Author's Note: Thanks to Exactlywhat (I try hard to make Starscream likeable and understandable in this story) and I am Blueberry for reviewing the last chapter. Enjoy and I own nothing but my OCs


Shades of Grey-Growing Up

Starscream had to admit that Shadow was growing up. Seven orns had passed and each one had brought new developments with the youngling. Mentally she was equal, if not ahead, of her brothers and if that pattern held in a few more orns she would be ready for her third and final frame. The one she would carry for the rest of her life. Starscream wasn't sure he was ready for that kind of development but she wasn't giving him a choice. She was already beginning to speak proper sentences without the curses that were often heard around the Nemesis. He shook his head an turned to more important things; like how long the temporary peace would last and if he would actually follow Soundwave's most recent suggestion.

Soundwave knew they needed some way too seem as if they weren't working together. His suggestion had seemed simple enough. Some of them would act as if they were irrevocably loyal to Megatron and a few would pretend, or not pretend as the case may be, to want Megatron's downfall. Starscream was to lead that side. Now that Shadow was old enough to block her end of the bond it was an acceptable risk. Starscream just had to work himself up to being able to do it.

He paced for a couple minutes before entering the rec room with his head held at an arrogant angle and his pace that of one who is above everyone else and can't be bothered to go any faster. It wasn't his typical behavior but everyone knew that he had talked back to Megatron for the first time and now they were expecting something different, something unusual. This would change how he had to act from now on. Starscream sat down in a chair at the edge of the room and glanced around him like he was surveying his prospective friends and enemies before leaning back and shuttering his optics.

Instantly the whisper began again and he let them flow around him until he picked up on something interesting. Thankfully it was from Reverb so no one would be insulted yet. "I heard Megatron has a plan to get back at the Autobots for the troubles at Kaon." Starscream let out a disbelieving snort and powered up his optics.

"You have something to say about this?" Shockwave drawled.

"Megatron could plan himself out of the upside of a hole," Starscream said, his expression filled with mirth. He could see Reverb fighting to keep from laughing but Shockwave's expression was a mixture of disbelief and anger.

"You're his SIC. You have to think of his plans better than that," the one eyed Decepticon snapped.

"I'm his SIC, yes but that doesn't mean I have to like him," Starscream drawled. Shockwave tried to kick the Seeker's chair out from under him but Starscream flowed easily to his feet. Their red optics met and there was a temporary standoff before Shockwave turned and stalked off, probably to tell Megatron all about his SIC's disobedience. Starscream and a few others laughed after him. "Let's face it; Megatron's day is long over," Starscream drawled expansively. "He's been in this too long. It's time for someone younger to take his place." Reverb and a few others left but most were hooked, hanging on to the SIC's every word.

"You have someone in mind?" TC drawled with a slight smirk.

"Of course," Starscream drawled back with a wide smirk. Soundwave he thought. "Me," he sneered. "After all I can actually plan and that sorry excuse for a glitch heap only gets us killed." That was when Megatron came in the room. The laughter quickly faded at the look on Megatron's faceplates but Starscream kept his smirk in place. He had a role play. Two breems later he was locked in the brig dripping energon and aching everywhere. This was going to be a long night shift. Once this was all over Starscream was going to be really tempted to kill Soundwave for suggesting this.