A/N: Okay peeps, here's chapter 4. Hope you like! :P
Megatron sat at this throne, watching his soldiers work out the details of their next battle plan. This time, his forces were to attack a secret government installation in hopes of obtaining an experimental weapon. It had been three days since Ratbat recorded the conversation between the human soldiers and autobots regarding a potentially powerful weapon they could use against his decepticons. True to autobot weakness, they refused such a weapon as it was designed to destroy the very spark of one of their kind and asked the humans to destroy it, something that the gray leader knew they wouldn't do. Part of his plan was to have his seekers intercept the autobots before they reached the base and stall them. It did put his air fleet in jeopardy but the bright side of this was when he found that in order for the autobots to reach the base, they would have to pass through a rather large canyon. He felt this provided the cover needed for them to disrupt the advancing autobots. After all, most autobots couldn't fly which was very fortunate for his plans and gave his seekers the advantage. The only question that remained was which group of seekers would lead. Normally, it would be Starscream's but his latest stay in the med bay and complete disregard for his commands as of late made the gray leader question whether he was the right choice to lead, a dilemma he felt put his entire air fleet in serious jeopardy. After all, even though Starscream openly questioned his orders, he always followed them, though sometimes needing a bit of persuasion. But he had a plan that would answer whether or not the traitorous seeker had reached his end as leader of his air fleet and second in command.
While he reveled in his thoughts, his SIC entered the control room, walking casually to his post as he normally would. It had been almost a full earth week since their encounter and Megatron evaluated him as he passed by him. He watched as Starscream walked ever so calmly to his station, his movements were fluid and natural, indicating that the seeker was healed and fully functioning. As he sat, not giving the gray gun former a single glance, he began to review the current battle plan. As Starscream read, a small frown crept on his face. Megatron knew he wouldn't be happy about the details of their next plan, he was not happy about them himself. However, he felt confident that such an audacious plan had a good chance at success, as long as his orders were followed to the letter. For that reason, he knew he had to evaluate Starscream to see if he would be up to the task. He looked to Soundwave and gave his TIC a single nod. Soundwave had been watching the entire time, waiting for Megatron's order to proceed as planned and when he received it, he returned to his duties as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
As their shift ended, most made their way to the mess hall for a bit of energon after a day full of planning and preparing, with Megatron and Soundwave the exceptions. Starscream sat next to his trine with three cubes in hand. Normally, he would be happy about returning to duty but this new plan worried him which he voiced not so quietly.
"That fragging idiot is going to get us deactivated." he said as he took a gulp of the purple liquid.
"Come on Screamer, don't start. You just got back." Thundercracker replied, rolling his optics. Sure, he had a point but he was just happy to see Starscream in a somewhat normal state and he didn't want his trine leader to start with the open defiance so soon after they had helped with whatever it was that was eating him. Thundercracker looked at his bondmate who was feeling the same uneasiness as the purple seeker watched for any reactions from nearby decepticons. Starscream looked at both of them before continuing.
"Look, all I'm saying is that this plan is reckless at best. We may be the best but us against all of them??!! That's just…insane." After he finished, he thought about what he just said and he couldn't help but chuckle. Pretty soon, it became outright laughter as he almost dropped his energon, thinking that was the funniest thing he'd ever said. Skywarp and Thundercracker looked at each other and couldn't help but smile, not knowing what exactly what was so funny. As Starscream continued to laugh, the mess hall became silent but none at Starscream's table noticed as they watched the laughing SIC. Oblivious to Starscream and his trine, Soundwave entered followed by Megatron himself. Megatron made his way to the back intent on watching what would happen next. He noted the presence of both groups of seekers and thought now was the perfect time.
"Umm, Starscream…" Thundercracker started, trying to get the still laughing seeker's attention which didn't work. "Starscream!" he shouted a bit louder, hoping that would do the trick. It did as Starscream stopped his fit, noticing that his trine mates were staring at something behind him. Still smiling, he turned to see what they were so interested in and his smile faded rather quickly as he found Soundwave directly behind him, his optics locked on Starscream. In Starscream's peripheral vision, he noticed Megatron and his mind quickly figured out what was happening but he was not at all surprised. He looked back at his trine mates, who were obviously confused by the situation as were the rest of the decepticons that Starscream could see. He knew something like this was going to happen after his brief stint in stasis lock but he didn't think it would be so soon or so blatant. He turned back to his challenger not bothering to get up as he ever so smoothly asked the first question that entered his mind.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Starscream asked, his optics flashing a dangerous glow of red as he prepared himself for what he was going to do.
"Observation: Current second in command unfit to lead. Weakness observed. Suggested resolution: Removal of current second in command necessary." Soundwave responded in his usual monotone voice.
"Really, is that a fact?" Starscream asked mocking surprise as he rose to his peds. Before he could utter another word, Soundwave closed the little distance that separated them as he lunged forward with his fist. Somehow, his sudden blow to hit the table behind the seeker instead, splitting it in half as Starscream narrowly avoided the shot when he quickly shifted to the side. Skywarp and Thundercracker jumped up at the sudden attack as well as the shattering of their table as the rest of the room rose to see the commotion. Before Soundwave could recover from his miss, Starscream managed to connect his elbow to the side of Soundwave's faceplate, sending the broader mech reeling sideways into Thrust's and his trine's now vacant table as they cleared out of the way of the incoming mech. Soundwave was startled by the speed and strength that Starscream seemed to have gained out of nowhere but quickly recovered, ready for Starscream's advance. Much to his surprise, Starscream stood planted in the same spot, looking off in the distance, seemingly bored. Unsure of what to do, he looked at Megatron who, with a serious expression, nodded to the cassette player as he looked back at Starscream.
"Tell me Soundwave, are you sure you want to do this?" Starscream asked again, now making optic contact as he dared the cassette player to answer. As he did, the crowd moved even further back, no one wanting to be on the receiving end for whatever was about to happen between the two. Starscream began to make his way to Thundercracker with his optics still locked onto Soundwave as he waited for his response.
"Affirmative." Soundwave replied, pushing away from the table and kicking the now broken one out of the way. As he neared the center of the room, Soundwave felt something trickle down his chest and realized that energon was flowing from a crack in his mask. Starscream had managed not only to crack his mask but open a wound on Soundwave's unblemished face. This ignited the rage he felt growing exponentially at Starscream as he let out a low growl.
Starscream smirked in response as he removed his null rays from his arms, earning a questioning look from Thundercracker. The red seeker simply smiled as he handed them to blue one and turned back to face Soundwave, taking slow but steady steps in his direction before he stopped, standing at the ready.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Starscream asked, enticing the angered mech further. As he finished the question, Soundwave lunged again, this time, throwing his larger body at Starscream in an attempt overpower him and take him to the ground. However, he was surprised again as Starscream rushed back at him, only faster, and while grabbing Soundwave's shoulders before the telepath knew what was happening, the seeker powered the thruster in his right leg and connected his right knee to Soundwave's midsection, stunning the larger mech's intake system and causing the blue mech to double over. However, Soundwave managed to get a hold of Starscream's left wing and with all the strength he could muster given his current condition, he ripped at the sensitive appendage as hard as he could to try to bring the smaller seeker down. This only earned him a pained grunt and he looked up to find Starscream gripping the blue arm that had a hold of his wing. While trying to recover from Starscream's surprise blow, Soundwave watched as the seeker somehow managed to rip his wing from his grasp, twisting his arm as he did so. Starscream let out a hiss at the damage this caused and in one fluid motion while holding the blue arm straight out, he swung his now weaponless arm upwards into the back of Soundwave's elbow joint, snapping the sensitive pistons and circuits in the weak spot. Soundwave howled in pain as he fell to the ground, clutching his arm as energon began leaking from the joint. Starscream briefly regarded him before he turned away and after retrieving his rays from Thundercracker, exited the room.
Megatron watched as the seeker left the mess hall, stunned by what he witnessed. Starscream moved like he had never seen him move before. Sure, he was always quick but now, he could only be described as lightening fast. Megatron could barely follow the seeker's movements himself, at first when he avoided Soundwave's initial strike and then when he snapped the mech's arm to put an end to his little test. Indeed, he ordered Soundwave to challenge the SIC to see if Starscream was in fact weak and perhaps permanently damaged from his alleged processor blow as he expected but after what he witnessed, he was far from weak. In fact, he seemed to be faster than he had ever seen him which only added to the mystery that has surrounded the seeker ever since their last encounter.
As Soundwave rose to his peds still clutching his arm, Megatron broke away from his thoughts and approached the injured soldier.
"Get to the med bay at once. When you're done, I want you to report to me." Megatron ordered.
Soundwave couldn't answer so he gave a shaky nod and retreated to the med bay, Hook following close behind.
"Hook, you will report to me as well." Megatron said, his tone dangerous, giving Hook a warning.
"Yes, sir," Hook replied timidly, hoping that he would be able to figure out a way to get out of this mess between now and then. He exited behind Soundwave and his cassettes.
Megatron then made his way out of the mess hall himself, wanting nothing more than to replay the day's events alone.
As soon as the door shut behind Megatron, the room burst into conversation, some voices louder than others as they replayed the fight.
"Did you see him snap his arm like that?" Dirge asked Ramjet, mimicking the motion that Starscream used.
"That was insane! I can't believe it, I've never seen him move that fast!" Ramjet replied excitedly.
Thundercracker and Skywarp just listened to everyone's version of what they saw as tables were shuffled back into place. They picked up the broken table that once held their energon which now lay spewed on the floor and discarded it. After deciding to leave their trine leader alone after what just happened, they headed to their room for a much needed recharge.
"Since when did Soundwave become so bold?" Skywarp asked as they turned a corner. The med bay was ahead and they briefly peered in to see Soundwave lying down with Hook hard at work repairing his arm before they continued to their room.
"I know you're a bit slow but come on, it's pretty obvious." Thundercracker replied. When all he got in response was a confused look, he sighed and explained, "No way Soundwave would've done that without Megatron's say so. He probably thought he wasn't fit to be his second after his latest trip to planet stasis and so he let loose his pet on Screamer." Thundercracker snorted before continuing, "Bet that surprised the circuits out of both of them. I've never seen him move that fast before."
"Me either. Do you think it has something to do with the other night?" Skywarp asked.
"I don't know…maybe." Thundercracker hesitated before continuing, "Warp, has Starscream ever talked about what he used to do before he met us?"
"Yeah, he was a scientist before he joined the decepticons." Skywarp answered as they made their way through the empty corridors.
"I don't know. Remember when we dug up Skyfire? He said that it'd been about 8 million years since his crash."
"Oooook, what does that have to do with anything?" Skywarp asked.
"He joined the decepticons roughly, what, 7 million years ago?" When he noticed he wasn't getting anywhere with him, he elaborated his point. "What happened between the time he and Skyfire were separated and when he joined the decepticons?"
"I don't know," Skywarp shrugged, "science stuff. What, you think it has something to do with how crazy he is? How do you know his head wasn't as loose as a bucket of bolts then like it is now?"
"I don't know, but..."he stopped when he realized they were standing outside their room. Thundercracker glanced to his sides to make sure no one was around. Before he continued, he pushed the code to open the door to their quarters and entered with Skywarp following him in.
"But what?"
"Look, did you feel something strange after the link up?"
"Yeah, but it's Starscream we're talking about. How can you not feel something strange?" he laughed.
"I'm being serious. There's still something not right with him. I don't think he even wanted to link up with us, I think he just used it to try and stop whatever it is that's wrong with him."
Skywarp's expression changed completely as he took in what Thundercracker was saying.
"You think he just…used us?" Skywarp slowly asked, unable to hide the hurt in his voice.
"Yes…no…I don't know. All I know is there is something wrong with him and I can't figure it out." He said dejectedly.
"No slag, but what's that got to do with Skyfire and his time before the decepticons? And what's that have to do with what just happened? He kicked aft, there's nothing wrong with that. And not even Starscream would use the link for selfish reasons."
"I don't know, maybe I am putting too much into this. I just can't let it go." Thundercracker sighed.
"Look, what does it matter? He's here with us and he seems happier than I've seen him in a long time. Can't we just be happy for him and figure out how we're going to finally win this fraggin' war?"
"That's the thing, 'Warp, I don't think he's ever been happy."
Before Skywarp could respond there was a rather loud knock, signaling who was on the other side of the door. Skywarp and Thundercracker looked at each other before the blue seeker walked to the door and let their trine leader in.
"Can you believe the nerve of that glitch?" Starscream asked as he made his way to their birth and plopped himself down. "His pet is lucky to still have his fragging arm, I could've severed it. It would've made a nice souvenir, don't you think?" he asked with a smile.
"Are you okay?" Thundercracker asked.
"Of course I'm okay! I just need you to take a look at my wing. I figured that idiot went to the med bay so I came here instead. One of my navigational relays is damaged and I can't reach it."
Thundercracker crossed the room as he removed a tool from his subspace and Starscream shifted so he could have easier access. As Thundercracker looked closely at the wound, he knew it must have been pretty painful but Starscream didn't show any signs of discomfort. There were long, deep gashes made by Soundwave's grip when he tore at the pliable metal.
"Where did you learn how to do that?" Skywarp asked as he joined his trine mates on the berth. When Starscream didn't answer right away, they figured the subject was off limits.
"Someone taught me a long time ago." Starscream quietly answered.
"Then why do you let Megatron beat the living scrap out-" Skywarp started but stopped when Starscream shot him a cold look. Now that subject was off limits.
"I can't believe Megatron did that." Thundercracker said, cutting the tension.
"I'm not surprised. To be honest, I knew something like this was going to happen but I figured it would be Megatron, not that aft kissing droid. He's never had someone else challenge me." Starscream said wincing as Thundercracker repaired the damaged relay.
"Well believe me when I tell you the whole base is talking about your little skirmish." The blue seeker replied. "By the way, who was it that taught you how to move like that? I have to say I've never seen you do anything like that before."
Starscream remained silent as he thought of an answer. He knew he should've stuck to his normal dirty tactics which would've included his null rays or if needed, optic gouging to beat Soundwave but it just didn't seem good enough anymore. Even so, he did hate physical violence like most seekers as they were meant for the skies, not hand to hand combat.
"It doesn't matter. All I know is Soundwave and hopefully Megatron will keep their distance and that's all that- OOWWWW!!!" he cried out as Thundercracker hit a sensitive node in his wing. "Be careful!"
"All done." he said as he subspaced the tool away. "Your internals should repair the rest." As Starscream turned around, Thundercracker nuzzled his face, making the scowling mech calm down.
"How about we get slag faced and celebrate the awesome aft kicking that ol' Screamer here gave that aft kissing glitch?" Skywarp asked excitedly.
"I don't think so, I'm pretty drained." Starscream said while getting to his peds.
"Aawww come on Screamer! Let's have some fun!" the purple seeker pleaded.
"Maybe next time, right now, I've got a berth calling my name." Starscream said as he made his way out of their room. He uttered a quick thanks to Thundercracker before he left.
After a few moments, Skywarp had another idea of having some fun, "Well, now that he's all better, why don't you fix me?" Skywarp asked seductively.
"What-" he couldn't finish before Skywarp was all over him, his lips kissing and nipping sensitive spots on his body, making him forget about everything else.
XDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD
He just didn't know what to make of the whole situation. Starscream's reflexes should have been hindered from his injury but the exact opposite was true. The traitor had managed not only to dispatch Soundwave, he did so in a dominate fashion. Whatever the reason, he was convinced that this was merely a glimpse of what the seeker was hiding, something that caused white hot anger to flow through his internals. As he sat at his desk brooding, the door finally chimed. He hit the button under his desk that opened it, letting in both the newly repaired Soundwave and Hook. Megatron couldn't help but notice the fresh weld line on Soundwave's face mask as he strode in.
"You'll wait outside." He commanded Hook, who nodded and stepped back out. "Soundwave, report."
"Observation: Heightened reflexes and speed. Reasons: Unknown. Unable to penetrate seeker telepathy."
"You couldn't register anything at all?" Megatron asked, hoping somehow the seekers mental abilities would be hindered after his time spent in stasis.
"Negative. Access remains limited. Unable to penetrate desired areas. Examples: Thoughts and memories. Emotions remain readable."
"What emotion did you sense?"
"Multiple emotions noted: Anger, annoyance, disgust, frustration, guilt, hatred, hostility, love, jealousy-,"
"Love?" Megatron interrupted, "He felt love?" Megatron asked incredulously.
"Affirmative."
"Love for what?" Megatron asked as his curiosity peaked.
"Unknown."
"How could he have felt so many emotions at once?"
"Observation: emotions in constant state of flux. Difficult to process at times. If high amount of emotional chaos noted, read terminated."
"You mean to tell me that sometimes you can't even register his emotions? How long has this been going on?"
"Difficulty consistently present." Soundwave answered as he rubbed his newly repaired arm.
The gray leader sat back in his chair as he processed this new information. So, Starscream was even more unstable than he thought. However, that didn't explain the hidden skills he displayed.
"What do you make of how he fought?"
"Unable to process." he said, his voice not betraying the rage coursing through his fuel lines at the memory of his humiliation.
"Here is your new order. Since your observations of Starscream have proved to be futile, I want you to keep a closer eye on his trine. I want to know if there is anything that is out of the ordinary with them. You are to tell no one, understood?"
"Affirmative."
"Let's talk to our skilled medic and ask him a few questions. I want you to tell me if Hook is hiding anything regarding this and if he is you're to find out what that is." Megatron ordered. After Soundwave nodded, Megatron had the telepath retrieve Hook from outside, who followed the telepath in as they both now stood before the decepticon leader.
"Yes, Lord Megatron?" the nervous mech asked, praying to Primus he was going to make it out of this in one piece.
"You know, I've seen a lot of mech's in my day blow processor relays and every time that they did, they were never the same again. Can you tell me why Starscream is not only functioning at optimal levels but is faster than he ever was before?" He asked with his voice laced with false friendliness.
"I can't explain it." Hook answered as the feeling of being mentally prodded by Soundwave overtook him. Even though he was not telepathic, being a gestalt, he usually could deflect him elsewhere in his processor files just as he would when he connected to his fellow contructicons.
"Don't lie to me, Hook. Why are you covering for him anyway? What has Starscream ever done for you?"
"I'm not-," he was unable to finish as Soundwave fully assaulted his memory files, scattering his subroutines in the process. He felt as if his head was splitting open as he shut is optics off, concentrating on fighting the telepath back. But as he did, he was unable to stop him from accessing certain memory files regarding the seeker and their dealings. When he felt the sudden withdrawal of Soundwave's presence, he knew his fate was sealed and he on-lined his optics only to find Megatron directly in front of him.
"Soundwave?" Megatron asked the telepath while not breaking his stare at the medic.
"Information gathered: Starscream entered stasis as direct result of high synthetic levels present in fuel lines. Synthetic supplied by Hook on regular basis. Hook noted high rate of consumption but continued to supply requested amounts."
"Is that so? Not only did you lie but you have been carelessly wasting my valuable energon to supply Starscream of all mechs with however much of your high grade he wanted. Is this correct?" Megatron asked as he clinched his fists. "Tell me Hook, what happens to those who purposely deceive me?"
Hook couldn't find the nerve to answer him right away. He briefly admired Starscream for showing defiance in these types of situations. It was usually only after Megatron would start to beat him that the seeker would crack.
"Answer me!"
Before he could answer, Megatron backhanded the medic, sending him crashing to the ground. Now, as Hook was trembling on the floor, he was finally able to muster a response as he whimpered "I…don't know. Please don't hurt me."
Megatron looked down at the petrified mech and felt pity for the stupid fool. What made Hook think he could keep anything a secret was beyond him but after hearing his pathetic response, he didn't feel the need to deal the beating that he normally would. Come to think of it, it was really only Starscream who was graced with this type of attention.
"If you ever attempt to deceive me again, I will make a fine example of you. Do you understand?" Megatron asked, his optics glowing a deep shade of red at the threat.
"Yes, sir!" he answered eagerly as he was overcome with relief at not being beaten into a pile of scrap.
"As punishment for your little charade, I have a job for you. I'll let you know what it is in due time, do you understand?"
"Understood." he gratefully answered as he rose up from the cold floor.
"Now get out of here before I change my mind." he said with disgust as he turned and walked away from the medic.
As Hook made his exit, Megatron asked him one more question.
"One more thing before you run like the coward you are. What is your true assessment of our air commander?" he asked, staring out of the large window overlooking the vast, dark ocean. Hook looked down before he looked at his leader and answered.
"I have no idea what his malfunction is. He's always been strange." Hook replied, hoping Megatron would be satisfied with his answer. When the gray warlord simply nodded, Hook made his exit, thanking Primus with each step as he left the two commanders alone.
"Inquiry: Presence further required?" Soundwave asked, unable to hide the exhaustion after his mental attack on Hook drained the little energy he had remaining.
"No." Megatron answered, unable to wrap his mind around everything he had seen and heard. He faintly heard the retreating form of his TIC as he exited the room. He turned to his desk and pulled from his drawer a cube of high grade, the same synthetic that nearly off-lined his SIC. None of this made sense to the warlord. Starscream was obviously in top physical condition. Why would he risk permanently damaging his internals by over consuming high grade? Whatever was going on, he was going to get to the bottom of it, one way or another.
Okay, I didn't want the first love makin' to be Thundercracker and Skywarp. Sorry! You'll see who I have in mind soon enough. Hehe!
