Author's Note: I'm really liking this new story, and I hope you all like it too. For those of you following The Savage Earth and Rumble & Frenzy Vs. Everything, I haven't forgotten about them but I don't want to rush those stories. I've got a pretty decent conclusion planned for The Savage Earth in a few chapters. Anyway, please review, follow, and favorite if you want to read more :)

Chapter 3

The Escape

Starscream was sitting on the throne once again. He knew he wouldn't have long until Megatron regained his memories and thus his vindictive nature, but Starscream wanted to enjoy every astro second of leadership he could. If he could just figure out how to get rid of Megatron while he was weak...No! It wouldn't work! Megatron might have been weak mentally, but physically he was still too strong for Starscream, and among the Decepticons physical strength was the most important factor!

His musings were disturbed when he heard someone coming into the control room. He assumed it was Dirge with those power plant maps he had ordered the blue and brown jet to fetch for him.

"It's about time you got here, Dirge!" Starscream yelled without turning around, "I'm tired of your incompetence and that of your trine! Would it kill you to show up when you're called, or is that too difficult for you?"

"It's me Starscream," Megatron replied when Starscream stopped talking.

"Megatron!" Starscream jumped up out of the throne as he realized Megatron was right behind him within range to attack the seeker, "I didn't realize it was you!"

"Can I talk to you, Starscream?" Megatron asked in a low tone of voice, "Something has been bothering me and you're the only one I can trust."

"Huh? But of course, Megatron. Anything for you, old friend," Starscream said in his most silken voice, "What's on your mind?"

"Well, I was training with Soundwave…" Megatron began apprehensively, "And my aim is just terrible! The problem is that Soundwave wouldn't tell me! He'd rather let me go out into battle and risk our troops' lives rather than tell me when I'm not fit for duty. I talked to other members after that, but no one was willing to tell me the truth! The Stunticons seemed nice enough, but no one was willing to spar with me! Not even the truck-looking one, and he likes violence! The Decepticon cause is too important to risk on a loose cannon like me, so I want your unbiased opinion. What should I do to make myself a better warrior and leader?"

This was too perfect! Starscream had Megatron exactly where he wanted him, and the gunformer actually put himself in that position! Now all Starscream had to do was lay the trap and he would be the unquestioned ruler of the Decepticons!

"My, my, Megatron. That does sound like quite the predicament," Starscream said in an insincerely sympathetic tone, "Well, I didn't want to say anything that might ruin our friendship, but you asked for my honesty so...I think you should retire."

"Retire?" Megatron asked obliviously, "What does that mean?"

"It means you're old enough to abdicate your duties to a younger and more capable mech," Starscream informed him, "Since you're having issues with handling your duties, then you should retire and let someone else deal with the hard work of being ruler of the Decepticons. When you're retired you can do anything you want! You can settle down on a plot of land, or maybe explore the universe at your leisure. The choices are endless! After all, for hundreds of thousands of vorns you've been our leader. Maybe it's time to let someone else worry about all this for a while."

Megatron didn't really like this idea. He hated thinking of himself as old, but the tapes don't lie. He really was old! He felt like a quitter for even considering retirement, but Starscream was his best friend...He wouldn't lie to Megatron, would he?

"Should I name a successor?" Megatron finally asked.

"Actually, it's already taken care of, Megatron," Starscream told him with a wave of his hand, "In the event of your death or retirement, I am destined to take your place as ruler. You don't even have to stick around here if you don't want to. Just record a short video informing the crew of your decision and I'll show it to everyone for you."

"Well...That does sound convenient," Megatron said more to himself than to his SIC, "I really don't want to make a big spectacle out of this. Maybe it would be better if I just left quietly. Thank you, Starscream! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders!"

"My pleasure, Megatron…" Starscream lilted sinisterly.

Starscream had gathered everyone to the throne room to watch the recording of Megatron naming Starscream his successor and announcing his own retirement. When the screen went black again nearly every jaw had dropped to the floor! No one could figure out how Starscream had done this!

Finally, Ramjet asked "What did you do to Megatron, you turbo rat?"

"I didn't do anything," Starscream replied with a sly smile, "Megatron decided on his own that he wanted to retire, and he thought I would be the best choice to replace him. Now it's official! I'm the new leader of the Decepticons, and all of you will obey me!"

The crowd was uncomfortable with the new arrangement. Most of them were as of yet unaware of Megatron's condition, and thought that Starscream must have rigged the tape somehow after killing Megatron. Somehow that made it worse. If Starscream was trying to hide how he killed Megatron, then it must've been pretty brutal and underhanded.

Soundwave, who had been silent this entire time, finally spoke.

"Megatron: cannot retire. Starscream: unfit for command. Course of action: locate and retrieve Megatron."

"You will do no such thing!" Starscream ordered, "I am the leader now, and I say nobody searches for Megatron! Now, if anybody wants to contest my new rule, then by all means tell me now, because I'm in the mood to terminate somebody!"

Normally nobody took Starscream too seriously, but the fire in his crimson red optics gave everyone pause. He looked serious, and more importantly he looked deadly. It would be foolish to contest the reign of someone capable of killing Megatron, and even though he never said he did, that was what most of them believed happened. Hook, Soundwave, and a few others were the only ones who knew the truth, but they were in no position to help their commander now. They could only hope that when he came to his senses he finally shut Starscream up once and for all.