Author Note: Some swearing people! It's about to go to hell in a handbasket for Phoenix.
Chapter 172 – Proof!
Phoenix P.O.V
''Phoenix!'' my name was shouted across the Rec Room with such vehemence and disgust it could only belong to one mech.
I sighed out loud and counted to three in my helm. /Seems ta work for Lennox/. ''What the fuck do you want now Starscream?'' I rose to my pedes placing the empty energon cube on the table beside my seat. I had not long returned from another mission to find the Star Saber and had returned empty handed yet again, something that annoyed not only myself, but Megatron. I was not in the mood for shit from this slagger. I felt a mixture of emotions churn through me – anger, frustration and exhaustion. I was tired. Tired of playing games with this prick, tired of leading a dual life, tired of being so far from my family and mostly, I was tired of being away from Optimus' side! /Primus I miss him!/.
I growled at him from across the room. ''If you've come to give me shit about the Star Saber, I don't see YOU presenting it to Megatron either!'' I placed my servos on my hips defiantly and glared at the Seeker as he strode purposefully into the room. There was something about the gleam in his optics that sent a warning chill through me.
A low, evil chuckle erupted from his dermas as he stalked towards me. ''Oh, I have something far more interesting to present to Lord Megatron than that mythical sword!''
I rolled my optics. ''This should be bloody good! Such as?'' I folded my arms across my chest as I fixed my optics on the vindictive mech. Around me I could feel and hear a small crowd gathering once again to watch the verbal sparring match between the arrogant Seeker and myself.
Coming to stand a short distance away from me, Starscream narrowed his optics and they flashed dangerously. Raising a servo towards me he pointed an accusing digit in my direction. ''That YOU, Phoenix, are nothing more than an Autobot spy and sympathiser that has infiltrated our ranks!''
I snorted out loud, my own optics flashing dangerously as I prepared to engage in this dance one more time. ''Starscream, I have done nothing but show loyalty towards the Decepticon cause since I deigned to join you,'' my voice rose in irritation, ''something I am beginning to regret given the disgraceful and distrustful manner in which I have been treated – manly by yourself, you pathetic sack of slag!'' I took a menacing step towards him, the first faint flicker of flames dancing along my frame. He did not react.
''Do not forget it was Lord Megatron that sought me out himself. It was HE who saw in me skills and talents FAR greater than your own pathetic offerings.'' I smiled at the look of annoyance that flashed across Starscream's face. ''You are simply jealous Starscream and want to get rid of me.'' I turned about to seek the attention of the growing audience. ''So, you can continue to plan your own deceitful, underhanded usurping of leadership from Megatron.'' There were mutterings amongst the crowd at my words and Starscream flinched slightly as my words found their mark. The smile on my dermas grew.
Yet again, he did not react. Instead, he laughed at me. ''Oh Phoenix! I have said this before and I still believe it to be true,'' he stalked closer towards me, leaning menacingly towards me. ''You do not have what it takes to be a Decepticon.'' His spittle flew out of his mouth, some of it landing on my face and I slowly wiped it away, my gaze never leaving his as the flames on my frame danced higher. ''In fact, I KNOW it to be true,'' he nodded at the crowd gathered, ''and very shortly so will EVERYONE else.'' He paused to look me directly in the optics. ''You have been tainted by the Autobots and their self-righteous leader Optimus Prime, and I, Starscream, have proof!''
For the first time in a long time, I began to feel a worrying feeling in pit of tanks, yet I did not let it show. ''And what proof would this be Starscream?''
Starscream spat at me again and I only just managed to refrain from lashing out at him. /Not yet!/. He glared at me and then smiled, a cold, calculating smile that made my ''skin'' crawl. ''My fellow Decepticons, I took it upon myself to keep a close optic on Phoenix since she arrived here as I was dubious of her intentions.'' He turned back to sneer at me, a corner of his dermas curving up. ''To that end, I have personally been monitoring her movements these past few weeks, placing a homing beacon on her during our last ''disagreement in this very room.'' Starscream's optics shone brightly with pure delight. Murmurs erupted again from the crowd.
My spark skipped a pulse and I felt myself flinch slightly at his words. /FUCK! How could I be so careless!/. I watched in annoyance as his victorious smile spread across his dermas. /He knows, the arsehole knows!/. ''And whom do you accuse me of liaising with during this time? I have not spoken to any Autobots during this time.'' It is technically true. /Technically/.
Starscream circled me slowly. ''While I have not seen you speaking to an Autobot, on the last three visits to the mainland, that irritating yellow scout, 'Bumblebee'' I believe is his rather unfortunate designation, was sighted nearby shortly after you departed. On your last two visits I noticed you left something behind. Something very similar to a data pad.''
I snort and shake my helm in disbelief. ''Starscream I know you hate me and I know you have wanted to be rid of me since the day I arrived in this shithole. But that sounds like you are clutching at straws even for YOU!'' I begin to walk away from him. /Shut him down, shut him down!/. ''You are lucky I do not end your miserable life right now for conspiring to spread such lies.''
Starscream's laugh was filled with malice as his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. ''It is not MY life I am worried about being ended. Lord Megatron has been informed of your actions.''
I halted in my tracks, and I felt a slight tremor sweep over my body. /FUCK!/. Spinning on my pedes, I stride back towards him, a sneer on my face and my servo clenched into a fist. I do not break my stride as I strike him, desperate to wipe the arrogant look off his face. As my servo connects with his face, I feel some satisfaction, but it is short lived. As cheers erupted from the crowd and I bring my other servo around to follow through with a nasty hook, Starscream lashes out at my midsection with his talon like claws. I gasp in pain as he tears long gouges in my plating, rending the metal apart and causing energon to spill as he tries to eviscerate me.
''YES! Got you bitch!'' He yells as a look of utter triumph and joy shine in his optics. Before I can retaliate, he swiftly brings his left servo down to land a heavy blow to my helm, knocking me off balance momentarily. Wasting no time, he lunges at me, and I only just manage to block the series of punches he aims at me.
Growling out loud in anger at both him and my own stupidity in allowing myself to be hurt by this prick, I go on the attack, alternating between well aimed kicks and punches. He manages to block most but I land a solid punch to his jaw and with a sweep of my right servo, I send him flying back, crashing into the wall.
As he quickly regains his footing, I stalk towards him, flames consuming my frame. My servos hold two balls of fire, and my optics are fixed on my target. ''COME ON YOU SLAGGER! LET'S END THIS NOW!''
Starscream's own optics burn brightly with utter contempt and hatred as he returns my stare. Raising his null ray, he prepares to fire, ''With pleasure you filthy Autobot spy!''
''ENOUGH!'' The command rings out loudly, echoing around the comm room. All helms snap in the direction it comes from, save for Starscream and I. We remain focused on each other. Neither willing to give quarter to the other.
Starscream growls and, though he does not take his optics off me, lowers his weapon. I also do not take my optics off him and whilst the flames still flicker and dance about me, they do not leap as high as they did moments ago.
The heavy pede falls of Megatron move to stand between us. His optics travel between us both. His face is impassive, until they note the nasty gashes in my mid-section. He rounds on the Seeker, his voice steely. ''Explain yourself Starscream. And be quick about it, my patience for you is at an all time low.''
At Megatron's reaction to my injury, a thought flashes through my processor. /Perhaps Starscream was bluffing about telling Megatron? Why would he be so concerned for my well-being if he knew what I had done?/.
Starscream sneers at me, though he dips his helm in deference. ''My Lord Megatron. As you know, I have not hidden my dislike of Phoenix and I have long believed her to be in league with the Autobots. A spy sent here to infiltrate our ranks.''
Megatron's optics flick towards me and he eyes me carefully. I return his stare, allowing the flames to die down. ''We have discussed this Starscream. Unless you have something more – tangible, more incriminating to back this accusation against Phoenix other than a feeling - you are on your very last warning.''
Starscream dips his helm lower. ''My Lord Megatron I do indeed believe I have proof of Phoenix's treachery against us.''
Megatron turns to face me. There is something in his optics that sets me on edge. There is something in the way he says, ''Go on,'' that sends an icy chill down my back struts.
''My Lord Megatron, I took it upon myself..''
''Skip the vanity Starscream and get to the point. You have limited time.'' Megatron's gaze does not leave me, and I suddenly feel very exposed.
''As you wish Lord Megatron. Over the past several weeks I have followed Phoenix, unbeknownst to her, to the mainland when she would leave on one of her solo missions to supposedly search for Dark Energon or the Star Saber.'' Starscream glares threateningly at me, and I return his stare. ''On the last three visits I noticed a familiar yellow scout at the same location Phoenix visited shortly after she departed the area.'' Starscream cast his optics towards Megatron, a knowing look on his face. ''I believe it to be that insufferable youngling Bumblebee, you remember him.''
'Ahh, yes,'' Megatron took a step towards me. ''I remember having the pleasure of crushing his voice box at the battle of Tyger Pax. I admit he was brave attempting to take me on. Might have made a decent Decepticon - if Prime hadn't polluted his processor.''
I fought to control my anger at his words, clenching my fists by my side. An action that did not go unnoticed by Megatron. He leant in towards me as he made a pass by me. ''Still has trouble speaking I believe.'' He stopped behind me, leaning forward to whisper in my audial. ''Isn't that true Phoenix?''
I snorted derisively. ''I wouldn't know, neither do I care. I didn't have much to do with him when I WAS with them.'' I half turned to face him. ''I am not sure where you are all headed with this line of questioning, and I warn you now – tread carefully with your accusations.''
Megatron laughed and continued circling around me. The gathered crowd drew closer. ''Continue, Starscream.''
Starscream nodded his helm, his optics shining brightly as he resumed speaking. ''On two of those occasions, I witnessed Phoenix leave behind something that very much resembled a data pad. I can only assume that was how she was contacting the Autobots as we have not been able to detect any incoming, or outgoing, messages on their frequency or with their encryption.''
Despite the rising fear I simply snorted at that self-righteous slagger. ''And do you have said data pad in your possession Starscream?'' I raised an optic ridge at him questioningly.
Some of the delight burning away in his optics faded momentarily. ''No. I do not. That meddlesome scout retrieved it before I could lay my servos on it!''
I held his gaze, a small smile of triumph spreading across my dermas. ''Well, you have nothing to prove it then do you arsehole?'' I felt some measure of relief course through me again. I turned to Megatron, who was watching me very intently, an indecipherable look on his face. ''How much longer do I,'' I looked about the room at the gathered 'Cons, ''do we all need to endure this slagger's bullshit before I am allowed to silence him for good?''
Starscream made the equivalent of a cough drawing attention back to himself. ''Well, nothing HERE.''
That sinking feeling returned, and my spark constricted tightly in my chest. ''What do you mean, ''nothing here?'' I clutched at my damaged midsection as a wave of pain and concern swept through me.
A look of utter enjoyment radiated from Starscream as he continued in his explanation. ''My Seekers and I found something far better than a data pad that can – validate – everything I have just spoken about.''
I snorted in irritation. ''And what exactly might you have found?'' I felt sick to the pit of my tanks at the thought of what it could be, yet I stared determinedly back at my accuser.
Starscream sent me a chilling smile. Pure delight danced in his optics as he cast his glance from me and then to Megatron. ''Lord Megatron, I believe it is best we show Phoenix this evidence rather than tell her.'' He turned away from me to face his leader. ''I humbly request permission to escort you – and the traitorous Phoenix – to where we have our evidence waiting for your - examination.''
Megatron gazed past Starscream towards me. I stood tall and held his gaze. His face was once again inscrutable, but his optics. They were filled with a simmering anger as he clearly began to suspect his former Commander of his Seekers may be telling the truth. However, that was not what bothered me the most. What bothered me more was the flicker of something else in those ruby, red optics.
Betrayal and pain.
His cold, calculating gaze never left mine as he replied to Starscream in a low, gravelly voice. ''Permission granted Starscream.''