I want to thank all the readers who reviewed the chapter 5., and to Maraluch, who edited this chapter 6. Chapter 1 has been also edited and reposted.
To What Subservience Leads - Chapter 6: Justification
Starscream's processor"Who are you?" shrieked Starscream, looking successively at the three figures that had materialized in front of him.
The one standing to his right was arrayed in purple and silver armour, with an old-fashioned design and a kind of Autobot insignia tattooed on the two shoulders. His shape, more slender than the current Transformer standard, reminded him strongly of a merchant in the Golden Age. The armor of the Transformer standing in front of Starscream was much more complicated in design, with sharper angles and complex gold decorations on his purple and silver paint job. Starscream couldn't guess what this Transformer changed into but assumed it was a gladiator, according to the various weapons that were attached to his flanks and legs. He had also strange purple optics, a color that Starscream had never seen before in optical components. It was at least less disturbing than the blue optics of the "merchant". The last of the three newcomers had a silver paint job and a bulky body betraying his alt mode; a Cybertronian tank. He shared the most striking resemblance to Megatron, although the faceplates of the two others were similar in appearance.
"Who are you? What are you doing here in my mind? Only Megatron could gain access here!" he yelled again, pointing his null rays at them.
"You see, Starscream, we are Megatron!" replied the silver tank Transformer.
"Do you take me for an idiot or what?" growled the Seeker while looking over his shoulder. "Is it one of your sickening tricks again?" he growled, glaring at Megatron.
The Decepticon leader slowly rose to his feet and threw him a defeated glance.
"They're telling you the truth… I'm sorry, Starscream," he muttered, glaring to the direction of the three Transformers, "I never thought they would have the guts to follow me here, though!"
"What the slag! What are you talking about!?" the Seeker howled, "I knew I shouldn't have trusted you!"
"Starscream, it's not what you think!" protested Megatron, walking to the flyer. He stopped when the null rays switched their targets and set on him.
"Stay back!" threatened Starscream. "I'm fed up with your lies!"
"Calm down, young flyer… Otherwise, you won't get the answers you deserve." The voice of the silver tank Transformer politely echoed in his audios. He turned his gaze to the sentient creature, amazed by the resemblance he shared with his commander when he smiled that evilly.
"Answers about what?!"
"About the Megatron you think you know."
A laser beam grazed the faceplate of the Transformer who spoke, who didn't show any sign of fear.
"M3, get to the heart of the matter. He's getting impatient!" said the merchant.
"M1 is right. The quicker the better." added the gladiator.
"Very well, M1," nodded the so-called M3. He motioned to Starscream but stopped when the flyer beckoned him to not approach further. "Don't get nervous Starscream. We don't want to hurt you!"
"You already told me that during the simulation! Don't come any closer and get to the point!" spat Starscream nervously. "Beware, I don't like to wait!"
"As you wish," replied the Transformer, stepping back. His two acolytes mimicked him with perfectly identical precision. Only "Megatron" remained still, following the movements of the three visitors with his optics. "The first thing to learn is that the term "Megatron" refers only to a body, a shell animated by a spark. But when it comes to his personality… That's much more complicated!"
"What are you babbling about?!"
"You see, the one you call Megatron," said the tank, pointing to the direction of the so familiar shape, "… is in reality "M4", standing for "Megatron the 4th", or if you wish, the fourth personality of Megatron, implanted in his personality component after his third upgrade."
Starscream couldn't help but stand with his mouth gaping. "That's insane!" he exclaimed.
"I, myself am "M3", the third version. And you have here M1 and M2," M3 added, gesturing to the two others.
"You're lying!" protested Starscream, optics flashing with anger, "You can't be what you claim to be! The previous personality is always destroyed after an upgrade!"
"Except when you are the unwilling subject of a forbidden experiment!" interrupted the so-called M1, walking to Starscream.
"Stay where you are!" shrieked the flyer, "You don't need to be that close to me to tell me your lies!"
"Fair enough… Except that it's not a lie… Is it, M4?"
All optics turned in the direction of the Decepticon leader, who answered with a flaming glare. "He's telling the truth, Starscream," M4 admitted reluctantly.
Starscream's reply was a frown and he shifted his attention back to M1. "Carry on!" he ordered. "This story proves to be more interesting than I first believed..."
"Megatron… I mean... I came to life during the Golden Age… As a merchant… An Autobot!"
"That can't be! That's… That's almost… blasphemous!" exclaimed Starscream, indignant.
"I would rather say; ironic. Extremely ironic…" replied M1, smiling bitterly, "It is, however, the truth. I was an Autobot merchant, attending to my little business in the suburbs of Iacon, living a tranquil and peaceful life. Until the Great Council of Cybertron requested that I join a commercial delegation to a far solar system. An honor for the young and ambitious trader I was; I accepted the offer without question. However fate was against me, as our ship ran straight into the trap of some pirates scouring this part of the galaxy. Our ship was crushed, the crew slaughtered in the most brutal fashion, and I was left somewhere between life and death on the floor of a departure pad. I guess that the Council had kept track of us because they sent a rescue team to the wreckage. I came back on-line sometime after in a place that looked like a repair bay, surrounded by Autobot scientists. The only thing they told me was that I was officially dead, and that my "sacrifice" would serve Cybertron and the Transformer race."
"That's ridiculous! Autobots wouldn't do such things!" cried Starscream, "Them, and their principles about life! They just can't do... torture!"
"It was a different era… The Autobots were the descendants of the production machines of the Quintessons; they had all the power on Cybertron. Energy, manufactory, they administered everything! There were some Decepticons also, confined to the position of military guards, and they reluctantly received orders from the Autobots. And there were the Neutrals, sentient creatures free of caste, gifted by the strange ability to take on the characteristics of either Decepticon or Autobot. The Quintessons had left Cybertron, taking away their secrets with their escape, and there was no way to find out what really differentiated the two main antagonistic ethnics. Nothing, except live experience…"
"That's totally ludicrous!" Starscream cried out, lowering his weapon. "You're telling me that Autobots used you as a guinea pig in forbidden experimentation?!"
"Ah Ha! Optimus Prime is so pathetic when he rambles on and on about the Autobots' principles. He's forgotten that Autobots used to be something else than worshippers of non-violence! The Golden Age made them rulers of Cybertron; but my war transformed them into adepts of freedom and respectable creatures. It's time somebody reminds them what they did in the past!" growled Megatron, clenching his fists.
"Amazing!" cut in the Seeker, looking back at M1. "Continue, I want to know more!"
"The scientists almost completely dismantled my body. They came to the conclusion that the major differences between Decepticons and Autobots were not physical, but mental. I can remember when their leader announced that my personality would be "upgraded" to a more aggressive one, matching somewhat the Decepticon characteristics, and…"
"… And I came to life, while a back-up of M1 was kept on my CPU." said the gladiator. "That was the only place they could back-it up. The experiment was illegal, of course."
"Incredible! And to think that I was dismissed from the Scientific Council because I was considered cruel for my experiments on the squishies," chuckled Starscream, somehow amused, "While those slag Autobots were doing something far worse!
His attention came back to the gladiator who had withdrawn a large sword from his subspace, and was inspecting the cutting edge with loving attention.
"I was supposed to be more combative and thanks to the changes made to my physical structure, faster and tougher, able to resist and destroy any enemy. The team in charge of the project decided to test my new capabilities… in the slums of Cybertron, where the Decepticon soldiers were expunging their needs for violence into gladiatorial tournaments. I fought countless adversaries, finishing so many times bleeding on the floor… until fear of being killed overshadowed the remnants of my pacifist principles, and pushed me to kill my enemies. However, I was too hesitant to give the killing blow and once the scientists got enough data and could refine their calculations, they decided to move to the next stage…"
"A second up-grade of personality?" whispered Starscream, optics now glittering with curiosity.
"Another up-grade, correct. Justified by my tendency to avoid killing my adversaries, but also the evolution of the conflict between Autobots and Decepticons. The Decepticon riots were more and more frequent and difficult to crack down. The Council needed a new breed of soldier who could match the strength and violence of the Decepticons…"
Starscream couldn't suppress a laugh, and turned to the tank Transformer.
"You? You became the prototype of this future army, didn't you?"
"Yes, me: a copy of M2, purged of feelings such as fear, compassion or kindness. My body was upgraded again, converted into a machine for domination. I was sent first to police and subdue the riots in the slum, and then I became the leader of these missions in the Decepticons' districts, hunting down the most dangerous agitators. But one day I made a critical error: I let escape one of the most vindictive Decepticons, Shockwave, to save my squadron…"
"Shockwave!" squeaked Starscream, before crooking a derisive smile at M4. "I understand now why "Single Optic" is such a bootlicker with you, Megatron!"
"I was sent back to the laboratory and the project team decided to remove from my personality all positive feelings and increased the level of their emotional opposites such as self-centrism, violence, trickery, and of course cruelty, so that "Megatron" became a true predator to combat the predators themselves."
"It's the only thing these stupid scientists succeeded in!" sniggered M4, staring at Starscream. The Seeker replied with a devilish smile, which soon betrayed... his awe.
"Let me guess the end of the story. M3 was backed-up on Megatron's CPU, while M4 took over the new Megatron's shell… and proved to that bunch of silly Autobots scientists that they had finally reached their goal…and then Megatron killed them!" The Seeker clapped his hands in exuberance. "In other words," he added, "the Autobots have created their greatest foe! Mwaah! That's awesome! Hilariously ironic, really." The Seeker burst into insane laughter, completely ignoring the surprise created by such a reaction.
"We're glad that you're taking the truth so well!" said M1, puzzled.
Starscream stopped laughing and threw him a weird glance. "Except that I don't know what my place is in this story…" he replied, smirking. "Not yet…"
"You're simply the reason of our awakening…"
The smirk of the Seeker dropped, replaced by a doubtful expression. He expected another incredible revelation, but not exactly this one. "What?"
"Stop it! You don't have the right to tell him!" complained M4, gesturing menacingly toward M1. The Autobot glared in return and then smiled.
"You can tell him yourself if you want. Nobody will deny you the right to tell him the truth... For a while anyway."
"No, never, I can't!" replied M4, his voice suddenly softening, "I can't," he replied, turning his gaze to Starscream.
The Seeker stared at him in return, and then refocused on M1. "Tell me what!?"
"The new leader of the Decepticons was inspecting his new recruits, sure of his strength and leadership, when all his certainty collapsed in mere seconds, with a single exchange of glances. The Slag Maker, the flawless warrior, the conqueror incapable of love; saw a young flyer painted a perfect blend of red, blue and silver colors, of force and fragility, of intelligence and insanity. Somebody that M4 had never run into before, and who woke his curiosity and desire, but also unknown feelings from the depths of his spark!"
Starscream swayed a little as he understood who M1 was talking about.
"Me?" he exclaimed, staring at M4, "Me? You? All this time, you..." he stuttered, looking deeply in the confused stare of the one he was used to call "Megatron".
M4 ashamedly lowered his head.
"I... I have never seen somebody like you before... You looked so like me and at the same time, so different. I couldn't get you out of my head... You just obsessed me since the first time I saw you," he said softly, "I hired you for my army, followed your progress at the Decepticon Academy, and made sure you joined the rank of officer. I nominated you Second in Command despite your youth and treacherous behaviour. I wanted you by my side, and at the same time, away from me. I didn't know why I felt that way, so.. I…"
M4 couldn't find his words, obviously crushed by a deep emotion.
"So, he searched every nook and cranny within his data bank, trying to find when or if he had ever felt such a way in the past. He found nothing, no information, except… three programs," M1 went on, giving M4 an amused glance, "Three personality programs…"
"Megatron woke you because… of me?" squeaked Starscream. The Seeker was smiling strangely, a mix of amusement, surprise, and excitement.
"Yes, because of you! Surprised, Seeker?" asked the gladiator, "Anyway, M4 quickly understood the nature of the programs and activated us. Of course he took care that we couldn't take over his whole system and confined us in the role of "ghosts". He promised that he would free us if we helped him to conquer your spark, and we accepted."
"But M4 is programmed to hurt, enslave and dominate, whatever he does. And it prevailed also for his relationships with other Transformers. Our task proved to be tougher than expected; many times, his violent nature took the upper hand on his attraction toward you. He was afraid of the weakness his feelings toward you could create, and sometimes tried to kill you. Many times we had to discourage him from killing you. You might have lain beaten and broken after his rages, but at least you were alive. You owe us your life, Starscream!"
"That's completely… This is a farce!?" mocked Starscream, shaking his head, "Megatron always had a crush on me, but never said anything?! And... I owe you my life, you, ghosts of the past?"
"We're more than that… We're autonomous personalities!" snapped back M3, "And yes, you owe us your life! Remember the day he stormed into your quarters in search of the disk and how it worked so nicely to your advantage (1)? You should definitely consider giving us more respect!"
Starscream glared at him, and smirked. "It's my CPU here, I'm respectful or disrespectful with whoever I want!"
The so-called M3 made as if to attack him, but M1 made a gesture for him to stay still. As Starscream had been suspecting since their initial appearance, M1 was the one in charge among the three "ghosts". He then completely ignored M2 and M3 and stared at the Autobot.
"Tell me M1… It was you who perverted the simulation, right?" he asked in a friendly tone.
"Perverted" is not the right word; I would say "slanted" would be more accurate. We had been asleep since you and Megatron became lovers. You seemed comfortable with this love relation based on subservience that Megatron had forced you into. And he was of course satisfied with the little slave you were. Our task was completed, and we were waiting for M4 to honor his promise to us and set us free. But the simulation woke us. We decided to do something about it when we understood what was really at stake," replied M1 on the same tone. "I know it was painful for you… We had no choice but forcing M4 to the wall… It was in your interest and the interest of the Decepticon army."
"My interest…" repeated Starscream, walking to M1, deliberately showing off his body. He stopped in front of M1 and tilted his head to the side and smiled. "You serve a purpose or obtain a goal by being here now, yes? And it's not only to tell me the origins of Megatron?"
"You guess correctly..."
Starscream looked up and stared at the blue optics, tilting his head closer to the still faceplate.
"And so you try to convince me that I should grant you all my attention," whispered Starscream. He smiled, moving his face even closer to M1, so close that their metal almost touched. One of his blue hands delicately settled on the purple chest plate.
"We have a deal to discuss," replied M1 in a whisper. He looked in the direction of M2 and M3, who nodded their approval. Their actions didn't escape "M4" either, who stood up and leapt in their directions.
"What are you trying to do? Wasn't it enough for you to plague my processor for a million years! You want to turn Starscream against me now?" he yelled. "And you, Starscream, will you betray me again!?"
M4 almost stumbled forward when his legs refused to move any further. He regained his balance but his arms and torso were brought to a standstill as well. "Starscream, don't make yourself the accomplice of those shadows of the past! Whatever they say, they will never give you what you need!" he pleaded, staring at the Seeker. "Starscream, I was sincere when…"
Starscream smiled mysteriously, and raised a hand. Besides his motor functions, M4 was now deprived of his voice.
"Now that's better," purred Starscream, focusing again on M1, "And now my dear, why don't you tell me the true purpose of your... "visit?"
The purple and silver creature granted him a smile matching the Seeker's smirk perfectly. "You have nothing to expect or gain from M4; he's incapable of any feelings toward you, and he will never recognize your potential as leader. As for us... We're fed up with him; he has no consideration for us or our advice. And he will never set us free. We are worth more than this- to simply waste our talents for such a beast!" stated M1 without hesitation
"So... what's the deal?"
"We get rid of M4. One of us takes over his body, and the two others get new shells..."
"And what is the advantage for me?" asked Starscream, looking very much interested.
"Once we're back to a more... solid state... We become your personal guards, make sure you obtain the leadership of the Decepticons, and..." the words of M1 trailed off, as his finger traced the dark line on Starscream's cheek, "One of us will be more than honored to bring you the love you need."
Starscream's smile widened, brightening his face in the most seductive way. He suddenly turned around, pointing his null rays at M4, and smiled devilishly at him. "Well! That's an interesting deal, don't you think, mighty Megatron?!"
The expression of M4 was at this time an incredible mix of despair, sadness, betrayal and even fear; feelings that Starscream thought he would have never seen on the face of the Decepticon leader.
"Why would I refuse this?" Starscream purred.
Starscream's quarter
Ratchet turned his head in the direction of the door, watching the two wing mates of Starscream stepping inside. He believed that the area had been restricted to Soundwave and himself, but was careful not to say a word. As expected, Soundwave looked up and stared coldly at the newcomers.
"Thundercracker and Skywarp have nothing to do here. Leave this place immediately!"
"Please, Soundwave!" said Skywarp, "We want to know what Starscream's status is. Is he going to pull through?"
The two Seekers walked to the repair berth and stared at the two mechs cuddled in the arms of each other.
"Primus!" exclaimed Thundercracker, "I knew they were lovers, but that's so weird to see Megatron and Starscream… cuddling!"
"Oh, you know, that's not shocking for me. I saw them doing more than cuddling!" his wing-mate whistled crudely.
This comment of Skywarp's was rewarded with a ringing thump on his black helmet. The Seeker rubbed his helmet, while Thundercracker shook his head in disapproval.
"Anyway! Soundwave, we have the right to know!" insisted Thundercracker.
Soundwave turned silently to Ratchet and nodded in acceptance.
"Well… I would say that he is stable…" replied the CMO, before frowning at the screen he was watching.
"Something wrong?" asked Skywarp.
"I don't know…" muttered Ratchet, checking the settings. He looked up at Soundwave and beckoned the other mech to come have a look at the screen. "You remember the three frequencies that had appeared a few minutes ago? Two have just disappeared, as mysteriously as they appeared…"
Soundwave checked the screen and stared in confusion at Ratchet, whose optics were still set on the data. The two Seekers had no ideas what the two specialists were talking about, but both guessed that something was wrong.
Starscream's processor
M1 watched with a mix of surprise and horror as the shapes of M2 and M3 vanished in a swirl of Cybertronian glyphs and electrical discharges.
"What have you done?" he screamed at Starscream.
The Seeker gave an insane grin before replying curtly: "Well... I refused your deal!"
He moved his smoking null-rays so that the two were now pointing at the trembling silver and purple Transformer.
"Why?" M1 stuttered.
"What did you think, M1? That I would follow you and the two other ghosts? That I would be tempted by your offer? You're so pathetic! But I have to thank you for one thing; you brought my faith back. I had given up any hope of earning Megatron's affection. I had thought that becoming his slave would bring me his undivided attention, and after my failure I had nothing to hold onto. I was resigned to my death. But now... I know I was wrong to give up so soon without a fight. I've never been as close as I am now to getting the better part of his spark!"
"You're wrong, Starscream! You will get nothing from M4 but slavery and humiliation! Are you that masochistic that you want to inflict such suffering upon yourself?"
"Masochistic, me?" repeated Starscream, amused, "Maybe a little... just enough to put some spice in my life."
"You're sick!"
"Humph! Who isn't? But I guess you cannot imagine how thrilling it is to be coveted by one of the most powerful being in the Universe! A brute that was not supposed to feel anything toward another creature and who finally discovered those emotions... because of me! Megatron recognized my uniqueness, and for that, I won't let him down!"
"But he will let you down one day! You'd better get rid of him once that day comes!"
"And what... leave... find another? A "gentle" Decepticon? An Autobot, maybe? If I had wanted to find such a bond-mate, I would have gone back to Skyfire. But I will never do so!"
"He's nothing else but a beast!"
"Perfect! I now realize that I need a beast in my lover!"
"You're hopeless!"
"Really? I don't think so. I understand now what Megatron liked in me. And I am too close to give up now!"
"He won't give you anything in return!"
"Oh yes, he will!"
"You're just dreaming!" spat M1.
"We shall see!"
O
Megatron saw with relief Starscream disintegrated M1 like his two siblings with a single shot of his null-rays. He felt his body being freed from the invisible force that had transformed him into a statue. Shaking slightly, he tried to stabilize his fragile balance to face the approaching Seeker. Starscream was walking slowly, gently smiling at him as if nothing had happened. Was it a new trap? Which fate was in store for him? The same as the three others? Megatron tried to convince himself that wouldn't be the case; what would be the benefit to Starscream if he destroyed him now, when agreeing to M1's deal would have been so much more rewarding? After all, he had even declared he wanted to get his… spark. Starscream wanted him more than anything else, didn't he?
He couldn't find any real answers for his questions, and stared at the Seeker when Starscream stood in front of him.
"You… chose me," Megatron eventually whispered.
"Are you surprised?" Starscream murmured in return, looking up. One of his hands touched Megatron's wrist, trailing softly along his arm to his shoulder. Relieved by this sign of affection, Megatron delicately gathered the flyer within his arms up and as he felt no resistance, gently kissed his face. He tightened his embrace, slowly drowning in a warm sensation of safety and relief.
He froze when he felt the barrel of a null-ray set against the plating of his mid-section. "Starscream!" he exclaimed, looking down at the Seeker.
"I know you don't want to say it, Megatron. But you will have to, or I swear this place will be your tomb. You will be forever a voice whispering in my head," calmly replied Starscream. The expression on his face was totally unreadable.
"Say… what?"
"That… you love me…"
Red optics met red optics, uncertainty faced determination. Megatron slowly lowered his face to Starscream, and set his forehead against the dark metal, while one of his hands came to brush the Seeker's nape gently.
"Tell me, Starscream," whispered Megatron, "If I do so, will you repay me with the same words?"
Starscream couldn't help but letting out a soft cry of surprise at this unexpected request.
(1) See "In what obedience lies"
To be continued…
I know... Another evil cliffy. Don't miss the next and last chapter of this fic: Chapter 7 – Epilogue.