The roar of an engine broke the silence, a figure soaring toward the surface of the moon, soon followed by the shifting of robotic parts. A silhouetted metallic creature landed onto the barren surface gracefully. Red optics glared at the wasted remains of the Nemesis, standing still for a cycle longer as if in anticipation for something to jump out; it wouldn't be the first time. When nothing landed the figure walked slowly in the general direction.
He scowled at the ruins he despised to call home once again. But it was his best rendezvous point.
As he stepped through one of the large crevices that scarred the ship and stood among scattered debris on the fractured floor, memories of that ninja-bot and bounty hunter arriving shortly after his escaping the Autobots flooded into his processor. As a precaution his null rays glowed a dim pink, just in case anyone may jump out to attack.
When the seeker first fled the failed attack earlier, he dared not stop whether Megatron was in pursuit or not. Apparently Starscream was safe by the time he exited the city's airspace, but even then he wouldn't dream of escaping the tyrant's wrath unless flying into space and landing on the moon. But even if Megatron wouldn't be able to catch him, no doubt he'd reinstate the bounty over his head.
When Starscream returned to the Decepticons, the bounty had been revoked; now he can kiss that luxury goodbye.
The seeker grimaced. What went wrong? How could he have failed so miserably?
Starscream kicked away a piece of rubble in agitation and walked further into the ship. He really should have known! Enveloped in his visions of standing over Megatron's lifeless shell, he dove right into the plan too quickly and eagerly! He didn't bother to think of anything less than a total victory and ponder the details thoroughly to guarantee a success!
Starscream thought back. He always seemed to jump into things without thinking enough about the consequences or if he actually had a chance of failing (which always turned out to be far greater than the chances to succeed). He was too eager to win, always thinking about the future he intended without thinking about the present to set said future in motion.
The seeker shook his head. "No time for dwelling over that. Best to prioritize, first." Starscream stopped in front of the same computer console he'd used before. The last thing he remembered being broadcast on here was Megatron's announcement for the bounty being raised.
Thinking about that reminded him he couldn't stay in the Nemesis for long. Maybe a solar-cycle or two, but then . . . Well, he'll think about that later. In fact, wasn't Megatron planning to be using this eventually for that new project?
He frowned, wondering if he should check to see if the bounty was already reinstated. After settling himself in the chair, Starscream's digits flew across the keypad until the screen buzzed to life. White light replaced the black screen. Nothing happened as he waited – no one appeared on the screen to announce Starscream was a dead mech walking again.
After a few more cycles of nothing Starscream turned the screen off and walked away.
'Okay, for now I'm still safe.'
Starscream looked to either side of him, imagining how this hall was once lined with at least a dozen clones waiting to be onlined. Until Megatron destroyed them all . . . The seeker looked around the hallway again. If this ship would be useful for Megatron in the future, he might as well destroy it.
He sure hoped there may still be explosives left in the cargo among this ship that was instantly forgotten during all of these events. Luckily most of the storage was in the back of the ship – the part that wasn't buried deep within the moon's surface. Starscream rummaged through the small supply of whatever the ship still carried and found a set of deactivated explosives. It would be a simple matter to activate them.
The seeker ventured to different corners of the ship and, after activating them through a short process, placed one explosive onto the metal floor. He broke through certain sections in order to reach the bridge of the ship and places near that. Eventually all of the explosives were placed to his liking; at best the majority of the Nemesis wouldn't be spared.
Starscream walked back to the same hallway with the last explosive wrapped in his servo. He stopped in the middle, activated the device, and placed it gently onto the floor.
Then there came a beeping noise. Starscream looked up to see a small flashing light on the keypad of the computer. "A broadcast . . ." he murmured as he came up to the keypad and depressed the flashing button. A nano-click later the screen automatically buzzed to life with white overtaking the black.
Soon Megatron's faceplates appeared on screen.
Starscream rolled his optics. 'Here we go.'
"To all those receiving this broadcast, the bounty over the traitor Starscream has been reinstated," the silver tyrant announced. Despite being a sort of vain gesture, the seeker mimicked yawning to convey his boredom. After all, it's not like he hadn't heard this nonsense before.
Starscream found himself shoving all the earlier uncertainties out of his processor, replaced by his ego. The seeker was resourceful enough! He didn't have much to worry about. Heh, how could the daft fool even believe that reinstating the bounty would accomplish anything? It didn't work before, it probably wouldn't work again. Starscream smirked. They wouldn't even have the Nemesis to investigate this time!
On the bottom of the screen a visual of the award's amount – having been doubled again – appeared. Starscream narrowed his optics. "Oh, I think I'm worth far more than that."
"An added bonus to anyone who also brings Quintesson Interrogation Pack along with Starscream in shackles."
Starscream's optics widened. QIPs weren't as common as they used to be, at least not anywhere near sectors they'd be familiar with, and outlawed in many places, including Cybertron; and usually only available exclusively in black markets of certain planets. They were assortments of torture devices – and damn effective too.
Though it was hard to catch, when Megatron finished the sentence, the seeker noticed his optic twitch just slightly. It suddenly occurred to Starscream that his assassination attempt fragged Megatron off far more than he thought. Starscream had stepped over the edge; and asking for torture devices was a clear gesture.
Not to mention that fact he couldn't go offline without removing his All Spark fragment meant Megatron could have as much fun torturing him as he pleased . . . Starscream could be tortured for solar-cycles or even longer; until Megatron finally got his revenge on him for trying to offline Slipstream (and, to an extent, Megatron himself).
"Oh slag . . ."
"Oh, and Starscream," said the Decepticon warlord. Starscream was taken aback, as if Megatron was literally looking right at him. "If you're watching this broadcast, which I'm sure you are, no amount of begging will grant you any more mercy than you deserve. I will make sure you regret this." Fierce determination burned in his vocalizer. And at that, the broadcast was cut.
As if a natural reflex Starscream turned the screen off, still staring wide-opticed at his own reflection now shown. Slag . . . Starscream was in for it now . . .
He wondered how much time he had now, before countless bounty hunters would be jumping onto this grand payday like a starving organic carnivore.
"I-It's not like they'd get one anyway . . ." he stuttered to himself, though only half-believing his words. As mentioned, QIPs were rare as far as they were concerned, but would some still go the distance for an extra reward? He knew some that would.
Then again, what about Swindle? Starscream didn't know if he possessed such equipment, and feared if he did. Megatron would definitely be looking to buy. And with that, why bother demanding it from the bounty hunters? Surely the silver tyrant could afford to claim one himself?
Then what was the purpose of mentioning it? To scare or discourage Starscream? This is just one of Megatron's stupid mind games, then. But he highly doubted that Megatron was just bluffing; he wanted Starscream to suffer.
"Argh, stop thinking about it!" Starscream turned around, shaking his head. "You won't even get caught. Slag, you better not get caught."
He noticed the explosive on the ground before him, still waiting to be detonated, along with all the others. He should be leaving now.
But then, where would he go? Normally he wouldn't worry about it too much, but with Megatron's new threat, Starscream supposed he should think things through better.
The Autobots were out for obvious reasons; he doubted he could trust anyone even remotely near this sector. It dawned on Starscream that he really did have no one. But he may need help . . . Starscream searched his memory banks for anyone.
. . . What about . . ? "No." Starscream shook his head. "He won't help." Starscream pondered anyone else, though no one else came up. But . . . he couldn't ask him for help! Not after everything that's happened!
Starscream turned back to the computer. Then again his old friend – for lack of a better word – was far more forgiving than him. But also an Autobot. The seeker stared at the keypad for what felt like mega-cycles. Finally, after convincing himself that he should take the risk, he began typing in a transmission code; he could only help his old friend hadn't changed it.
A cycle later, the screen came back online. At first it was blank, but then someone stepped into view. They looked both surprised and confused, probably since the transmission was coming from a Decepticon vessel. Though Starscream could usually count on him to keep secrets.
"S-Starscream?" the mech stuttered, completely dumbfound to be seeing Starscream again. His metal brow furrowed at seeing how Starscream looked almost as if desperate.
Starscream forced a small smile on his face and replied calmly, ". . . Hello, Skyfire. Long time, no see . . ."
Megatron depressed a switch and both the broadcast offlined and the screen went blank. Heavy pedes came behind him and he needn't turn around to know who came behind. "What's the status of Slipstream's injury, Shockwave?"
"It's not severe, however since our army lacks any trained medics, we can't heal it right away. Though I don't think it's anything to worry about: at worst Slipstream won't be walking on it."
Megatron turned and nodded. ". . . And Skywarp?"
"He is a far different story," said Shockwave ruefully. "His damages are great. The most I can guarantee is that he has little chance of actually going offline."
He nodded again and dismissed the 'Con.
Megatron recalled a time no too long ago when Slipstream mentioned how paranoid he was about Starscream. Ironic that his paranoia worked in his favor this time. Though one thing he found surprising was how Starscream was so quick to betray him again. Sure, he expected him to attack with some scheme eventually, though in the distant future, when he surpassed his usefulness anyway.
The silver mech decided not to ponder on Starscream's recklessness. He'd already sent out the bounty once again, certain Starscream was also among the audience. Perhaps, in a way, asking for a Quintesson Interrogation Pack was a little . . . over the top. Though he couldn't find himself tolerating Starscream's futile mission any longer.
Apparently he'd miscalculated about being able to tame Starscream. Oh well, there were more ways than one to make a clear example of how mutiny in Megatron's army was a serious mistake. And to attack his mate fueled his rage about the subject; to attack the one he genuinely loved the most . . .
His previous words rang in his processor over and over. "I will make sure you regret this."
UGH, this chapter came up short.
Yep, in this chapter we finally introduce Starscream's old friend, Skyfire. Okay, so I'm aware that usually in most other TF continuities (if not all), that Jetfire and Skyfire and are the same character. So please don't kill me that I added him in D: I thought there was no other character better suited, considering his relationship with Starscream (and since this is TFA, Skyfire's going to be in reference with the G1 version).
And I suppose the "Quintesson Interrogation Pack" needs some explaining. If you haven't guessed, it's made up (and if something like that actually does exist, or similar to it, then I really had no idea). Starscream really pissed Megatron off. In short it's called a QIP, and I called it that since the Quintessons are usually rather ruthless (though I say that in reference to the 1986 G1 movie). Basically I'm trying to make Starscream's situation more severe than it was in the show, thus making him call for any help he can think of.
