"What are you waiting for? Destroy Megatron! NOW!" Starscream howled desperately, head shaking as the weight of his decapitated body began to overwhelm him. However none of the remaining clones moved. His optic swam in a mixture of disbelieving rage and pleading.
Then Slipstream stepped forward, and her words shattered any hope left for Starscream and even penetrated his seemingly impenetrable ego. "Any leader has to be an improvement over you!" She wore a confident smirk and turned away from the original she despised to call a "leader". The other clones nodded in agreement.
"Oh wise and great Megatron, you have truly proven your vast superiority!" Sunstorm groveled. Starscream scowled.
"I will remain loyal to you forever," said Ramjet before kicking Starscream's limp body and walked over to Megatron's side.
Starscream's optic twitched. The memory screamed at him like it was just yesterday when he suffered that humiliating defeat. And things just got better from there: being forced to coincide with Megatron in order to escape the vacuum of space and take over Omega Supreme.
Oh, but of course he had to suffer more defeats after that. Starscream was at the mercy of Megatron when he was but a head and even when he regained his body he couldn't fulfill his ultimate goal. He'd tried attacking Megatron a few times on his own again – he literally had as many lives as he could spare – but all ended in failure.
However when he was at the end of Megatron's fusion canon again would he finally resort to desperation and beg for mercy. He pleaded for his life to be spared and in return suffer servitude to that slagger once again. Sure, it was torturous to serve Megatron again, but at least he could try again; it'd have to wait a long time, but eventually Starscream would find the chance to destroy Megatron once and for all . . . Or at least, that was what he planned until she came into the picture.
Slipstream – the clone he found most reliable because of her intellect and deadly nature that nearly outmatched Starscream's own – became involved with Megatron. As far as Starscream was concerned, Slipstream was the first to betray him, but at least she highlighted his unique traits that Megatron could use to his advantage (despite mentioning Starscream was probably untrustworthy, so he might as well slag him anyway).
Starscream hoped that he may be able to convince his clones to follow him again when the time came to slag Megatron. But now that was not an option.
Slipstream is Megatron's mate.
When the clones no longer followed Starscream, they joined Megatron. However they didn't look to him as a leader like they did Slipstream. They were clones – no, more than just clones, but like family to each other; when Starscream's leader role was stripped of him, the other clones seemed to look to Slipstream instead. So now how was Starscream going to win over their alliance against Megatron?
Starscream clenched his servos into fists furiously.
Slipstream is Megatron's mate.
Starscream thought he could hardly stand the knowledge that Megatron dared to fondle with his femme clone. He thought being presumably the only one aware of their very subtle relationship (assuming Megatron-worshippers like Shockwave or Lugnut didn't know, otherwise keeping quiet upon their leader's demand) was torturous indeed; knowing that every time Slipstream visited their leader that they were doing anything he felt sick to imagine.
The seeker thought keeping his mouth shut was difficult. Naturally he always jumped to opportunities like these in his everlasting attempt to conquer Megatron. But after a few threats and plenty of reminding of his fate being sealed at any sign of treachery, he complied and said nothing. He thought this was difficult indeed.
But all of that paled in comparison to when Megatron actually announced it to every other Decepticon. Starscream didn't know why the daft tyrant chose now, but he didn't care to ask. Now everyone knew – with that another opportunity was lost. The seeker knew Megatron was aware of the consequences and that the Autobots would discover sooner or later.
Slipstream is Megatron's mate.
It angered Starscream – no, it infuriated him. Slipstream was his! His clone! His creation! The fact that she mated with Megatron just made it worse. Starscream's clone with his rival; a piece of him with the one he hated most. You'd think that a clone of Starscream's wouldn't be so attracted to someone he despised.
Before he thought Megatron making his relationship with Slipstream public wouldn't be so bad. But now . . . now with everyone else knowing . . . Starscream grimaced. Things would definitely a whole lot more difficult, he thought. Before Slipstream was just another soldier, and now the second most important Cybertronian in the Decepticon army; a huge threat to Starscream's rise in power so that his plans may actually succeed.
Slipstream is Megatron's mate.
Starscream didn't care to scheme right now. Coping with this fact felt impossible. Now he was truly alone. He hated to admit it but Megatron was right: being a loner against one of the most powerful tyrants didn't work out for him.
The seeker sat on the cliffs that made up the outer shell of the Decepticons' secret base. In a way it felt ironic to choose such a spot as this for comforting silence and isolation when deca-cycles ago he'd fled from these cliffs to escape Slipstream's obvious answer when Megatron asked her to be his forever. Starscream shrugged the feeling off. At least no one else came here.
To his surprise he and Megatron seemed to think alike. Down below on a less ragged surface Megatron usually stood everyone now and then during the night. He probably did the same thing Starscream did: silent contemplation. Not being alone on some nights irked Starscream, but he wouldn't voice his complaints for obvious reasons.
Starscream stood up. "Megatron may lose his grip on that 'leash' with Slipstream to distract him, but now one of my own clones stands in my way." Starscream sighed. "Puh, it's only a matter of time before they spark-bond now." Starscream narrowed his optics and grimaced in disgust at the thought. He thought back, remembering Megatron's smirk when he announced his relationship, as if silently taunting Starscream, 'It angers you, doesn't it? Might as well get used to it. It's only going to get better from here on.'
He gritted his denta and slammed his fisted servo into the rock. "You think you've won, haven't you Megatron?" he growled, imagining the damaged rock being the silver tyrant. Starscream shot his twin blasters at the rock until it collapsed into shattered pieces. Oh how he wished that was Megatron instead – Megatron and Slipstream. "Traitor." He kicked one of the pieces and watched it tumble down.
Suddenly Starscream widened his optics in realization. A small grin formed. "Yes, it is going to get better." He didn't know much about spark-bonding, though he knew enough to know it could mean Megatron's ultimate downfall. With spark-bonding, the two Decepticons would, in a way, become almost like one – sharing a bond that granted them mutual emotions and maybe even a life force. His grin grew into a smirk. 'Supposing I manage to slag that traitorous Slipstream . . . just what may happen to poor old Megatron?'
Brilliant! Why hadn't he thought of this before? Starscream knew taking Megatron down was nearly an impossible task (considering all those failed attempts), but he could take Slipstream. 'Hmm, but she has an All-spark shard, like me.' Starscream shrugged. Oh well, removing it wouldn't be hard. He imagined her limp body draining of color and life, Megatron soon following; and even if that didn't happen, he'd still devastatingly damaged the silver mech.
Starscream abandoned the cliffs as he transformed and took off. He remembered the slagging curfew issued upon him, but that didn't ruin his good mood.
For deca-cycles Starscream pretended he never had a scheme forming every cycle as he carried out missions with the same this-is-a-waste-of-my-fragging-time attitude. However he decided to play nice around Slipstream. 'Course, she'd assume is was for his own benefit, which Starscream wanted; though it felt just as degrading playing a suck-up for his own clone as much for when he did for Megatron.
'It'll be worth it,' he always told himself, then and now. He only hoped Megatron didn't suspect anything. Sure, most of the time Starscream thought it was just pure paranoia for the warlord to watch Starscream's every move, but then again if someone had constantly tried to offline him he wouldn't be too keen to trust either.
At least he was damn good at showing no sign of what he planned to do – and no one showed any sign of thinking he may strike so early. On several occasions Starscream had to wonder if attacking so soon would be a good idea, but he shrugged it off. He decided to grab the opportunity now.
After all, they didn't do much out of the secret base for a while, which meant they had little to no trouble with the Autobots in the neighboring city for now. With both factions settled down for the time being, Starscream had little doubt Megatron wouldn't jump on this opportunity with Slipstream.
The only thing that troubled Starscream was discovering if and when the two may actually spark-bond. He knew Megatron wouldn't want to make some parts of his relationship so public, especially not to someone like Starscream.
Starscream abandoned his security position when plenty of others were there and really had no need for him in the first place (Megatron just giving him something to do, obviously). There were no protests behind him and even if there were, he'd ignore them. The seeker made his way toward his quarters. However he stopped when Blitzwing walked past him, heading in the opposite direction.
An idea popped into his processor. 'Skywarp . . .' He knew that the youngest, cowardly clone was closest to Slipstream than the other clones. Perhaps he'd possibly be informed the most on what happens to the femme clone? Starscream smirked. Interrogating the coward would be a breeze.
Heh, it was just too easy! As if Primus was offering victory for the seeker at last on a silver platter!
"We'll see who's won," Starscream whispered hoarsely and continued walking to his quarters.
Skywarp slightly trembled. Well, he always did with most of his patrol partners. But many of those said partners didn't scare him like Starscream did. Slag, it was beyond the cowardly seeker why his creator volunteered to accompany him when everyone else was too busy with other duties, but it scared him. Starscream never volunteered for anything!
Skywarp didn't look it but he was smarter than he looked. Only everyone assumed he may not be too bright if he was scared of everything. Though sometimes he wished he wasn't intelligent enough to know Starscream was most likely up to something, regardless if it involved him or not. Oh, why couldn't he be blessed with blissful ignorance?
The other Decepticons found the seeker's behavior odd too, but shrugged it off. After all, it wasn't their problem. Skywarp didn't bother to hide his fear, but said nothing to accuse Starscream out of cowardice and a small amount of doubt. He supposed he could run away fast enough if his suspicions were correct.
Starscream rolled his optics at the trembling Decepticon and transformed. He didn't wait for the other and took off. Nano-clicks after Skywarp came soaring behind.
To Skywarp's dismay a thick cloud of fog nearly engulfed the bottom of the mountain and slowly seeped its way up toward the seekers. Blast this planet and its strange weather patterns! Patrol would definitely be far more difficult.
The flight remained silent for most of the time; only when Starscream started muttering to no one in particular, "These patrols are utterly useless. As if we'll find any Autobots anytime soon and what threat do the humans pose?" He continued muttering other things, though Skywarp ignored them.
They rounded near the mountain top. Starscream flew ahead, though Skywarp hardly minded. However once he came to the other side he stopped. Starscream was gone.
"Um . . . Starscream?" Skywarp murmured. He transformed and remained in a fixed spot in mid-air, looking around for the other seeker. Oh dear . . . Skywarp hovered away from the rocky cliff-face, wondering if he should just leave and assume Starscream would return later. After all, it wouldn't be the first time the former SIC abandoned a mission or job and returned later, indifferent of Megatron's anger.
Suddenly another engine besides his own roared and before the coward could look above a pair of ignited pedes came hurtling down onto his back. Skywarp cried out of surprise and found himself being pushed down toward the ground. He braced himself for impact and he blacked out momentarily once hitting the ground harshly.
When consciousness began to return, Skywarp opened fire blindly upon the instinct to escape his enemy's clutches and flee. He looked to find his mystery attacker, but the surrounding fog provided the perfect cover. No other could be seen in sight, though Skywarp could make out heavy pedes; from where he couldn't determine.
Skywarp sat up, looking around momentarily, and then raised his pedes. He ignited the boosters. Fortunately much of the fog blew away. However a blast came from behind. Skywarp yelped and if it weren't for his wings he'd fall to the side. Quickly he jumped back onto his pedes.
A faintly visible shape already came toward him. Starscream crashed into Skywarp and threw him down onto his back. Skywarp widened his optics. "S-Starscream?"
"Slipstream shares more information with you than anyone else, yes?" he snapped, aiming his null ray at the other's face.
Skywarp hesitated to reply, but the glow of Starscream's null ray discouraged failure to cooperate. The cowardly clone gulped, answering almost with a squeak, ". . . Yes. Why are you – ?"
"Then tell me, have they bonded yet?"
It didn't take a genius to know what Starscream meant. But why would he want to know that? However Skywarp was too scared to ponder any further. Starscream wore a scowl that conveyed his thinning patience and intolerance for any lies. However Skywarp wasn't entirely sure he knew the answer himself! He never bothered to ask something like that and despite there were signs he couldn't be positive he was correct.
But a quick shot to the ground, just inches away from his helm, gestured him to hurry up and answer. "I-I don't know! Honest!"
Starscream cupped the other's chin in his servo and forced his face closer to the end of his null ray. "That's not good enough. You know something."
Skywarp shook, completely terrified of the one standing on top of him. Despite he hated to betray a fellow clone, Starscream's null ray was all too convincing. He might as well give him what he wanted – or at least what he wanted to hear. He didn't know if Starscream could tell if he lied, but he'd rather not take the chance.
"I-It's likely . . . I th-think so . . ." Starscream didn't seem content with the answer and Skywarp added, "I think Slipstream might've mentioned something about Megatron making her get a check-up on her shard a few solar-cycles ago!" A cycle later the null ray removed.
Smirking triumphantly, Starscream stood up after mockingly patting the other's helm. He began to walk away. However he stopped as Skywarp sat up and turned around. "If you value your life you'll keep this our little secret." At that he transformed – however he stopped just as he began to fly away. A thought crossed his processor and a cycle later he towered over Skywarp again.
"Maybe you'll be further use to me," he sniggered, much to Skywarp's dismay. His vocals left him to quiver under the other, panicking at the thought of what he planned to do with him.
Suddenly a sliced one of Skywarp's wings in half and thus received a wail of pain and a wingtip sitting at his pedes.
Starscream recalled the solar-cycle he first joined the Decepticons. Despite he still felt the heated stinging of his new Decepticon insignias, he beamed with pride. Like any other new recruit he shined with confidence and ambition. His skills in science and battle were admirable, so it wasn't surprising for someone like him to rise all the way to Second-in-Command. And with his ranks his ego and desire for power grew.
The treacherous seeker felt that now. He relished how well things had gone so far; while not totally in his favor, he still managed to manipulate them to work up to this time now: he stood up on the cliffs that he usually did when he craved isolation. Down below a flightless Skywarp lay battered on the surface and waiting for the target ruefully.
After slicing the other wing just in case and adding a few more dents to increase the urgency, Starscream ordered the other to stay put. He took control of Skywarp's comm. link and mimicked the coward's shaky vocal to issue a distress call to Slipstream.
Then he ignited his boosters and flew higher up. Now he just had to wait.
Starscream chuckled to himself. 'You're right I can't do this alone, Megatron. Good thing obedient cowards come in handy.'
Starscream stood rigid once he heard something in the far off distance and soon rise in volume. He silently praised the recreation of Sumdac's energy signal dampener. Despite he couldn't tell if it was Slipstream coming 'round, the fact that she wouldn't know he patiently waited for her demise was good enough for the seeker – assuming it was Slipstream coming, of course.
Oh well, Starscream figured Skywarp wouldn't tell anyone anyways should his plan backfire.
To his delight a turquoise harrier jet zoomed right past him. He crouched lower as a precaution, though still managed to peer over a boulder.
"Skywarp!" Slipstream shrieked as she transformed in mid-air and landed inches away from the other. When no response came, she hoisted the battered seeker onto his pedes. "What happened?"
Starscream sprung up to full height and aimed his null ray. It's now or never! The seeker smirked. At last his chance at victory was practically standing there – and it was too easy! He noticed while Slipstream held her sibling by a single arm and looking for a culprit, Skywarp shot a pleading look saying, 'Please don't hurt her!' Starscream activated his null ray.
Then everything after that seemed to happen in slow motion:
Skywarp's optics widened in shock – but not in terror of a blast coming straight for an oblivious Slipstream (who he couldn't see being able to dodge the shot if he screamed out warning now).
Starscream made a single shot, only to be hit terribly on the side of his helm at the same time. Upon impact his aim shifted and there was no stopping as the blast flew inches away from the desired target. After that the seeker stumbled and fell, sensing a looming presence behind him.
At seeing the form behind Starscream knock him off balance, Skywarp took the chance and wailed, "Behind you!" Slipstream looked behind and gaped in horror. She felt a tug and Skywarp tried his best to pull the both of them back to distance them from the incoming attack as much as possible. Comparing the speed between them moving (or more like falling over) and the blast that was already impacting the ground, he doubted they'd escape without a scratch.
And indeed did some of the blast sear against Slipstream's armor plating; instinctively she did her best to cover Skywarp.
Starscream looked up with a snarl at his attacker, though the other seemed more concerned with the two seekers below. He took this opportunity to scurry a few feet away and then jump back to his pedes to face the mystery attacker. He widened his optics. Too late did he notice that the attacker was Megatron.
Starscream stepped back. Oh slag . . . Oh slag . . . Not so early! He wasn't supposed to know a thing! He still held his rays but had no intention of attacking any time soon. How could Megatron have known he'd attack and react just in time to ruin everything?
As if reading his thoughts, Megatron turned to face the seeker and grimaced. "Do you take me for a fool? Come to think of it, I suppose you do." Starscream had no response, so he allowed the silver tyrant to continue. "You're a fool yourself for thinking you could actually pull this off successfully."
The only word that Starscream choked was, "How . . ?"
"I've been keeper a sharper optic on you more than you may think. I thought you may possibly attempt another attack, though I never anticipated so soon."
"You still couldn't have known! This place –"
"I'm well aware of your solitary visits to this spot, my terribly over-arrogant 'friend'. And I've noticed you like to talk to yourself up here."
Starscream's optic twitched. This wasn't supposed to happen!
Every time he thought he remained undetected up on these cliffs just above his commander, it turned out his every move was being watched no matter where he was! It occurred to him that, from Megatron's last sentence, he must have put surveillance here somewhere without him knowing. Frag, Megatron knew this was coming.
And now Starscream was slagged.
Megatron wouldn't spare him again. After attempting so damn early to destroy Megatron through his mate, there was no way in the universe he would be given another chance. Now not even his clones could highlight any key skills he possessed knowing how much of a threat he really was.
The seeker calculated his odds in fighting Megatron here and now. If he tried, he felt he had a higher chance of failing. He'd tried destroying him by destroying Slipstream first, and quite possibly taking Skywarp with them – oh, Megatron would be terribly merciless.
For another moment they just stood there, glaring at each other and waiting for the time to make their own move. Just then they both darted their heads to the direction of Slipstream and Skywarp; Slipstream's leg was injured. Megatron looked hesitant to leave Starscream so that he could finish him off, but he still abandoned their would-be-battle-and/or-chase and flew to his mate's aid instead.
Starscream didn't waste a single nano-click and shot into the air, transformed, and fled the scene immediately.