Thousands of Stellar Cycles Ago

On the Planet Archa 7

The first thing she did after being changed was put on a helmet she found to cover her face. The second thing she did was activate the emergency beacon in the ship. She knew if she went back to Cybertron the Autobot science guild would dissect her for study, and after Optimus and Sentinel left her, she didn't want to go back anyway. While waiting for someone to respond to the emergency beacon she thought about what she could offer the Decepticons to convince them to let her join. Autobot intelligence was the obvious answer, but she wanted to do more than that. She majored in science at the Academy, so she could probably offer them some of what she had been working on, like her theories on creating a triple changer.

After a few solar cycles someone finally arrived. Elita remained in the crashed ship waiting for her to get down there. As the Decepticon entered the ship she was attacked by the spiders, but with a few well-placed shots she was able to easily handle them. She then turned to Elita. "Are the one who activated the emergency beacon?"

"Yes. I ended up stranded here. I didn't know what else to do."

"That helmet, did you take it from a dead Decepticon?"

"I didn't see anyone else here."

"Well you wear it better than Tarantulas ever did. Why did you activate the beacon? You are clearly not a Decepticon."

"No, but I want to join."

The Decepticon gave a bemused grin. "While the Decepticons are not the huge organiphobes Autobots are, we will not allow just anyone to join our ranks. You are going to have to prove yourself first. What do you have to offer the Decepticons?"

"I can offer Autobot intelligence. I was in the Elite Guard Academy before coming here, so I can offer a lot in that regard."

"Do you think incomplete Elite Guard training is going to impress me?" She began walking away fully intent on leaving the former Autobot alone on the planet.

"Wait, I mostly studied science, I've been working on a theory for triple changers, and I can create more efficient means of locating the Allspark."

The Decepticon stopped in her tracks, and turned around, smiling. "What is your name?"

"Elita-1"

"You are going to have to change that. It no longer fits."

She thought for a second. "Blackarachnia."

"Welcome to the Decepticon ranks, Blackarachnia. I am Starthief."

Present Day

Half a Megacycle before Megatron's Return

Starthief hadn't made any headway in her search until now, when she saw a giant spider walking across the frozen lake. She transformed and landed in front of it. "It is about time I found you."

Blackarachnia transformed. "What are you doing here, Starthief?" She asked with a slight hint of disdain that Sari picked up on.

Starthief briefly glanced at Sari before turning her attention back to Blackarachnia. "I came to this planet to both kill Starscream and bring you back to New Kaon."

"I'm not going back until I find the Allspark."

"...The Allspark is on this planet?" Starthief face palmed. "I should have realized that. I cannot believe I am saying this, but in this instance it is good that Megatron is dead because if he found out I missed that obvious fact…" She trailed off.

"Well aren't these just great times we're living in then. Since you now know what I'm doing, you can go back to hunting down Starscream."

"That was disrespectful. With Megatron dead, these are the darkest days for the Decepticons."

Blackarachnia sighed. "You're worse than Lugnut sometimes."

"Since you are searching for the Allspark -using the human to help you I assume- I can continue to hunt down Starscream without having to worry about that, and once both of our quests are complete we shall meet up and return to New Kaon triumphant."

"There wasn't one contraction in that spiel of yours."

"Did you even listen?"

"If I didn't I wouldn't've picked up on your speech idiosyncrasies."

"Fair point. I will leave you to your search then." Starthief transformed and flew off.

"What was all that about?" Sari asked.

Blackarachnia transformed back to her spider form. "Let's just say there's no such thing as a Decepticon with someone else's best interest in mind."

Thousands of Stellar Cycles Ago

On the Decepticon Capital World New Kaon

Even after telling the Decepticons about every piece of Autobot intelligence she had and helping establish a spy on Cybertron, Blackarachnia never regretted her actions. It was only after going through the Decepti-brand ceremony that she started having second thoughts. The brand was what made it real. There was really no going back now.

After the ceremony Starthief took Blackarachnia to an old lab that looked like it hadn't been used in stellar cycles. "What is this place?"

"Once it is cleaned up, it will be your research lab. You will be free to research anything you want. Just keep in mind you did promise triple changers and better sensors to detect the Allspark."

"Sounds like I'm not entirely free to research what I want."

"You will have plenty of time to find a way to rid yourself of your organic half I assure you. That said, I am already searching for possible volunteers for the triple changer procedure, so you should make that your top priority."

Blackarachnia began to look around at the equipment around the lab to see if it was up to date and what she needed. While looking around she rubbed at her brand. It still felt like it was burning. "Why use such a painful way of initiation?"

"Simple. A brand is far more permanent than whatever it is Autobots use. Since it is difficult to remove, it ensures that anyone choosing to join our cause must be absolutely sure that it is what they want. It helps to ensure loyalty."

Present Day

Half a Megacycle before Megatron's Return

For the past few decacycles Blitzwing and Lugnut were able to do nothing but put themselves back together after their fight with the Autobots. It would have been sooner but neither of them had the medical training for it, and Starscream only helped for the bare minimum. Starscream didn't see the need to speed things up since one, he knew these two weren't that loyal to him, and two, with Starthief hunting him down he preferred to lay low unless something came up, which something inevitably did.

Lugnut began receiving transmissions from a source he claimed was Megatron. Starscream doubted it, but he decided to go check it out anyway because even someone merely claiming to be Megatron was something that could threaten Starscream's rule. He made sure to keep an eye out for Starthief while he was flying across the city. The moment he picked her up on his sensors flying from the lake he adjusted his course, so she wouldn't spot him.

He made his way to where the signal was coming from and blasted the wall to reveal Megatron. A thousand thoughts rushed through his head at this revelation. The main one being a single question: Does he know?

Starscream figured the best way to find out would be to pretend he's still loyal, and then gauge Megatron's reaction. From what he could tell Megatron didn't know, so he continued on with his speech while debating what he was going to do with this information. On the one hand Megatron was extremely vulnerable in his current state, and he probably wouldn't get another opportunity like this. On the other hand he couldn't exactly kill him in secret this time, and he didn't want every Decepticon who was fanatically loyal to Megatron trying to kill him.

Both his train of thought and more importantly his speech were interrupted when an Autobot charged in. Starscream refused to allow anyone who would so carelessly interrupt him like that to live, so he stopped debating what to do about Megatron and put his focus on the Autobot. He would have plenty of time to figure that out later.

The Past

New Kaon

While Blitzwing could be considered a bit off before he was turned into a triple changer, now he was entirely unhinged with a fractured personality. His three sides seemed more interested in fighting with each other than anything else, so while the procedure was technically not a failure the side effects were troublesome.

"Perhaps a volunteer in peak mental health would produce more fortuitous results." Starthief suggested as she and Megatron stood over Blitzwing who was strapped to a table switching between personalities.

"I'd rather there not be another attempt until someone else looks over Blackarachnia's notes." Megatron replied.

"With enough time I can fix the problem myself." Blackarachnia said.

Megatron completely ignored her, so Starthief spoke up for her. "I believe it would be more prudent if you allowed Blackarachnia to correct the mistake herself."

"I want fresh optics on this."

"Yes, Lord Megatron."

"Send her out of the room."

Starthief turned to Blackarachnia. "This should be quick." She assured her while leading her to the door.

Once out of the room Blackarachnia turned on a listening device she had in the lab, so she could listen in on the conversation.

"I've been monitoring everything Blackarachnia does here, and she's spent a considerable time researching her organic half. It makes me wonder if her lack of focus is what really caused this side effect." Megatron said.

"I fear it is a possibility. Better monitoring may be needed."

"Monitoring isn't the problem; you need to keep a tighter grip on her. Or do I need to remind you that you brought her here making her your responsibility. Her failures are your failures. All of her slip ups are on you, and if you can't terminate her when she stops being useful, I will terminate you both."

"I will admit that I should have been more strict with her, that said we both know I am far more useful to you alive than dead. If it gets to the point where she needs to be terminated I will naturally take of that, in the meantime-"

Blackarachnia turned off the transmitter. She'd heard enough. She should have known not to trust anyone here. She won't be making that mistake again.

Present Day

5 Cycles after Megatron's Return

Starthief knelt over Starscream's body to inspect it. Shouldn't couldn't tell who killed him just by looking, just that it looked like his spark was ripped right out of his body. She did a quick scan for other Decepticon signatures. She picked up Blitzwing, Lugnut, and to her surprise, Megatron. That answered her question about who killed Starscream. She transformed and flew to meet up with the other three.

"Lord Megatron, it is a pleasure seeing you alive and well again."

"Spare me the sycophantry, Starthief, and tell me what you're doing on this planet."

"When I heard news of your demise, I sought to investigate it which led me here."

"How long have you been here?"

"Several decacycles."

"That long, and you didn't manage to eliminate the Autobot presence or search for the Allspark?"

"They were not a threat. There was no reason for me to bother with them."

"And the Allspark?"

Starthief had no answer for that.

"No matter, the Allspark is now within my reach."

As they flew over the lake, following the Allspark signal emitted from the key, the Autobot's ship emerged and started flying back towards the city. It made a quick stop at Sumdac Tower then began trying to leave the atmosphere. The Decepticons managed to shoot them causing them to crash on Dinobot Island. Lugnut and Blitzwing were quickly taken out of the air, but Megatron was able to continue towards the ship. Starthief saw the Autobot he had in tow but knew he could handle that on his own, so she transformed and landed outside of the crater to prevent the other Autobots from getting through on the off chance they actually defeated Lugnut and Blitzwing.

Starthief was taken by surprise when three of the Autobots started driving toward her. Her guns folded from her arms, she then glanced at Prowl and folded her guns back in, opting instead to use her fans. All she had to do was keep them back. The edges of the fans glowed with energy as she moved to a defensive position. The moment any of the Autobots got close she used her fans to blow them away again. Bumblebee got the closest because of his speed, but because of his small size he also got blown away the furthest.

She would have been able to keep it up indefinitely if not for the fact that she was distracted by the sound of an explosion behind her. The moment she glanced back to see what it was, Ratchet and Bumblebee hit her with an EMP, taking her out for a few cycles.

By the time she woke up, the Autobots were gone. She was still detecting their signals on the island, but she was also picking up Megatron's and his signal was weak, so she ignored the Autobots and made her way to him. The moment she saw the shape he was in, she rushed over and helped him up. It was then she noticed what was in his hand. "Why do you have that human?"

"This is Professor Sumdac. He's the one who held me prisoner, and I intend to return the favor."

Since holding Sumdac prisoner required keeping him alive, Starthief had no objection to it. "We need to find somewhere to lay low while you recover." She continued to help him stand until Lugnut and Blitzwing got close, at which point she reluctantly let go of him. She knew Megatron wouldn't want to appear weak in front of the other two.

"I know a place." With how long he had been imprisoned Megatron had plenty of time to go through all of Sumdac's files including one on an abandoned mine he owned. While Megatron didn't care for the idea of hiding underground, it was their best option right now. He was too weak to transform, but he could still fly, so he led them to the mine while remaining hidden from the Autobots who seemed preoccupied with a search to notice them leave.

When they arrived at the mine, Starthief looked around. "Are you sure this is where you wish to hide out?"

"How dare you question Megatron's command." Lugnut interjected before Megatron could answer. "He is great and wise, if he says this is the best place to use a base then all other locations are clearly inferior."

"All I am saying is that it is not entirely healthy for flyers to be underground."

"If Megatron commands it we can endure."

"Must I remind you of what we had to endure while under the command of Megazarak?"

"That was different and you know it!"

"Both of you, be silent." Megatron ordered. "While this situation is not ideal it is the best we can do at the moment. Once we are all fully recovered we will start planning our next move." He started heading for another room. "Starthief I need to speak with alone."

"OoOoOh you're in trouble." Blitzwing's random personality said.

Starthief fired a warning blast at his feet, but she really hoped he was wrong and this wouldn't be about all of her failures while on Earth.