DINOBOT ISLAND - DECEPTICON BASE
The floor of the main room is littered with empty energon cubes. There's a thick trail of dirt leading from the new tunnel to a circle of four Decepticons sloppily seated on the floor. The focus of the four is an empty cube, spaced strategically centered among them, which offers them the apparently challenging task of bouncing a nut, bolt, or any other small object within reach into that centerpiece of simplistically endless entertainment.
Starscream's precious new toy sparks and hums as he fills up another round of cubes and distributes them generously to his fellow participants of debauchery.
STARSCREAM
So I says-- I says to him…"Whas your escuse this time, Megatron!? You lethee emeny get away!"…and t'make a long story short, s'how I got this (barely manages to point to the back of his head)…scar, righ'here…can ya see, this'n right here.
SHOCKWAVE
Sounds to me like you had it hic coming.
ICY BLITZWING
He alvays has it coming.
Starscream snaps an accusatory but wavering finger at the triple-changer.
STARSCREAM
As if you're a shining ecsample, Blisswing. What about th'time on Alpha Nine when we're aboutta ambush Rodimus' team and you compleely blew our cover.
SHOCKWAVE
I remember that -hic- mission. We were -hic- perfectly stealth until that petrorabbit scampered out--
RANDOM BLITZWING
(awakened by the alien term)
Oooohhhh-hee-hee, I almost had zat little robobunny in my servos until zee Autobots attacked me!
Starscream raises a disapproving brow to Shockwave.
STARSCREAM
You had to say it.
Shockwave drops his face into his claws.
ICY BLITZWING
(now calm and nostalgic)
I couldn't transform into my ground-vehicle mode for nearly a veek after Megatron finished wiz me.
SHOCKWAVE
(shaking his head)
I'm amazed you've lasted -hic- this long.
Chromia looks upon the three, overjoyed to be temporarily broken away from her dull existence and she basks in the tomfoolery with a heavy optics and a lazy grin. She tips a hefty gulp down her neck then pokes a flirty finger into Shockwave's leg.
CHROMIA
What about you Shawgwave…whas th'wors punishment you taken from Megatron?
STARSCREAM
(rolling his optics)
Pff…
HOTHEAD BLITZWING
Zis'll be a yawner.
SHOCKWAVE
I-- can't recall…
CHROMIA
(prodding)
C'mon, you can'be tha-stiff.
STARSCREAM
Yes he can.
SHOCKWAVE
I honestly can't remember ever -hic- receiving a severe punishment. My service to Megatron has been -hic- unfaultable. (he looks upon the interrogative femme with a questioning optic) You, however, raise many suspicions.
CHROMIA
(innocently)
How so?
SHOCKWAVE
For starters, why did you join the Autobot aca-hic-demy after the Quintessons departed the arena scene? You could have joined the Decepti-hic- ranks back then, especially since we were pistons-deep in the Great War.
CHROMIA
(shaking her head in protest)
Ther're no 'cons in Kaon back then…you guys'r strewn 'cross the gal'xee on a chaotic course to nowhere n'particular.
SHOCKWAVE
What about Swindle?
CHROMIA
He bought a starship with all tha'was lef'of the 'rena profits a made off with a heffy supply o'Quin-weaponry t'sell t'he highess bidder, r'gardless of faction…
HOTHEAD BLITZWING
Typical!
CHROMIA
…so I was leff with noth'n butta bunch of disor'drly drunkards.
Her words take a moment to sink in before the irony warrants a thoughtful pause and a few awkward glances from the group.
CHROMIA
(continuing)
The Autobots're winnin' th'war an'the Elee Guard's draftin' call spread far n'wide 'cross Cybertron…ope'nrollment fer all 'bots..naw jus vehicle-bots. So…for a lack-a-better-opshun, I went wi'them.
Starscream, with debatable concentration, successfully bounces a bolt into the center cube.
STARSCREAM
HA! Drink up, Blitzy.
Hothead grumbles and tilts his cube into the gap-tooth mouth, losing himself to a neurotic jagged grin once tasting the unfathomably pure liquid, then promptly switching to Icy to give his two cents in the conversation.
ICY BLITZWING
Zen you had no opinion on cause or creed, you just vent vis vichever faction had zee upper hand?
CHROMIA
A'the time…well…ya.
STARSCREAM
(fishing the area around him for another bolt)
Then what n'spired you to b'tray the Autoboss? They're still the ones wi'the most power…(deviously smirks as he pats his invention) for the time being.
The femme is contented to finally receive a shred of civility from the seeker and she dreamily slides down to rest her head upon the gangly arm of Shockwave.
CHROMIA
(romantically sighing)
Mmmmegatron inspired me.
STARSCREAM
(raises a brow)
Interesting.
CHROMIA
(daydreaming)
T'say the least. His legacy carried on so vivi'ly in th'rena scene. I w'spen-hours watchin' his ol' gla'iator vids, n'during the academy, I w'slip away when I could t'watch the ol' war vids of'm. (sighs again) What power…
STARSCREAM
Anyone else feel nauseous?
CHROMIA
(continuing)
M'spark jumped nearly outta m'chassis when wor'spread of his re'pearance. Affer so many boring stellar cycles a'service in, what I quiggly learn was a poin'less cause, I wan'd t'act irrationally…ditch the Elee Guard and fin'a passage t'Earth, but logi'circuits toll me t'lay low...wait for the prrfect opportune'ty to prove m'self to Megatron. An'then ther'he was…gif'wrapped and d'livered t'me…in stasis cuffs.
STARSCREAM
(unimpressed)
Such delusional loyalties.
Chromia pops her head up with offense and flicks a stray bolt at the seeker.
CHROMIA
Whashur prollum, Starscream! Why d'you hate Megatron s'much!?
The accused seeker dodges the projectile with innocent surprise.
STARSCREAM
Wha? I don--
HOTHEAD BLITZWING
Yeah, traitor! Vhy do you continually try to slag our leader!?
Starscream holds both hands up to his cockpit with innocent gesture and bestows his accusers with a sickeningly sincere expression.
STARSCREAM
(protesting soberly)
Have I done anything remotely harmful since you all got here?
SHOCKWAVE
(matter-of-fact-like)
It has only been a few solar cycles since our arrival.
STARSCREAM
Yes, but in that time I have uncovered a means of limitless power for Megatron. Don't you think if I had sideways intentions, I wouldn't be sitting here with you lot, intoxicated off my ailerons?
The attention of the room shifts to the sliding sound of the side door as a black and purple predacon beholds the scene with a conflicting expression of disgust and dumbfounding.
BLACKARACHNIA
What the spar-- (locks onto Chromia) What's she doing here?…(gestures to empty cubes) Why are you all wasting our-- Shockwave?! How could you let this…
The predacon cuts herself off with a slapping realization and refreshes her optics a couple times before continuing.
BLACKARACHNIA
Starscream!…Di-- did you figure out the formula?
STARSCREAM
(snapping with pride)
Whassit look like…you wanna drink?
BLACKARACHINA
(wide-eyed)
Slag yeah I wanna drink!
The seeker starts scooping up meager traces of dirt then pauses his actions, unsatisfied with the limited resources around him.
STARSCREAM
I have an idea. Let's take this up top…see if plant-based energon differs in taste from soil-based.
DINOBOT ISLAND - SURFACE - NIGHT
Starscream blasts a charred line into the ground directly in front of two tanks, who drastically differ in design to each other, as does their bug-like femme riders, and sit side by side with their engines rumbling.
The seeker jets up a short distance to position himself in respectful viewing distance of the events and raises his hands out in showman's fashion.
STARSCREAM
Ladies, Gentlemen, Dinobots. (looks over his shoulder questionably toward the cricket chirping forest)…This is Dinobot Island, right?
BLACKARACHINA
I'm pretty sure our ruckus has frightened them off.
STARSCREAM
(shrugging carelessly and continuing his announcement)
Please, bring your attention to me as I present to you a feast for your sensors. An event like nothing you've ever seen before…an evening of cataclysmic proportions boasting the grandest--
HOTHEAD BLITZWING
(shouting upward)
Do zee countdown already!
Chromia pushes an antagonizing grin to Blackarachnia.
CHROMIA
You're going down, Elita!
BLACKARACHNIA
(equally reciprocating)
Dream on, flutterbot…my ride's designed for earth terrain, not like your silly Cybertronian model.
SHOCKWAVE
Excuse me?
STARSCREAM
On my mark! Three-two-one…(pauses for effect) GOOOOOO!
The tanks grind out mechanically guttural growls as they slowly plow their tracks over the starting line, femmes slapping them with vicious cheering.
STARSCREAM
Oh c'mon, this is pathetic! Where's the initial boost of acceleration? Don't you buffoons know how to race?
HOTHEAD BLITZWING
Can it, broken brain, and wait for us at zee ozer end!
STARSCREAM
Broken br-- that's it! You and I are racing aerial-style next!
Starscream zips ahead toward the designated finish line then freezes mid-air as his audio receptors fill with the roar of familiar turbines above.
STARSCREAM
Oh slag.
A stream of energon trails from the silver and black helicopter as its rotors sputter and jerk with uneven revolutions. The bulky and ever-watchful purple jet flies close behind.
LUGNUT
Hang in there, Master. I can see the base from-- What the!!
Lugnut, aghast with fury, transforms and soars down to hover directly over the inexcusable sport playing out below. He's further enraged at the visage of discarded, empty energon cubes and wastes no time unleashing his disapproval.
LUGNUT
Our leader is in dire need of what little energon we have and you reckless imbeciles are…
The monstrous mech barrels into the ground with a furious fist and a roar that Unicron himself might shudder at. The punch sends the four tipsy 'cons helplessly bounding off the ground, ripping riders from their tanks.
The tanks transform and the femmes holler as they each fall with a humble thud to the ground around the towering punisher.
Megatron wearily transforms and touches down at the edge of the crater, still leaking energon profusely from his gaping wound, but too enraged to care at the moment.
MEGATRON
Shockwaaaaaave!
The guilty intelbot creaks up from his dent in the ground and quietly vocalizes to the winged femme beside him.
SHOCKWAVE
(scared stiff)
I believe we're about to experience first-hand the most severe retribution I'll ever receive from Megatron.
MEGATRON
(building from a growl to raspy roar)
I left you in charge and this is the outcome!?
Shockwave doesn't budge from the safe distance at the base of the crater, but Starscream sheepishly approaches his leader from behind and attempts a stuttering explanation.
The taxed tyrant simply snatches the glutton for punishment by the wing and lances him with a bone chilling glare.
STARSCREAM
(pathetically)
Ow-Ow, not the wing.
Starscream's pitiful expression drops to confused concern as he watches the gladiator's crimson optics dim to a dead burgundy and feels the powerful grip slide off his aching crinkled wing.
STARSCREAM
Me-- Megatron?
The impressively broad silver chassis, stained with layers of its own energon, collapses onto the confounded seeker, who buckles at the sudden lifeless weight.
Lugnut beholds the scene with horror.
LUGNUT
Master!!
STARSCREAM
(straining to support the lumbering load)
Little help, Lugnut!
Lugnut warps to his fallen mentor, carefully sliding the holy chassis into his unworthy claws then promptly back-handing a predictably apathetic seeker into the crater.
LUGNUT
Don't worry Master, I will take you inside.
DECEPTICON BASE - MAIN ROOM - ONE MEGA-CYCLE LATER
The revived Decepticon leader occupies the chair at the computer console, leaning forward against his stained legs, and watching with contented exhaustion as his subordinates transmute cube after cube of rich brown earth into energon.
Starscream stands at his leader's side, diligently welding a freshly-cleaned gouge of severed wires on the humbled tyrant's neck.
MEGATRON
Any organic substance will suffice?
STARSCREAM
That's correct.
MEGATRON
Must it originate from Earth?
STARSCREAM
Nope. I was able to transmute Blackarachnia's webbing which we know is native to Archa Seven.
MEGATRON
How much energon can a single shard produce?
STARSCREAM
I haven't measured the deterioration rate of the shard in-use yet, but judging by the looks of it, I'd say each shard, taking into consideration their varying sizes, should be able to churn out…
The seeker pauses his welding to mumble some calculations and mathematical jargon.
Megatron glances up with anticipation.
STARSCREAM
…a good, solid metric spark-ton of energon.
MEGATRON
(forming a tiny, satisfied smirk)
Hmm…excellent work, Starscream.
The pompous seeker manages a genuine smile as he resumes his role of medibot.
Megatron, forming an expression of scheming, averts his attention to the newest member of his motley crew.
MEGATRON
Autobot!
Chromia freezes in wide-eyed attentiveness.
MEGATRON
Come here.
Without hesitation, the doting femme expands her wings and soars up to the platform. She nervously taps down with a straightened posture directly in front of her muse, who's height still rises above hers, despite his seated position.
Before she can fully retract her wings, Megatron snatches each of them at the bottoms and stretches them out to by studied with curiosity.
The slightly stinging pinch of his servos on her delicate appendages is unmatched in sensation to the exhilaration of his touch and she desperately tries to suppress her thrill with squeaky ventilations.
MEGATRON
I understand you have processor-altering abilities?
CHROMIA
(breathy)
Yes sir.
MEGATRON
Good…I have an assignment for you.
CHROMIA
I will oblige with utmost honor my liege.
Starscream roles his optics at her pathetic groveling.
MEGATRON
When you meet with the Autobots here on Earth, I want you to 'interact' with the ninja before traveling back to Cyberton.
CHROMIA
(already knowing the answer)
Interact, sir?
MEGATRON
(sinister)
Yeeesss….distort his neural processes.
STARSCREAM
(slightly confused)
Didn't we already do that?
MEGATRON
(voice raised slightly with agitation)
He's learned to override his human influence with…(scowling) Processor over Matter. I underestimated the powers a trained cyber ninja is capable of. (voicing calming down) Tell me, Autob-- Chromia, are you capable of breaching such spiritual barriers?
CHROMIA
(pondering)
Processor over Matter…that's uh…that's no joke.
MEGATRON
(irritated again)
Then you are unable to assist in this matter?
CHROMIA
(back peddling)
No! Absolutely not, I mean, yes!…I can assist.
MEGATRON
I simply require that he remain unstable enough to keep the Autobots distracted. Is that too much to ask of you?
CHROMIA
(confident)
Not at all. He has a defiant spark by nature so if I focus on unearthing that aspect of his personality--
MEGATRON
Whatever, just get it done. (changing gears) Do you have any information to report regarding the Elite Guard's intentions toward recapturing us?
CHROMIA
Sentinel Magnus and Optimus Prime are in the early stages of planning an Elite Guard intervention here on Earth.
MEGATRON
Any idea as to when?
CHROMIA
Um…I haven't gathered enough information to make such a prediction yet.
Megatron glowers at the inadequate response and pulls the femme by her petite neck into his threatening glare. He's minutely distracted by her suddenly subdued level of fear and warm rush from her chassis dancing past his gripping servos, but dismissively files the observation away as unimportant.
MEGATRON
Then I suggest you attend to your assignment and return to Cybertron as quickly as possible.
The strangely relaxed femme basks in the intimate proximity before the glorified hand releases its grip. She takes a few unstable steps backward, catching herself before nearly tripping off the edge of the platform, then meeting the penetrating red optics again with a regretfully silly smirk.
CHROMIA
Yes sir, I will depart at once.
She expands her wings once more and flutters down toward the tunnel, turning to gesture a farewell nod to Shockwave, then fully transforming and disappearing down the passageway.
Starscream watches her exit then resumes focus on his leader's wound, shaking his head questioningly.
STARSCREAM
(accusing)
Why do you do that?
Megatron responds with an uninterested growl.
STARSCREAM
Why is it, the instant anyone gives you a unsatisfying answer, regardless of whether they're capable of supplying your informational needs, do you assume bully-mode, grabbing and pulling and threatening…
Without fail, Starscream's prodding has, once again, aroused annoyance from his leader, who reaches up and snatches the antagonist by the neck, forcing him down to optic level. The unfinished patch-job on Megatron's wound cracks under the sudden strain, squirting energon into Starscream's face and cutting the tyrant's intended chastisement off with a jabbing pain.
Both mechs grumble a duet of irritation and Megatron releases his hold from its familiar berth on the seeker's neck.
STARSCREAM
(wiping liquid from his pinched face)
Take it easy! Your welding hasn't fully hardened yet. (huffing as he attends to fixing the split wiring) Who did this to you? Was it the ninja? Is that why you've sentenced him to a severe processor-fragging?
MEGATRON
(bitterly)
Optimus Prime.
STARSCREAM
Oh-- well, better him then one of his flunkies.
MEGATRON
That pathetic excuse for a hero has interfered for the last--
STARSCREAM
(interrupting)
Don't start with the vengeful rhetoric, you'll raise your energon pressure and undo everything I just did here.
Megatron's taken off-guard by the seeker's questionable expression of concern and diverts his irritation from the stinging memory of the Autobot leader's assault back onto his incessantly unpredictable air commander.
MEGATRON
Since when do you find anything but amusement from my misfortunes? You've no doubt planted a bomb in my neck and intend to make off with the energon converter to use for your own failure-fated scheming.
STARSCREAM
(with a playful smirk)
Tempted…at the very least, but unfortunately, at this moment in time, I lack the necessary nanotechnology for an explosive of that caliber.
Megatron sighs with a relenting grumble.
MEGATRON
You are…an enigma.
STARSCREAM
Flattery, my liege? Wh--
MEGATRON
(abruptly)
It's not flattery, you…(unable to formulate a proper insult). Has that human influence on your processor truly inhibited your mutinous ambitions?
STARSCREAM
(passive)
Perhaps.
MEGATRON
(frustrated)
Don't play coy with me. The Starscream I know wouldn't remotely consider sharing a discovery of this magnitude, especially not with me. Do you not fully grasp the significance of your invention?
STARSCREAM
(still calm)
No, I'm quite aware of its potential.
MEGATRON
(demanding)
Then why are you still here?
STARSCREAM
Ah, Ah-- Watch the temper. (shifting uncomfortably) You…already know the answer to that question. You said it yourself…it's the human influence. (prattling on) He was a rather sickeningly moral man, an esteemed college professor no less, who highly valued the importance of teaching his students…(hesitates with uncertainly)
MEGATRON
(simmering down)
Teaching them what?
STARSCREAM
(meekly)
Teamwork.
MEGATRON
(slightly nauseous)
Hrrnnng…must it always resort to that?
STARSCREAM
Inevitably, yes.
Megatron pauses a moment, welcoming a scheming yet far-fetched idea into his processor.
MEGATRON
Then you would be willing to teach me the energon conversion formula?
Starscream bursts with a hearty laughter that catches the temporary attention of the 'cons across the room.
STARSCREAM
Even if your limited processor could grasp the concept, I'm not THAT far gone.
Megatron scowls at the mockery he just invited.
STARSCREAM
Do you honestly think I'd so willingly relinquish my only bargaining chip?
MEGATRON
I suspected not, but you cannot fault me for trying.
Starscream accepts the logic with a shrug.
MEGATRON
Which brings me to my original question, Starscream…
The comment and vocalization of his name sends the seeker back to his uneasy state.
MEGATRON
Why are you still here?
With a closing click of his patient's neck panel, Starscream finishes his task and tries to ignore the burdening question hanging overhead like a swollen rain cloud.
STARSCREAM
(nervous)
Okay, stand up…test out your stabilizers. That leg wound is superficial so there shouldn't be--
MEGATRON
(insistent)
Answer me, Starscream!
Megatron rises up casting an intimidating shadow over the cornered seeker.
STARSCREAM
(relenting with cowardice)
Because I…at this particular moment in time, given our circumstances in combination with your current plan to return us home…have gained a minimal level of…and quite possibly debatable…(mumbles in quiet retreat) respect…for you.
For a brief, time-suspended moment, the Decepticon leader allows a sincere smile to creep across his face, intended exclusively for his admittedly-tamed shrew-of-a-soldier, then turns slowly away to marvel at the quickly-multiplying supply of energon cubes. He steps down from the platform, his every movement gliding with satisfied dignity, which further jostl's the seeker's wounded pride.
Starscream is left to fidget discouragingly at yet another processor-tweaking and painfully enlightening encounter with the mech he can no longer, to his utter frustration, label as "Arch-Nemesis."