"That little jerk tattled on us. I'm tellin' you, Warp. It wasn't my fault he found out."
Taking another draught from his Energon cube, Skwarp's demeanor bristled with agitation as he regarded his wingmate with a scowl, lowering the container onto the table with an unnecessarily hard clank.
"Rumble is well overdue a pummeling anyway." The purple and black mech growled. "Has ever since he busted into my quarters and started an earthquake the crack of dawn with those slagging piledrivers of his." Biting back a grin, one Skywarp didn't fail to notice, Thundercracker sighed heavily, the more pressing issue at the forefront of his processor once more.
"Well, I dunno when you'll find the opportunity to dish out a much-deserved beating to the little slagger, seen as Megatron has doubled our shifts for the next deca-cycle as punishment."
"Yeah, thanks for that." Skywarp snapped irately, "I never learn when it comes to following your stupid ideas. I should know by now that you lack the functioning logic circuits." Thundercracker merely gave a rumbling chuckle in response.
"I miss the old days, before we were stuck on this mudball." Thundercracker stated quietly, averting his gaze from his brother's morose expression and staring thoughtfully into the luminous contents of his cube. "The tedious morning drills... Scream getting cranky because we couldn't keep up... overloading and brawling in the dodgy bars of Axiom Nexus before staggering back for watch duty at dawn." He paused, looking upon his brother with a sly grin. One the other regarded with a knowing, arched optic ridge, "Skiving off and going to the pleasure domes in Vos—"
"—Yes, and returning with a rather unsavory femme on your arm on too often an occasion as well." A drawling voice suddenly cut in from behind them. Turning his immense, winged back, a smirk already in place at the familiar voice, Thundercracker was genuinely surprised to see the Air Commander standing there, arms folded as he regarded them petulantly.
Before invitation could be issued, the red Seeker made for the vacant seat, dropping heavily opposite his larger brother and forcing Skywarp to budge up with a scowl into the innermost corner before helping himself to a cube, digits of his free hand drumming obnoxiously loud upon the table top.
"Screamer, gracing us with his presence and having a drink for once." Commented Thundercracker happily, "Well, I never!"
Scowling at the use of his irksome nickname, Starscream chose to ignore the comment for the moment, instead taking a much-needed drought from his cube, for it had been a particularly long and tiresome cycle. Lowering it at last, his blood-red gaze bore into the other.
"Unlike some," he rasped pointedly, "I ensure the work I am required to undertake is actually completed before I decide to consume a questionable amount, overload, and crash a search ship into a quarry."
Raising his optic ridges in response, Thundercracker regarded his Trine leader with a rather sheepish look, shifting uncomfortably in his seat and glancing at Skywarp. Skywarp, however, merely obscured a smirk in the near-empty cube placed to his mouth plates as he pretended to drink. Starscream bore a sharp fang, expression one of smugness.
"Yes, I heard about your little... jaunt." He rasped, inspecting the tips of his alloyed digits with mock interest. "Rumble did choose an opportune moment to tell all. The middle of a rather important meeting, actually. Megatron was most displeased."
If a response was intended to follow, it was swiftly interrupted by the adjacent doors to the Rec Room smoothly parting to reveal a particularly curvaceous femme, shades of silver streaked with pink materializing as she stepped further into the dimmed light.
Thoughts of past misdeeds and current predicaments were disregarded as not a moment was spared before Thundercracker was beckoning to her, already shifting slightly to better accommodate her as she deposited herself into his awaiting lap, giggling as she did so.
"Proxima." Skywarp acknowledged with a small nod of his helm, red gaze appreciative as it swept over her. Conceited grin in place, she nodded in greeting. The femme revelled in such attention after all.
Ignoring her presence, Starscream turned his attention back to his rear wingmate, as though the interruption had never occurred, audio sensors filled with soft, irritating giggling as Thundercracker continued to indulge her.
Though sat upon Thundercrackers lap, his large digits upon her thigh plates as he whispered sweet nothing's into her ear nodes, coveted glances were thrown consistently the Air Commanders way, except he was paying no mind, their unheard exchange opposite continuing without pause.
It was undoubtedly some sort of rebuking, for Skywarp had slouched lower into his seat as he stared ahead, arms folded at his brother's rather animated display of gritted denta, balled fists and disapproving gestures of his helm. It seemed Skywarp wasn't to escape a reprimand after all.
A lingering kiss placed to her cheek-plate stole her attention away once more, returning the act in kind with digits idly brushing a light touch across Thundercracker's chassis, a coy smirk in place as she did.
"So, TC," Skywarp intoned suddenly, Starscream's rebuking clearly over with, "What do you say to another couple rounds before our shift? Primus knows I'm gonna need it."
"Sure thing." Thundercracker replied, adjusting himself and sliding a large servo downward to dwarf Proxima's narrow hip-plate. "Perhaps," he rumbled in low tones, offering an approving glance at his companion first, "we can have a little fun, too. If you get my drift..."
Starscream rolled his optics skyward, looking suddenly rather bored, digits resuming their tapping upon the table top, other servo supporting his chin as he stared absently into the remaining contents of his cube.
It was no secret that his brothers occasionally shared the femme. However, Starscream hadn't partaken in such lowly acts since Vos. Besides, his numerous responsibilities hardly allowed him time to, even if he'd wanted to.
"What troubles ya, Scream?" Skywarp inquired, noticing his much larger lack of involvement. But the only response he received was Starscream draining his cube and rising swiftly, protests from his elder brother filling the air almost instantaneously.
"You're leaving already?" Thundercracker exclaimed, Proxima's sultry gaze rising to settle upon him with, if the Air Commander wasn't mistaken, disappointment, "But we're only jus' getting started!"
"Megatron has just commed me to arrange another meeting and I had best prepare." Starscream replied shortly, making to leave, but not before slender digits made contact with the sensitive paneling of his cockpit, fingers splaying wide at its base. Proxima had abandoned Thundercracker's lap, leaning into him lightly, blocking his path.
"Oh, yes. Do stay." She purred, full, red lips inches from his own. "I promise it will be worth your already, limited time."
Sparing her a sharp, glowering look, one which had her expression faltering, he readjusted himself, her hand falling away from where it was placed as he made to pass her, paying no heed to the disappointed pout she now wore.
After all, the demand of his responsibilities was constant. Part and parcel of being Second-in-Command. Something he had grown accustomed to many, many vorns ago.
"Piece of advice kid, stay away. OK? For your own good. Bad stuff happens to anyone that sticks with me."
"What do you mean?" The young blonde inquired, absentmindedly stroking her bear as she watched the older girl struggle to lift a particularly bulky rock.
Pausing, the older girl huffed out a sigh of frustration, wiping the perspiration that had collected on her brow. Straightening, she turned to face the little girl, something passing behind her gaze as she offered a tired, half-hearted smile.
"Have you seen anyone here that you know? Anyone that can look after you. Keep you safe?"
"You keep me safe." The blonde replied as if it was the most simple answer in the world, her eyes downcast as she began prying bits of dirt out from between the once white plush toys fur.
Propping her tool against the nearby rubble with a soft sigh, the older girl approached her, kneeling so that they were level before taking her free hand gently in her own.
"Ashly, look," the older girl paused, biting her lip, a clear indication she was searching for the right words, "I know you trust me... and I know this is a scary place, but..." She paused uncertainly again, looking at her feet, "I'm not—"
"—Teegan..." The girl suddenly whimpered, the colour steadily draining from her face as something in the distance caught her attention.
Yet, before Teegan could even turn to inspect the source of the little girl's terror, her answer was provided for her almost immediately when she heard a voice in the distance. His voice. Rasped, cold and sharp. Discreetly, she glanced over her shoulder.
Sure enough, there he was. Speaking with Blackout. Arms rigidly positioned behind his winged back as he perused today's activity.
"Come, quickly." She beckoned to the young blonde, placing a spare tool that was much too large for her into her small hand. "Just do as I showed you before. Remember? Just follow my lead and try to look busy. OK?"
Ashly nodded, tucking her bear hurriedly under her arm and following suit of the older girl, her hand trembling so much, she thought the tool might slip from her grasp at any moment.
Since arriving into her care, she had refused to leave her side, and the oldest of the two had been forced to work extra hard in order to make it appear the child was pulling her weight. She suspected she wouldn't last too long if it was discovered she wasn't. Especially when Starscream was around...
"Any problems?" Starscream demanded, glaring at the helicopter expectantly.
"All is well." Blackout replied shortly with a brief nod, retrieving his datapad and scrolling through his logs in order to select the report Starscream desired.
Indeed, everything was going well. Starscream credited himself with assurance. His recent meeting with Megatron included.
Stripping planets of their resources had proven not only time-consuming in the past, but energy-consuming, too. Yet, they now had an asset they'd never had before. An abundance of inhabitants native to this mudball that could seek out and harvest it all for them.
Besides, why should they carry out all the dirty work when there were far more important matters to attend to? They had countless meat bags at their disposal. When he had first arrived on Earth, he had been disgusted at just how overrun the planet was with the irksome creatures. Who knew they could eventually prove more useful than simple cannon fodder?
Just then, Blackout said something that abruptly drew him from his thoughts.
"What?" The Seeker snapped, tearing his gaze away from the proffered datapad he had been scrutinizing and studying the helicopter with a scowl.
"I said," Blackout repeated, striving to conceal the note of annoyance in his voice, "that one has been complaining about food for the sparkling."
Starscream inclined his head in the direction Blackout had just his, quirking an optic ridge when he was met with a familiar sight in the distance. It was the human. The same one who had stepped out of line two earth weeks prior in the main hall. She hadn't dared again since, and he'd suspected she had finally had the sense to keep quiet and keep her head down.
Evidently not.
"Let her complain," Starscream growled disinterestedly, tearing his gaze away from the two humans in the distance and returning it back to the datapad "If the sparkling expires, there are countless others out there at our disposal."
"Her frequent protests have encouraged others to start following suit." Blackout stated pointedly. Starscream paused again, his optics narrowing, mouth drawn into a thin line as his full attention was finally gained.
"If left unchecked, we may have an uprising on our hands, and as much as I hate to be deprived of a good old slaughter fest," Blackout stated somewhat morosely, "killing so many of them only forces us to waste more energy having to search out more. This lot would equate to at least a dozen trips, and I can't be bothered with the processor ache of it all."
"It's your job, is it not? Starscream snapped, a dangerous sneer tugging at his lips.
"Well, yes, Sir..." Blackout stuttered, "but don't you think it's a waste of energy spent refueling the ships for a mere handful of humans at a time? They are becoming increasingly harder to find... my guess is they've found better places in which to hide..."
"Kill the human then," Starscream snapped, completely dismissing Blackouts question with a wave of his free servo as he returned his attention to the datapad once more. "Or both. I don't care."
"These meat bags don't take the slaying of sparklings too well... do you want to explain to Megatron why the majority of sector five has been damaged due to a rebellion? Because I don't. Been there, done that, remember?"
Cycling air in the form of a huff, the Seeker growled in frustration, passing the datapad back to Blackout.
"Have that report filed and documented by the time I get back!" The Seeker spat over his winged shoulder at a fumbling Blackout. Saluting, Blackout watched as the large Seeker stalked towards the distant humans, those of which appeared to have already seen him coming...
Blackout was being ridiculous! Starscream had quickly learned that an occasional threat, a little intimidation, and maybe a weapon drawn here and there sufficed when keeping these pathetic creatures in line. Killing them—those who'd pledged allegiance to the cause that is,—was typically a last resort. For they had, as irritating as they were, proven to be fairly valuable assets so far. If this human thought she could make demands here, she was very much mistaken.
"Teegan, I'm scared..." The young girl whispered, clutching at her desperately as the winged figure approached, the ground beginning to tremble with his encroaching footsteps.
Great. Why on earth was he coming over? What had she done?... Desperately, her mind whirled, thinking over what she might—or possibly, might not have done—to piss him off...
"It will be OK. Calm down," Teegan replied in a strained whisper as she hauled another heavy rock onto the transport shuttle. "He won't hurt us." I hope.
Starscream's huge, looming shadow engulfed them as he halted his approach, eyes almost slits as he studied them. The youngest of the two fearfully shrank out of sight behind the taller girl. His gaze bore into the older human then, lingering for a moment before he finally spoke.
"You require more food?"
Teegan straightened, dusting off her hands, striving to keep her expression as neutral as possible—though Starscream noted her futile effort with mild satisfaction. How her eyes avoided lingering on him for too long, how she swallowed nervously, the sweat that was beginning to coat her palms... and the display sent a thrum of cruel satisfaction through his circuitry. Pathetic sacks of flesh. So easy to read.
"For the child, yes." She stated, forcing her voice to remain steady, for her eyes to find his, "It isn't nearly enough for her."
He shifted his hard stare to the young human who had stolen a peek up at him while Teegan had been speaking, and it was with a nervous squeal that she hid again. His expression changed to one of indifference.
"What makes you think I care?" The Seeker snapped. It pleased him immensely when she visibly flinched, the detached expression she had been desperately trying to maintain submitting to one of mingled disappointment and hopelessness.
Yes, he could have gotten it over with quickly, threatened her, the sparkling, it didn't matter which, but he relished a chance at making these humans cower merely with his imposing presence. Especially if they tried to put on a pitiful facade of bravery...
Teegan sucked in a deep, trembling breath. He wasn't going to be of any help. She was foolish to even consider such a notion in the first place. If he wanted to be a dick, so be it, but she wouldn't back down yet, not without being heard first.
"Considering it's what we humans require in order to work efficiently," She stated, striving to keep her voice as even and neutral as possible, "I think you should."
"If what's provided isn't sufficient," the tone with which he spoke was cold, low, "perhaps her usefulness has run its course?"
Teegan fell silent, the implication of the Seekers words weighing heavily within the silence that followed. Starscream sneered with satisfaction. That's all it usually took after all. A few choice words and they recoiled. Fell in line, meek and pitiful like the spineless vermin they were. Blackout never was good with manipulation or threats, not like himself. The helicopter was more of a shoot first, threaten later, kind of mech.
"I suggest you stop complaining and do what's expected of you." The Seeker stated, his eyes smouldering dangerously. "You're in no position to be making demands around here, human. Continue to step out of line," He paused, a smirk suddenly spreading across his lips as he directed his gaze to the null ray affixed to his arm, that of which was currently whirring to life, power ominously building within its core. "Well, we wouldn't want a demonstration now, would we?"
Quietly, and begrudgingly, she answered him, lowering her gaze from his fearsome stare to her feet.
"No, we wouldn't."