to weep out the wound. With an enraged scream, Starscream blindly slashed at the other with his blades.

Deadbeat grinned at the Seeker and twisted the sword, opening the wound wider, allowing greater damage and more fluids to be spilled. Starscream shrieked out, as he did, he located the pain hub and isolated it. As he did he raised the second sword and drove it down at his foe. The Grounder rolled out the way kicking his feet out at the flier, and sending the Seeker off balance to the ground. He wrenched his sword out and licked the fluids off the blade in a gesture of sadistic savagery.  

The youth dropped the sabre as he fell to his back. His head gave a terrible nauseating throb, his tanks kicked into reverse and he expelled their contents onto the dirt. With a small groan, Starscream raised his hand to instinctively to massage his head in an effort to soothe it. He wished the pain would go away, it was going to be his end if it continued to blind him. As he touched the area where it hurt he felt a numbing coolness directly under his fingers. His vision cleared and his pain faded until it was at the back of his mind. He gasped in surprise; somehow he had learned the trick.

Starscream as was so distracted by the revelation, that he did not see his enemy raise his heavy blade and drive it downward into a wing, it was embedded deep into the dirt of the arena floor. Starscream screeched and attempted to jerk away, the blade cut further into his wing, the lines within severed and they started to bleed out onto the floor.

The crowd cheered in anticipation of the Seekers sporting death. The young flier had won a battle, but that was clearly a fluke. This time the flier would meet his end. He glanced up as he heard the crowd crying out “Kill Kill!” he looked at his enemy who had taken the sabre from the ground and was examining the edge.

Starscream glanced in the direction of Darkstar and his wingmates. He looked away having read their expressions. He attempted to raise his other arm, and swing the sword then realised there was a weight on it. He glanced over and realised the Grounder had his foot on his forearm.

Deadbeat cried out “What do you want me to do with this -  pathetic Seeker fledgling!”

“Kill! Kill!” they urged again.

“Sorry it has to end so quickly, Silver Snake Starscream, but the best way to kill a pit viper, is to cut its head off and I have a streak to maintain.”

The sword was raised and the Decepticon started to bring it down. Time appeared to slow and the Seeker tensed up fully, bracing himself for the blow, with fear. He could hear Darkstar in his mind telling him that fear will make it hurt worse. It would only be a second. He could feel his hands release the sword he was still clutching and instinctively grab the foot of his enemy. His wing was no longer a bother, somehow he must have turned the pain hub off.  His focus was on what could be his final nano seconds of  life, he would not willingly give it up without a fight.

He realised his weapons would actually take too long to discharge, he forgot the null rays, he could have used them. He pushed on the foot in an attempt to get it off himself. As he did he felt the tension leave his body, he wondered if he had taken the lethal blow of the sword and his head was detached from his body. There was no apparent pain. Starscream expected oblivion to set in immediately as energy and fluid drained from his head onto the dirt. However, he could still feel his extremities, the ones that he had not previously neutralised. As he turned his head to look up at his foe, he realised his body was still attached. Deadbeat's expression was of pure surprise. The young flier was startled as the sword dropped from his foe's hand and landed in the dirt between his intake and audio.  It was then he realised he wasn't being killed.

The crowed drew in a collective gasp.

Deadbeat cried out in surprise as his leg went numb. Using the same ability that numbed his own pain, he rendered his opponents leg unresponsive. The grounder had much of his weight pinning down the Seeker found himself losing balance and crashing down on the young flier. Starscream used that moment to grab his dagger and hold the blade upward as his enemy fell down onto him. The weight of impact drove his small dagger through plates and into the fuel pump, severing major arteries. And sinking into one of the pump chambers, where the hammer feebly tapped the blade, before slowing to a stop. He watched as the light and colour drained from Deadbeat. There was no argument, the grounder was dead.

“Femmes and Gentlemech, that was an unexpected turn of events. Silver Snake Starscream has claimed victory of his second fight. Such unexpected luck.”

Starscream was unable to move due to the dead weight pinning him down as warm fluids seeped over his chest. Sticky, pungent, strong, the smell was somewhat alluring -  was that what drove pit fighters to savagely kill again and again?  Once more he won. This time more by dumb luck than by actual skill.

Taking his optics offline, Starscream waited for the pit crew to remove the body, and haul him to the medical facility. He sincerely hoped that all his battles would not end with him having to be rebuilt. He had lessons to attend, flight manoeuvres to practice.  There was so much to get done and laying down in recovery was not getting them completed. He felt his body being lifted onto a cart and listened to its squeaky wheels cry out for oil. He absently nodded in agreement with it. He felt like he needed that too.

*  *  *

He recognised that he was in the pit's medical facility, yet instead of a grizzled arena medic, he was greeted by the Academy medic and the old-trine.  “congrats on another win.” Riftwing said softly.

“Pure dumb luck... I... that was very nearly my end.”

Darkstar nodded. “You managed to find your abilities last minute it seems. It'll be easier to teach you how to use them now you know what they are.” Darkstar looked across the injuries. “Wing is easily repaired However we're going to get that head scanned -  at a proper facility. Medivac vehicle is outside to transport you back to Academy Medical.”

“I would have done better if my head was not hurting so bad... I couldn't see very well. It was all, lights and shadows. Sort of looking at a stained window at the temple of Primus, through a tin can. I actually thought being killed would be a pleasant relief at that point.”

“I bet it was uncomfortable, but you came out on top in spite of it all,” Darkstar reassured.

The medic leaned in and shone a light into the Seekers optics. The youth winced but didn't push him away. “Quite a severe form of the migraine, from what you described. You should recover from them. But there is a chance you will continue to get headaches for the rest of your life. Hopefully not as severe.”  

Ground Zero entered the medical bay with the two swords his now deceased opponent used.  “You have won these, they are now yours.” the Battle Master informed the youth, handing them over.

“So, I claimed better tools for the fight, which means I probably will be fighting someone with better weapons... and possibly some poor new fighter,” he said with his hands closing around the weapons that had pink stains on the blade. He realised these to be his own fluids.

“You can pick your new opponent at some point soon, maybe even next week if you desire.” The battle master smiles brightly, anticipating another interesting fight with the flier.  

Starscream only moaned in dismay.

“Ground Zero!” The medic grabbed the Battle Master with such force it surprised both The pit boss and Starscream. He pinned the warrior against the wall. “My patient needs time to heal and he is not to participate in battle next week. He needs a full ten days to recover. You filthy retro-rats might be fine for getting up and fighting in the next round... He has had a significant head injury last week, If you force him to fight, and I will make you hurt in ways you can't even comprehend.”

Ground Zero looked slightly disquieted. Medics, although they were generally pacifists, could inflict pain. Darkstar gave the Arena boss an equally dangerous glare. As the older Seeker once pointed out, medics made the best interrogators. “Okay, one week off. But I can't keep doing that, its against our rules. If he can't survive combat, then its for the best he dies sooner than later.”

“Hey!” Starscream snapped, his voice rising in pitch. “I'm still in the fragging room. I am not some beast to be 'put down'  as soon as its injured.  If I can get time to recover, I would really much like that. For the love of Primus, I am behind in my academics thanks to the last head injury. This pit slag, is going to destroy my standings as a flier, and academics. If you really want a pit fighter for the entertainment of your masses, go get Skywarp. I am sure he'll provide both comic relief and blood for the entertainment of your betting hoards.”

Starscream leaned back down, his head was starting to throb again. He was angry at how much this gladiatorial combat was interfering with his routine. He realised that in order to survive pending fights, he would need to see who was actually in play, who would challenge him, what their strengths and weaknesses were and play with them. It could take more time out of his regular routine, but it would then provide him with an edge of being prepared. Allowing him to win with skill rather than chance and dumb luck. He shook his head and chuckled softly maybe he could still take a brain to a pit fight after all.

The young flier understood that going into combat had another form of teaching to it. It would eventually get him used to going into actual battle, where his life was also on the line, with much less apprehension and fear. Being battle ready would give him more confidence .This would allow him to focus on the mission. As scary as it was, the process of sending officers into battle-like situations had this benefit. And if he was an officer going into a battle situation without showing fear, this would lend strength to his troops. People would more readily follow him into danger if he showed courage. This actually benefited the Decepticon cause.

Starscream realised that after a while a simulation could not actually hurt him. He felt ready for anything, yet once he faced a living opponent in a non simulated field it made him see that he had no option but to avoid damage, when facing an enemy he had to fight. Both parties were interested in survival although he could choose to spare one, he could not count on the other to spare him.

The medical team wheeled Starscream toward the waiting medivac vehicle for its short trip to the academy. He inhaled the air, a hint of dampness with a sharp metalling twang that suggested hints of acid rain. If that was the case, flight training would be grounded. People would use the underground tunnels and passages to get between locations. Seekers would likely remain in their barracks