Freedom
Chapter 25: The Decepticon 2IC's Return
Surprisingly, Starscream's first job wasn't to plan an assault on Magnus' Rebellion; but to plan several defensive measures against it. The Decepticon spies had learned that the Autobots were planning a raid on one of the larger energon mines. If they succeeded in defeating the Decepticon guards and getting into the mines, they could have enough energon to last them solar-cycles.
Because they were forewarned, Starscream had a little time to put together a decent plan. All that was really needed was tightened security and the element of surprise.
Magnus' Rebellion never saw Starscream or his aerial assault coming.
Not until it was too late that is.
Not surprisingly, shortly into the battle, Sentinel Prime tried to ground Starscream once again. But this time, the Seeker was watching out for him and dodged. The Prime landed on his face with an audible thud.
Starscream chuckled at the cold glare sent his way. He wagged one claw and tsked as he flew around Sentinel and stated, "Ground me once, shame on you. Ground me twice, shame on me. And no Autobot has ever managed to ground me more than once, Prime."
Sentinel snarled, "We'll see about that Decepti-scum!"
Starscream, when the Prime made a grab for his ped, kicked the grounder in the face. Sentinel grunted and fell on his back.
Without landing, the Seeker picked the Prime up and brought him to his optics level. "You nearly killed me the last time we met, Autobot," Starscream stated calmly. "And I should end you for that; I have the right after all…However…My angel wouldn't like that. For some reason beyond me, he still considers you a friend."
Without another word, he dropped the Prime and flew to a different are of the battle.
XXX
The Autobots had no choice but to retreat or fall and be captured.
In the end, some of Magnus' Rebellion were ensnared anyway. The Decepticons hadn't captured enough to cause any real damage to the rebellion. However, the loss of much needed energon was bound to hurt them.
The knowledge that one of his mines had been saved pleased Megatron greatly. But Starscream knew it wouldn't appease his leader for long. In fact, he knew if the rebellion became too great a threat, Megatron would bring out his greatest weapon.
The weapon he kept safe in his estate and was within his grasp at all times. The weapon his most loyal died to remake…The weapon Megatron used to end the war and bring the Autobots to their knees…The All Spark.
Starscream had watched Megatron as he killed his own Decepticons to remake the ancient and powerful artifact. And he had watched as the warlord used it to decimate Cybertron and murder the Autobot Council…
He did not wish to see it all again…
Starscream used to wonder why the Autobots tossed the All Spark in a space bridge and allowed it to warp from place to place out of their reach. Now he knew why.
Starscream had the All Spark at one point in time. He destroyed a few buildings with it on Earth, but he didn't kill anyone with it. He had enough respect for it and his people not to use the All Spark as a tool for murder. But now that he had seen what the Decepticon Lord could do with it, Starscream agreed with the Autobots' decision.
Better the All Spark be in no one's servos than Megatron's.