Chapter One
I.
As soon as he walked in, he knew something was wrong. It was quiet; too quiet. His entire system was on high alert. Making his way to his quarters slowly and carefully, he scanned for signs of activity. Suddenly, he saw a silver hand shoot out of nowhere and grip his neck in vise-like hold. His vocal processor was almost unable to function.
"Welcome back, loyal commander".
The voice belonged to Megatron. The emphasis on the word loyal indicated his belief that Starscream continued to plot against him.
"Megatron! I…ahhh…no! Please…"
Starscream couldn't believe it. He was so close! Who had betrayed him? His protests were useless. Dragged, kicking and pleading, he saw he was being taken to the main conference room where the entire Deception force on Earth had been assembled.
"What's going on, Megatron!?' The panic was overwhelming his entire system.
"I've called the troops here to witness" Megatron paused to point his fusion cannon at his chest, almost directly over his face "your execution."
Starscream was speechless-almost. He twisted and turned, searching the crowd for the one Decepticon that could have given him up.
Soundwave.
As usual, his face expressed no emotion. He simply stood near the front, waiting.
If I survive this, I will personally dismantle you piece by piece over a smelting pool, Starscream silently promised.
"Do you have any last words?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about! I have never betrayed" he shot a look of pure hatred to Soundwave "our cause or you".
"I have evidence to the contrary".
"All lies! Show it to me!" His vocal processor was returning to normal.
"I believe it, so it must be true. Showing it to you is irrelevant and a waste of time"
"It is my right, under Cybertron law! I demand you allow me to defend myself!"
It was true. Megatron looked around the room. The mood had changed. He had been forced into a corner. He let him go, but not before momentarily squeezing his vocal processor painfully.
"As you wish".
Starscream rubbed his neck. Megatron went to the console where he pressed a button. A video began to play. It was Shockwave, reporting to Megatron, in the logical and impassionate manner that was typical of him, detailing each and every instance Starscream had gone to Cybertron without authorization.Starscream was astounded at first, then relieved. He laughed. Megatron looked stunned. What was Starscream up to?
"This? This is your proof? Oh Primus, I can't believe it!"
The entire room was stunned, except for Skywarp.
Only Starscream would laugh at a time like this, he thought in admiration.
Starscream, looking at Soundwave, who seemed to waver for a moment, walked to the console and downloaded the data he carried into the mainframe. Megatron was momentarily taken by surprise. When he finished, Starscream glanced at Soundwave again, who stepped forward, ready. It's about time. I'll deal with you later, Starscream fumed to himself.
Images taken by Elita's operatives were displayed. Rows and rows of clones in stasis were being shown; Seeker clones. The room was filled with the buzz of everyone speaking excitedly, particularly the Seekers, who didn't take kindly to Shockwave's mutiny.
"That's what your loyal Guardian of Cybertron been up to-he's been making his own personal army. Oh yes, mighty Megatron, while you've been listening to him poison your mind against me, he's been plotting to overthrow you!" he shouted.
Megatron was shocked. It was true. He had every intention of sending Starscream to the slag pit based on Shockwave's report only to find it was Shockwave who was the traitor. Starscream knew that he had avoided being terminated, but just barely. He glared at Soundwave again. He stepped forward.
"It is true. Starscream has been gathering evidence" Soundwave droned.
"You? You were…" Megatron asked
"Yes, I discovered Shockwave's plan and told Soundwave. We were waiting for more information so I went to Cybertron to get it. I had to be certain".
The room was exploded with voices. Shockwave? Making a power plays? A traitor?
Megatron was in turmoil. So it's true. Shockwave was plotting to against him and he had nearly executed Starscream as a result of his report. Nothing he had ever said could be trusted.
"SILENCE!"
The room was quiet.
"I will deal with this. Soundwave…" he looked at Starscream, regretting his mistake "and Starscream will be in charge until I return, Come with me". He motioned them to his ready room.
Starscream look around the room with a sneer on his face and walked out behind Soundwave.
xxx
Thundercracker and Skywarp were in their bunk going over what just happened.
"I thought he was slag for sure" Thundercracker marveled.
"Looks like you thought wrong" Skywarp answered.
"It explains everything-like where he went every time he took off alone".
Maybe not everything, Skywarp thought.
"Or that disc you dropped" Skywarp added.
"How does he do it?"
"He good at what's called multi-tasking. You should try it some time".
"I don't see you multi-tasking-in fact, I don't see you doing much of anything".
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"It means", Thundercracker said with a grin, "that you're a lazy, no-good, worthless..."
"Hey! Watch it-I didn't call you any names".
Thundercracker got off his bunk. He paced restlessly.
"I'm bored".
"What else is new?"
"Think we'll be able to get out after the boss leaves?"
"I don't see why not. Screamer's never forced us to stay in. He knows what it's like".
"What do you think the boss is going to do to Shockwave?"
Skywarp looked at him, his optics dark.
"I wouldn't trade places with faceless drone for all the energon in universe. He was expecting it from Screamer, not from that piece of slag. He looked like he was gonna go nuclear".
"Let's go see what's going on".
"Why?"
"Got anything more important to do?"
Skywarp looked around. He was right-there was nothing to do.
"Rumble might have some high grade. Let's go see if we can take it from him".
"You're on".
II
Skyfire contacted Elita-One in her bunker in Cybertron.
"Elita".
"Go ahead, Skyfire".
"Where's Springer?"
Why is he asking? Is it time?
"With the other Wreckers."
"You and Springer are to go on stand-by. Immediately".
So it's true. It was time. The anticipation in her system began to grow.
"Acknowledged".
Elita walked out of her office and into the main room. All activity stopped. Her cell was aware that something was in the works. They looked to her, expectantly.
"Everyone" Elita announce. "We're on stand-by."
"As of when?" Chromia asked.
"As of right now".
The room exploded.
Chapter 2 should be up either tonight or early tomorrow.
