Chapter 5
"The defenses around Iacon are not going to be easy to get by, Megatron." Orion Pax remarked as we were gathered around a table projector showing us a map of Iacon. "There are torrents, the Iacon Guard, the militia, the-"
"The soldiers of Iacon will not be a problem." Megatron interjected with a wave of an ebony servo.
Orion raised an optical ridge. "What makes you so sure that your untrained, motley crew could defeat the forces of Zeta Prime?"
Megatron smirked, then turned to me. "Seeker Starscream, you have anything to say?"
I perked my wings, standing there by him with my trinemates. "Me?"
"Yes, you. You're the leader of the Seekers, a race of warriors. Surely you have something to add?"
I glanced from the hologram map to him a couple of times before stepping forward. "W-well… The city is heavily fortified and difficult to outnumber given the military under the Senate control, but…"
"But?" Megatron pried.
"But…" I studied the hologram, then the notes on the forces for a moment before continuing. "But, the city has its own weakness due to size."
"Elaborate."
I glanced at Megatron, then at Orion. I might have been the top of my class at the military academy in Vos, and succeeded in my officer coursework and training, but that was school. This… This was actually being in the position of putting lives at risk. Numbers still, yes, but the numbers now representing actual lives. And some of those lives were my Seekers. I was nervous that if they took my advice and I was wrong… How many would die? But, I was the only one there with proper military training, and Megatron knew this.
"The militia of Iacon is not consolidated. They do not keep them at a single barracks and release as a whole on a single threat. They are spread out. Permeated throughout the entire city." I gestured with my servos over the hologram. "This means attacking any location you must still compete with some fraction of their forces. And given how it's a walled city, that gives them even more of an advantage."
"And how do we defeat them?" Megatron pushed.
"I-it's not a matter of necessarily 'defeating' them, my lord. It's… Thinning the herd to the point of them being unable to fight back. What should be implemented, i-in my opinion, is that a distraction be directed at the southern quadrant, the furthest from the Citadel, which is our primary objective. The militia will undoubtedly migrate to that section to handle the attack, and this may mean half or all of the militia will move there. On the opposite side, the primary attack force will move in, to which their primary objective being to take out the turrets. Once the turrets are destroyed my Seekers will be able to fly in and then the city is ours."
"You're overly confident that you fliers hold the key to victory." Prowl grunted as he crossed his arms.
I narrowed my optics. "You have never seen a Seeker kill before, have you?"
"Can't say I have."
"Then you have no room to speak."
"How do you propose taking out the turrets and getting troops into the city?" Megatron questioned.
"We have plenty of tanks in the Decepticon ranks. They destroy the turrets and other canons. We also have Decepticons who are former military and know how to make bombs. Breach the wall, Seekers, and then transport. I own a space port. Getting ships is not difficult."
"You trust this Seeker?" Orion gestured to me as if I was some inanimate object as he looked at Megatron.
Megatron gave me a sidelong look before gazing back at the truck. "I do on this."
"We don't have much time to prepare. Zeta will already be making more of those weapons." Prowl added.
"The Seekers are ready, now." I spoke. "I'll summon a ship for you grounders when you are efficiently prepared."
"Do so, Starscream." Megatron ordered. "We shall attack tomorrow."
I inclined my helm before turning and walking out with my mates. I bit my lower lip plate, not sure about that half aft plan I hatched out just then, but maybe it might work. I knew about the Iacon militia from the War Academy, but I still had never done a military campaign in real life before…
"We need to get back to Vos." I quickly stated. "I need to talk to carrier."
Skywarp had teleported us back to the palace and I quickly went to the quarters of my carrier. She answered the knock on her door after half a klik, her wings perking when she saw me.
"I've been wondering where you've been. Get in." She ordered me, stepping aside.
I entered, leaving my trinemates outside. "Apologies for disappearing so much, carrier. I've been busy." I spoke respectfully, sitting on her couch.
Carrier crossed her arms as she stood before me, her wings now flaring. "'Busy?' Starscream, you are never at the palace. You're not seeing to the Seekers nor Vos. You're out being some… Vigilante or whatever you call those Decepticons. And last I heard is you summon Seekers to battle, and yet specifically order me, your creations, and siblings to remain in Vos? Is this war you are bringing so dangerous you know many shall die so you leave me here? Why would you bring about this war?"
"The Decepticons are fighting for equality. You know this. And this is why most of the Seekers now have decided to join."
"No, they join because they follow their Alpha. You made them join."
"I never forced this upon anyone."
"You did. The moment you bent the knee to that grounder you enslaved us all to him."
I narrowed my optics. "We're not slaves."
"No, just now we must obey a grounder."
I stood. "Carrier, I'm doing what I must to protect us, Vos, and ensure we have a future."
"Starting a war isn't a future."
"A war to ensure we have peace and aren't treated like trash is a future. Carrier, this war was bound to happen with or without my involvement, or me becoming the Alpha. We needed to pick a side, and I chose the side that wasn't enslaving its members."
"And yet we must obey a grounder?"
"A grounder who sees us as equals. Carrier…" I grabbed her upper arms. "Zeta Prime is murdering people en masse. Nyon has already been destroyed. Vos may be another target of his. We must fight and vanquish the Senate once and for all. And us Seekers are the best bet we have at winning. We are the warrior elite. Many warriors are part of the Decepticons, yes, but they are not unified, they are not as trained as we are. They aren't all fliers. We will bring victory, and with the eradication of the Senate and Functionist Council we will have peace, equality, and Vos can finally pull away and be fully independent. And we will be free. Truly free of grounder influence and control."
She bit her lower lip plate, studying me, and I knew she was seeing her little sparkling crawling on the floor and blabbering gibberish. She saw her little sparkling, not the trained, deadly weapon that I now was before her.
"I just… I get why you're doing this… I get you see this as the best option and… You want what's best for us… But to submit to a grounder… And to… I'm scared for you. What if you die? What if you are torn apart and-" She swallowed, coolant filling her optics. "I-I can't lose my sparkling."
"You're not going to lose me, carrier." I hugged her, and she hugged me back. "You know I'm too fabulous and cunning to ever be shot or taken advantage of. If anything, I'd be taken prisoner and kept as a pet in a cage to marvel at my superiority, but Skywarp and Thunder would then bust me out because the power of their erections would compel them to regardless of risks."
She faintly smiled. "They would free you. And I trust them taking care of you. Well, Thundercracker at least."
"He takes exceptional care of me. And you know he'd never let anyone get near me. He's so possessive of me…"
"He is." She looked up at me. "But a carrier will still worry."
"I know."
"Did you come to reassure me you won't die on whatever grand scheme you have next?"
"Not exactly… I came for your advice."
"On what?"
"On everything. You know I can only function with you guiding me with your infinite wisdom."
"Yes, you'd be lost without me."
"I'd completely lose myself without you." I sat down and waited for her to sit beside me before continuing. "We're attacking Iacon to take out Zeta Prime and his war machines. Megatron asked me for my advice on how to storm the city and I gave it. He trusts me and is going with my plan."
"Do you doubt your plan?" She perked her wings, holding my servo in her dainty, blue one.
"I mean, who wouldn't? I've never done this slag before. In simulations at the Academy, sure, but this is real life. And we aren't fighting some organic species or invaders. It's fellow Cybertronians. And I worry about Skyfire who as far as I know still is in Iacon."
"Has he still not spoken to you?"
I swallowed. "Yes… No replies to my messages or calls. It's as if he was erased off the planet and I'm worried. But not like I can go visit him in Iacon. Not until this mess clears up."
"Maybe he's scared that if he talks to you those Autobots he's around may hurt him."
"I've considered that as well. So, that's why I'm not pushing it. If I must distance myself for his safety, so be it. I just… Don't want him getting hurt. And if this battle goes south… I pray he isn't in the city."
"It won't. You're a very intelligent mech. Your plan will work. Just speak to your advisors, and Asperitas. He's been in wars before. He knows."
"I will speak to them. I need all the help I can get. I trust them."
"See? You're the perfect leader. You listen and learn. The ones who don't do that are the ones who fail." She smiled at me.
"I better listen to you, carrier. I think I'd die if I didn't have you to guide me."
"True. But, you can still make your own decisions." She leaned back on the couch. "Why won't you let me fight with you?"
"Because I care too much." I leaned back as well. "I have to protect you and my creations at all costs."
"You also need capable warriors."
"You stay in Vos because I need you to defend Vos. If I am killed or otherwise incapacitated, I trust you to run things until the new Alpha takes over. Which better be Zephyr because she definitely would be perfect. She can scare me…"
"I am willing to guard Vos. But I will be freaking out knowing you are off battling. You and my other creations you have taken with you."
"No one will care if Hellfire got shot…"
She glared at me. "That's not nice."
"Apologies."
"You love him and you need to be nice to him."
"Yes, carrier."
"It will be him that has your back before those other Seekers do anything to save you."
"Don't think that just because we share the same carrier that my full siblings all love me. Nacreous still hates me."
"You haven't spoken to him in stellar cycles."
"He kinda killed Maelstrom, so…"
"Starscream… You two need to make up."
"I'll make up with him when he stops being an aft. I'm not here to talk about my siblings and family drama. I'm here for advice regarding this slagging attack on Iacon, and the future of the Seekers, and my role as the Alpha."
"And how wise your carrier is."
"Slag yeah."
"Starscream…" She looked up at me as she took my servo in hers. "You're the Alpha, now. You're a brilliant mech, you are taking the Seekers somewhere we've never been before because you are a visionary. You a young turk who is willing to make sacrifices and changes to better the lives of those you care for. And you care for all of the Seekers. I can only guide you so much, but in the end it is your choice, your rule, and we follow you to whatever end you shall lead us to."
"I don't want to lead us to an end. I want to lead us into a new beginning that never has an end. Just freedom, peace, and happiness. A future where we no longer have to be warriors, and train since birth. No fear of what others will do to us, no pain, no punishments, no dominating, no killing, no… Inner monsters coming out at the slightest scent of spilt energon. Just us to be… Normal Cybertronians living a happy life."
"The Seekers may never live a life where we mustn't kill." She said it quietly.
I studied her servo as she held mine. "No… Perhaps not. But, maybe we can have a life where not everyone must know to kill to ensure they aren't killed upon leaving their creators' trine." I paused. "It was weird going to public school where I was the only youngling who knew how to fight and kill, while all my friends, all the other students, never held a gun or knife before. They knew only how to relax, how to be happy, and be safe. They didn't fear that one orbital cycle someone may try to murder them and they must be able to fight and kill the attacker. They didn't know the fear of potentially being stabbed or raped every orbital cycle for just walking down the street. They didn't know fear, or distrust, or needing to clutch their carriers for safety. They just did whatever they wanted without ever needing to be ready to fight for their life." I looked up at her. "And I want that for the next generation of Seekers. To not have to be trained for battle when still learning how to walk. And if the Decepticons bring us that future, I need to follow it."
"Then do what you must, my little Star. I'll stand by you no matter what. We all shall. But I still am wary of Megatron and the others."
"Be wary. Better be wary than dead."
"A wise statement."
"I learn it from you, carrier." I smiled at her.
She smiled back, her servos cupping my faceplates, holding me close as she nuzzled her olfactory sensor against mine. "I'm so proud of you, Starscream. From the moment I first held you I knew you would do great things. You are destined to change the world."
"And you know this, how?" I fluttered my wings, nuzzling her back.
"A carrier knows. And I know you. I know you better than anyone."
"You do."
She kissed me on the cheekplates. "Be careful out there, my little Star. Bring a severed helm home to your carrier."
"I'll bring you five." I smirked.
"I'd love five." She nuzzled me again.
"As you command, carrier." I took her servo and kissed her on the knuckles.
"I raised such a gentlemech." She smiled, her wings fluttering. "Never change, my love."
"Never when I have you."
"I know. A carrier always knows."
"Come on, Stars. I can help out!"
"Gearshift, you can't fight." I snapped, walking down the halls of Kolkular with my trinemates in formation behind me, Gearshift to my right, and Asperitas trailing just behind. "You shall stay here or return to Vos."
"But I need to help you."
"You can help me by not dying." I gave him a stern expression, wings flaring to get it through to him I was not changing my processor.
"Are you just trying to protect me, or-"
"You can't fight, so allowing you to come with us would only result in your untimely demise. And I rather you not die prematurely when I still have use of you."
He smiled. "Still gonna enslave me and make me your glitch?"
I smiled back. "No, it's the other way around. You know I'm your glitch."
He rolled his optics. "It's true, but I still want to do more than sit around with my thumbs up my aft."
"What kind of porn have you've been watching?" I raised an optical ridge.
"You know what I mean."
"You can assist me by keeping an optic on things. You know there are some Decepticons that just are… Off-putting to me."
"Like that Scorponok fella?"
"Him, and Shockwave, Overlord, Thunderwing, Hun-Gurr and his crew, that Gigatron guy…" I flicked my wings. "They make me all uncomfortable."
"I can spy. No one ever suspects me." He innocently grinned.
"Of course not. Because you can't fight."
"I can do other things of worth."
"Somewhat." I perked my wings as we passed another Decepticon.
"Hey, Starscream!" He awkwardly waved.
"Hello, Damus." I inclined my helm, wishing I knew what this freak would become.
We continued on, passing other Decepticons and chatting about the oncoming battle when I saw someone I most certainly didn't want to see.
"Hello, Starscream."
I stopped, looking up at Berserker. I swallowed, wings lowering. I forced my vocalizer to be steady, but my trinemates still detected how nervous I was. "H-hello, Berserker."
The crime lord smiled smugly, leering over me as if I was his glitch. "How are you fairing?"
I was about to answer, but Thundercracker broke formation to step in front of me, pushing me behind him. His wings flared, optics narrowed, and lip plates curled in a snarl.
"I don't like you. So go frag off elsewhere, vermin." Thundercracker growled, flicking his wings.
I didn't say anything, allowing Thundercracker to handle this. Maybe if Berserker saw how scary my mates were, and how well protected I was, he'd leave me alone. I didn't need to defend myself from this freak when I had my trinemates with me, or my royal guards, or any Seekers.
Berserker kept that ugly grin of his plastered on his hideous faceplates. "Most don't like me. But that is no reason to be rude, Seeker."
"That wasn't rudeness, it was a threat." Thundercracker flicked his wings again, engine growling. "Frag off."
Skywarp stepped forward, flaring his wings as he snarled and displayed aggression at the grounder. I stayed behind them, cowardly of me, I know, but I kept seeing Brakelight. And whenever I see him… I can't stop him.
Gearshift wasn't sure what was happening, so just stayed beside me. Asperitas remained silent, wings flared, glaring at the grounder.
Berserker wasn't stupid. He saw several angry Seekers before him and knew he was no match. Best not to push anything this orbital cycle.
"Fine then. I'll depart." He winked at me before turning and walking away with a dry chuckle.
Thundercracker didn't quiet his engine until the grounder was gone. My trinemates turned to me, their wings lowering.
"Scree? You alright?" Skywarp softly asked.
I suddenly realized that I was beginning to sob, coolant streaming down my cheekplates. Skywarp swallowed, then hugged me.
"What's wrong?" Thundercracker asked firmly, but not angrily. More in a protective tone promising death to whoever made me upset than being targeted towards me.
I didn't want to tell them that I was having a breakdown because of Berserker sexually assaulting me. No, I didn't want to be known as a whore, much less to my mates. But, thinking about Brakelight was probably the primary cause of this breakdown anyway. He caused millions of them before and would after.
"Brakelight." I spoke in a barely audible whisper.
Thundercracker gave a quick nod, confirming he understood. "Let's get some air. We need to practice for the battle tomorrow, anyway."
I nodded, allowing Skywarp to pick me up and carry me bridal style. I didn't really care if the other Decepticons saw me being carried by one of my mates. I was a king after all, so why should I walk anywhere? It didn't mean I was weak, just taking advantage of my position. At least, that's all they needed to suspect.
"Star, you need anything from me?" Gearshift asked.
"Nothing you can do. Just stay with me." I quietly replied.
"I can do that.
We went onto one of the balconies of Kolkular and Skywarp set me down. I turned to Gearshift, feeling better as the old memories returned to me.
"Want to ride me?" I said louder, feeling better already.
Gearshift rolled his optics. "And you drop me and watch me splatter on the street?" He smiled. "Sure. It's been a while."
"Just don't fall off." I teased, fluttering my wings as I turned around, almost smacking them against his face.
"I try not to." He grunted, watching me transform. "Don't do anything insane…"
"I won't."
He climbed onto me and sat down, feeling heavier than I remembered.
"Primus, you're so fat! I don't know if I'll be able to take off!"
"Shut up."
I giggled, then flew, feeling him wrap his arms around me and hold on tight. My trinemates and Asperitas transformed and followed, and soon I was able to forget about that creep, and have some fun with my best friend and mates.
My spark was pulsating quickly as we neared Iacon. The Seekers followed behind me, my mates directly at my rear on either side. The transport ships carrying the other Decepticons followed nearby, and forces already on the ground sped towards the walled city.
It was time for the battle of Iacon, my first invasion of a city, and the first time a strategy of mine would be used during the war. To say I was nervous would be a vast understatement, but I had to control my emotions and stay focused on the task at servo. We had a Prime to kill, and his minions to annihilate. Better we charge into Iacon than they come to my Vos.
::Begin the attack.::
I heard Megatron's vocalizer rang out on the commlink, and I felt my spark tearing inside of me.
"Seekers," I spoke over the commlink to my warriors. "Hold attack formation." I saw the cannons, saw the lasers firing from them at the ground troops, then at us as we neared. "Skywarp, teleport to point zero-three and continue harassment!"
::On it, Scree!:: He disappeared in a flash of purple.
"Thundercracker, Ramjet, Vector, Pitchback, Fallstreak, take out those cannons ahead!"
::Copy that.:: Thundercracker intoned, him and the other Seekers I just designated banking away to do as commanded.
"The rest of you, stay on my aft!"
I led my Seekers, firing and distracting the cannons best we could as the others got in closer to destroy them.
::Guns are slag, Starscream!:: Thundercracker apprised me once they eradicated the last one.
"Excellent." I switched my commlink. "Astrotrain, we have air superiority!" I inwardly smiled, my plan working thus far and my Seekers still safe. "You may proceed to the drop-zone."
I watched as Astrotrain in his shuttle form flew into the city. He was carrying Megatron and Orion Pax, and they were headed for the Citadel. One of Soundwave's spies found out a Senate meeting was currently being held, and that meant the Prime would be there.
::They are in!:: Astrotrain's vocalizer rang through the commlink.
"Seekers, break formation and concentrate on destroying the sentinels. Any resistance, destroy without hesitation. Avoid civilian casualties." I ordered, flying over the city, watching as the ground forces broke in and began to overrun the metropolis.
I banked hard to the right, racing by the part of the city that used to be my home. The Science Academy, the school my sparklings went to… I hoped it wouldn't be harmed for the sentimental value at least.
::Doing alright?:: Thundercracker inquired as he caught up with me, soon Skywarp on the opposite side of him.
::I'm fine. I think. My spark is pulsating so much it's hurting.::
::Calm yourself. We got you.::
::Yeah, Scree! Besides, we're safe up here. It's those losers on the ground who are in real danger.:: Skywarp piped up.
::We need to give aid to those 'losers' on the ground.:: I banked, seeing the Citadel. ::We might need to give Megatron backup. Who knows what is-::
I stopped when part of the Citadel exploded. I swallowed, nervous for Megatron. I sped forward, engines screaming as I raced to the Citadel. I transformed and landed on the roof, at the edge of a gaping hole. My trinemates landed beside me, our wings perking as we peered within. I could barely make out a figure within, so taking the chance, I hopped down, activated my thrusters just before landing, and touched down safely.
The large figure turned, wounded but functional. My wings perked as I smiled, quickly wiping it away because fierce warriors don't smile. "Megatron?"
He exhaled loudly, taking a moment before speaking. "Orion and Zeta are dead. Get me to Soundwave."
I quickly nodded, activating my commlink. "Soundwave, to the Citadel."
Megatron had Soundwave hack into the city's communication frame, the same one used by the Prime, and soon Megatron's visage was seen on vidscreens throughout the city.
"Citizens of Cybertron, the Autocracy has been broken!" He proclaimed. The oppressive rule of the Primes is over. Now begins a new age of order and justice for all! We Decepticons now control Iacon's Data Net and Defense Grids. Our soldiers will keep the peace in your sectors! We are the law now!
"But I am not without mercy. I hereby offer amnesty to all Autobots who wish to join us in rebuilding our once great society. Those who refuse… will be dealt with in kind."
I bit my lower lip plate, my trinemates beside me as I stood in the room with Megatron, Soundwave, Shockwave, Scorponok, and a few others. I didn't expect victory so quickly, nor in this manner. I thought some election might take place at least… I was so naïve.
"Starscream, have your Seekers patrol the city and round up any Autobots." Megatron gruffly ordered.
"It will be done." I inclined my helm before pivoting on a heel and exiting the room, my mates staying with me.
"Starscream, this is getting out of servo." Thundercracker hastily grunted. "Stopping Zeta was one thing, requiring the brute force and explosions and everything, but this part… This wasn't part of the plan! We didn't come here to be conquerors, merely to remove the dictator and establish peace!"
"You don't think I recognize the gravity of the situation?" I snapped. "The plan changed. But it's not entirely bad. Megatron is in charge and he can help end the oppression a-and everything bad happening on Cybertron. It's not the end of the world."
Thundercracker flicked his wings. "Starscream, I love you… But you are so young and naïve sometimes!" He stomped a ped down in frustration.
I twirled around to face him, wings flaring. "And you're just pissed because you're not in charge anymore!"
"That is not true!" He bellowed, his own wings flaring.
"SHUT UP! ARGH! I JUST CAN'T WITH YOU SOMETIMES!" I stomped my peds, fists balled at my sides.
"See? Proving me right with your immature behavior and jejune rationality." He jabbed a digit at me.
"I am your trineleader and your Alpha!" I screamed. "And I command you-"
"Sir!" I jumped as a servo grasped my wrist, turning me around. Asperitas stood there along with a few other Seekers. "Now is not the time." He whispered into my audio receptor. "You can argue with your trinemates later. We need you, now. Please, we are confused and lost."
I looked up at him, wings lowering as I calmed down. He was right. I may not be able to control the situation, but I had to make do with what was happening. My Seekers came first.
"We patrol the city and round up Autobots. We keep our helms down and the conflict will resolve itself." I said it more to myself than to them. "Everyone is just worked up from Zeta trying to decimate us all. Th-there will be some panic and confusion but we'll get through this night and everything will be peachy in the morning."
Thundercracker rolled his optics.
"We obey your every word, Alpha." Asperitas inclined his helm. "I will apprise the others."
I watched him go, biting my digit tips as I thought. Thundercracker pulled my servo away from my face.
"Don't do that. You always hurt yourself." He said it softly.
"I think better with the pain." I grunted, returning my servo so I could bite my digits again. It hurt.
"Let's find you some energon." He grabbed my arm and pulled me down the corridor.
I calmed down with a glass of energon, collected myself, and reminded myself I had to act the tough guy routine, not the scared sparkling. I wasn't ready for war, I wasn't ready for leadership! But here I was… In the midst of both.
I was on my way back to where Megatron had established his base of operations when I ran into the newly caught Autobots. The last of them who had made their stand against the Decepticons. I perked my wings, seeing them in their manacles, glancing dirty looks my way. I couldn't show I was a scared Seekerlet, so chose to say something only a confident person would say.
"Not so high and mighty without your fearless leader, you are? Pathetic." I ended it with a wing flick, and they only glared more intensely at me. Tough crowd. I then recognized the one Autobot Megatron had used to show Orion what Zeta had been up to. "You. Hot Rod, right? From Nyon?" I grabbed his shoulder to stop him.
"You know me?" He turned to me.
"We know how hard you fought the system. What you've sacrificed. If you really want to make a difference and avenge the ghosts of your people, you should come with us." I smiled, wings perking.
He looked at me, then at the other Autobots. "What happens to them?"
I shrugged" "That's up to Megatron, but I doubt it'll be pleasant." I paused. "I'll apprise him you are here. I'm sure he'd love to have a word with you."
He didn't say anything, so I gestured for Blitzwing to take him away with the others. I watched them leave before entering the Citadel and finding Megatron. The ex-gladiator was on a balcony near the top, overlooking the city as the sun began to rise.
"Lovely morning." I spoke, noticing Soundwave standing in the shadows not far away, watching.
"Starscream." He grunted, not looking at me. "Your Seekers have done well."
"We are only the best, my lord." I smirked, wings perking. I liked the compliment and hoped for more.
"Soundwave has informed me that the Autobots have been captured. Since you are a Seeker… I want you to get any information you can from them."
"Information regarding…?"
"Anything. Who knows what secrets they may have that will benefit Cybertron. Perhaps secrets from the Senate itself."
"I have never interrogated anyone before, minus my creations. And to be honest, they always won. Perhaps someone else would be more proficient than I?"
"No, you do it. They will be more scared of a Seeker than some common build."
"True." I bit my lower lip plate, not sure if I could ever torture someone. "That Hot Rod is amongst them."
"Ah, yes. Send him to me."
"It will be done. And I'll… Interrogate the Autobots."
I turned and walked away, biting my digit tips again. I soon ran into my mates who were making crude remarks about the facial features of Lugnut.
"Hey, I need you two to go with me to the prison."
"What for?" Thundercracker perked his wings.
"Have to escort a prisoner to Megatron because he wishes to speak to them. Come on." I walked by them, and they silently followed.
I made my way to the prison, stopping a moment to study the mechs locked inside.
"That one, Hot Rod, let him out." I ordered the Decepticon guarding. "Megatron wishes to speak to him."
The Decepticon did as requested and Hot Rod was soon released from the cell.
"Take him to Megatron." I shoved the Autobot at my mates.
"You not coming?" Skywarp perked his wings.
"I will. Just got something to do here first."
"Such as?" Thundercracker drawled, raising an optical ridge.
"Um, maybe one of them knows… Where Skyfire is." I smiled innocently.
Thundercracker shrugged. "Fine. But be careful. They might be carrying a virus."
"Yes, 'carrier.'" I rolled my optics, then watched them depart. Once gone, I turned to the Autobots. "Okay… I have been told to interrogate you. So… Let's do this!" I clapped my servos together, awkwardly smiling. They did not seem amused, some of their optics widening. "Oh, don't be like that. It shouldn't be a huge fuss. Um, let me see… Uhhhhhhhh….. You. I will start with you." I pointed to the Autobot who I later would know as Ironhide. "Come on, this might be fun."
The guard took him out of the cell and I led him to another room. Blitzwing helped me tie the Autobot down to a chair, then returned to help guard the others.
"So… We could do this the hard way… Or the easy way. Your choice." I smirked, leaning against the table.
"Ah ain't sayin' nothin'!" He spat, servos in tight fists.
"Rude. You didn't even ask what the options were."
"Ah don' care!"
"Fine, if you won't ask I'll just tell. Hard way is I cause you much pain, easy way there is no pain."
He just glared daggers at me.
"Fine, easy way, no pain and you can gaze upon my beautiful body." I gestured at myself.
"Pfft! Ah've seen scrap piles preddier dan you!"
My optics narrowed. "Okay… I thought this would be hard, but it's not. You, grounder, pissed me off. And I'm not going to go easy on you, now." I unsubspaced a knife and approached. "Tell me any secrets the Autobots are hoarding. Everything you know."
"Eat slag."
I hissed, then pressed the knife against his chestplates. My empathy kicked in and I thought about the pain he would feel if I continued, but I forced the thought away. I had to hurt him. He was bad after all. Right?
I cut along his chestplates until energon oozed out. He grit his denta, but said nothing. So I continued. I cut his chestplates, then his arms, then his faceplates. But he stubbornly remained silent. I set aside the knife and glanced around the room. I grabbed some wires, cut them open, and watched the zapping electricity. This should do the trick.
I then shoved the live wires against his neck and listened to him cry out in pain. After a bit I removed them.
"Well?" I perked my wings, watching him pant.
"Go ta hell." He gasped.
I wasn't going to get anything out of him. "Blitzwing! Come take him away and fetch me that yellow one.
Ironhide was soon returned to his cell and Bumblebee put into the chair.
"Well, minibot, you going to speak or not?"
He glared at me, but I could tell he was terrified. Trying to act tough, just as I was. Well, kudos to him.
"Fine."
I started with the electricity first, but that yielded no results, so I then moved on to the knife. All I got was a lot of "I don't know" and loud sobs. Nothing was coming from this grounder.
I was frustrated. They obviously didn't know anything.
"Come here." I untied the minibot, put manacles on him, and yanked him by the arm to follow me. I stormed to the balcony where Megatron was and shoved the minibot before him. "This Autobot's interrogation was a waste of my time, Megatron!" I exclaimed furiously. "He knows nothing! None of them do!"
Megatron turned to me, smirking. "Come now, Starscream. His torture wasn't about gleaning information. It was about dominance. Submission. But I suspect he and his fellow officers won't be broken so easily. Execute them. Then have heir husks scrapped for spare parts."
My optics widened, not expecting that. But maybe I was. I don't know anymore.
"I hope you're proud of yourself." Bumblebee snapped at Hot Rod who was standing there, having been talking with Megatron.
I shoved Bumblebee out of the room, my trinemates there, waiting for me to return. "Take him back, and… Kill them. Megatron's orders."
"Is that really necessary?" Thundercracker's optics widened, becoming uneasy.
"Just do as I say!" I snapped, then turned and stomped back to Megatron. "Why have me waste time torturing them?" I growled, stopping beside the massive grounder, my wings flared.
He turned to me, optics narrowing. "Did you not enjoy yourself?"
"I am a warrior, not a sadist. I kill out of the need to defend my people, not enjoyment."
"Was the slaughter of the Senate out of need or enjoyment to you?"
I flicked my wings. "Need. The Senate is corrupt and those senators I killed have the energon of thousands on their servos. Everyone I killed… Everyone I will kill will be out of necessity for the benefit of my people."
"Then you shall keep killing, Starscream." He said it firmly, leaning over me. "The Autobots and others who follow the Senate do not care for your kind. They will see you enslaved and mounted to their walls before giving you any chance. You are nothing but a pest to them."
I grit my denta, keeping my faceplates an enigma, my optics narrowed. I waited for him to move away from my visage before speaking. "I will kill when necessary, but don't ask me to torture anyone ever again."
"You will do what I say regardless."
I gave him a hard look. "Don't, Megatron. You don't want to push me."
I turned and walked away, glancing at Soundwave as I passed him. I noticed my spark was pulsating rapidly, and I swallowed. I didn't realize how scared I was in that moment.
::Starscream!:: Thundercracker's vocalizer broke over my commlink.
"Thunder? What's wrong?" I hastily asked, worried.
::Autobots escaped. Gah! I'm wounded. We're in the holding block. Skywarp's fine.::
"I'll be right down." I looked back at Soundwave. "Soundwave! There's been a situation."
The Autobots had escaped, shooting Thundercracker in the process. He was quickly patched up by Hook, and I took my Seekers out on patrol of the city. Megatron was furious, so we were all ordered to capture Autobots and anyone trying to stop the Decepticons. It was very stressful the next couple of orns, then, it happened.
I was at the Citadel, having been summoned by Megatron for a meeting. My trinemates and advisors were in the other room, all my Seekers waiting for their next command.
"We aren't finding any of the Autobots." I spoke, stopping beside Megatron. "I think they fled the city."
"Don't be too sure, Starscream." He grunted, his back facing me.
"I'm just saying." I shrugged. "We keep looking but nothing has revealed itself. They are hidden well or gone. I suggest shifting the focus to more political matters. We have the energon crisis, dealing with the Functionists, so much still to tackle, my lord. Not to mention I need to return to Vos and-"
"Lord Megatron!" Soundwave suddenly ran into the room. "You need to hear this."
He then played a radio frequency, and a familiar vocalizer sounded. My optics widened, and Megatron's narrowed.
"My fellow Cybertronians, you once knew me as Orion Pax. I was an officer of our corrupt senate, and served a line of Primes that grew increasingly oppressive. But that orbital cycle is done. Taking with it the broken shell of the 'bot I once was. I speak to you now as Optimus Prime. I was not elected by ancient ritual or ascent of committee. I do not serve any faceless bureaucracy. I serve you, the citizens of Cybertron. And as sure as the Matrix burns within my frame I will never stop fighting for your freedom!
"The Decepticons believe they rule over you from Iacon's Citadel, that their guns and their numbers can keep you in line. Don't believe the lie. The real power lies within you. It lies in your unity. The ancients believed that 'true freedom exists when all are one.' I call upon you all to prove it. Join me at Iacon, and we will march upon the Citadel. We will show Megatron and those who stand with him that the age of tyrants is over! I once sought to reclaim the Autobot name; to restore its pride, its honor. This orbital cycle, we will do so, as one!"
Megatron's servos were clenched so tightly the pistons were popping. "Where did that originate from?"
"It came from Triax of the Torus State." Soundwave said quickly. "It was broadcasted two orbital cycles ago. I only now discovered the wavelength it was being-"
"ARGH!" Megatron punched the console next to him, leaving a gaping hole.
"You said you killed him!" I placed my servos on my hips. "You said you 'crushed him with your bare servos!'"
"I did!" He snapped, inspecting his servo. "He… No matter." He straightened himself as he lowered the ebony hand. "No one will come. Orion… Or the Prime, as he styles himself, is calling upon courage the people do not posses. Their fear of me will keep them low."
I perked my wings when I heard it, stepping to the balcony. "Well, Mighty Megatron, someone had better tell them that." I sarcastically replied when I saw it. "They don't look afraid to me."
Megatron stomped over, his denta gritting. "Impossible…" He growled.
Thousands were marching down the street towards the Citadel, the Autobot insignia held on a banner being carried at the forefront. I exhaled through my vents, nervous, but then growing agitated. Didn't they realize the Decepticons were trying to bring peace? Were they seriously marching for the Autocracy to return? For a Prime?!
"Starscream," Megatron's guttural vocalizer interrupted my thoughts. "I don't care if you have to kill every 'bot in this city. This. Ends. Now."
"It should have ended in Kaon." I crossed my arms. "With the complete eradication of the Senate and Primes. But, noooo, you had to toy with them and allow them to rebuild it up. Now you have these fools to deal with… Maybe make butchering idiots a priority." I rolled my optics.
"Perhaps I will…" He growled.
I snorted, a flick of my wings following. "I'll stop them before they kill us." I activated my commlink. "My Seekers, to your Alpha!"
I leaped over the banister, transformed, and took off. It didn't take long for my Seekers to file behind me, our engines screaming. I didn't want to have to attack, but they were coming to kill us, and I wasn't about to let my Seekers or Vos fall prey to a growing mass of Autobots who couldn't get enough of their new Prime's shaft.
::Bombing formation, hold your positions. On my mark.:: I sounded into the commlink, descending, never slowing my speed. ::NOW!::
A furious rain of bombs and missiles erupted from the wailing shrieks of their deployment, striking the enemies below. We flew, passing over, then ascending.
::Hold formation and circle for another pass.:: I spoke.
::Roger that, Starscre-AAAARGH! Bandits at point two-nine!:: One of my Seekers called out.
I turned my Seekers in the direction, seeing seven fighter jets coming our way. ::Attack formation! Stay on my aft!::
::That's what she said.:: Skywarp snickered.
::TEAR THEM APART!::
We sped towards the enemy jets, canons firing, engines shrieking, the distance between us rapidly closing. I held formation, at the last astrosecond aileron rolling, barely missing the one I would learn to be Slingshot. Several Seekers did the same, but that's not how we fight.
Hotlink transformed and sunk his talons onto Silverbolt, shrieking as he tore into him.
"AHHHH!" The Autobot cried out, trying to keep his balance.
I circled back, other Seekers also transforming and tearing at the enemy jets. More Autobot jets and fliers began to appear, and soon an all out dogfight was taking place in the skies of Iacon. In the heat of the battle I lost sight of my trinemates, but I couldn't stop to worry. Below was chaos. All the Decepticons and Autobots were in an all out war, firing, tearing, slaughtering each other. It was far worse than the battle to get into Iacon to kill Zeta. This… Was truly war, fueled by hatred and the desire to kill the other side no matter what.
I saw my Seekers, shooting at jets they were after, being chased and shot at, wrestling and tearing in the sky… Then I saw one crashing into a building, my spark stopping. My people.
How did it come to this, and so quickly?
I didn't have time to think. I saw the Citadel changing, a giant gun appearing on top of it. I was too far to tell, but I would later learn it was Megatron on one of the weapons of Zeta Prime, the Vamparc Annihilator. He began to fire it into the Autobot ranks, obliterating them in fiery destruction and a horrific death. I was scared. But then…. A shadow cast itself over the city, blocking the sun.
I looked up, my engine almost sputtering.
All the Seekers and jets ceased their fighting, as well as the grounders below, to gaze up, jaws gaping open, optics wide.
A city flew over us. A city that….
Transformed.
::Holy Primus.:: Thundercracker's vocalizer sounded over the commlink.
::What in the fragging hell?!:: Bitstream exclaimed.
::Sweet Mortilus on a pogo stick.:: Was Skywarp's remark.
I couldn't speak. I almost fell from the sky I was in such shock. There, before me… Stood a Titan.
And then, he spoke. "These guns of death are an affront to those who forged this world… They shall be silenced."
And with one swipt movement of his servo the Citadel, with it's massive gun, was no more.
::F-fall back.:: I choked. :;FALL BACK!:: I found my vocalizer and screamed it. ::Grab the wounded and fall back!::
I wasn't going to send my Seekers to be killed by a Titan. Not this orbital cycle, not any.
My Seekers, without hesitation, did as ordered. We fled, carrying our wounded on our backs, but we got the hell out of Iacon, forgetting about the grounders and everyone else. I needed to get my people away.
::Star?:: Thundercracker's unusually worried vocalizer spoke.
::We return to Kolkular. We'll figure things out there.::
The flight was silent. We had a lot to process.
My Seekers and I were the first to arrive at Kolkular. I sent my Seekers to refuel and rest as I anxiously awaited the return of everyone else. Not everyone did return… Most Decepticons scattered into other cities, but the most loyal, and the ones who were desperate for guidance, arrived in a few joors.
It was the arrival of Astrotrain that I was waiting for. Soundwave and another Decepticon stepped out carrying a wounded Megatron, Shockwave, Blitzwing, and others following. I started to go towards them, but then Scorponok leaped in the way.
"Drop that scrap pile." He commanded, leering over Soundwave.
"Megatron requires-"
"I said drop him!" Scorponok shoved Soundwave aside, then grasped onto Megatron, who was in stasis lock from his injuries.
Gasps sounded all around, and everyone took a step back, uncertain of what was happening.
"This coward almost killed us all with his greed for power." The oversized scientists exclaimed, holding Megatron by the arm, as if he weighed nothing. "We do not need such a waste of metal leading us. He would have had us all stomped on by that Titan, and only bring us death and destruction of our homes. He doesn't deserve to be patched up, he deserves death!"
"And what makes you think you can just barge in and take over?!" Macerator demanded as he stepped forward.
Scorponok backhanded him hard, sending him falling onto his aft. "You need someone who actually has a plan and isn't trying to kill you all to lead you. And I have a plan and it won't get you all needlessly killed."
"I highly doubt that." I piped up. "You're no leader, Scorponok. I doubt you'll be fit to handle the Autobot threat."
He smirked. "Starscream, I had hoped you'd be here. You're smart, for a Seeker. And your military prowess will be useful." He paused, glancing over the crowd. "Megatron is a goner regardless. Look at him! The Prime did this. If he can't defeat a Prime what good is he to us?" He turned to me. "Starscream, I'd like you to come with me. I need a military expert to consult with." He then turned and started to go back inside of Astrotrain.
"You can't just take Megatron away!" Skyquake shouted.
Scorponok turned back, waiting for me to near before shoving me inside. "He's already dead. I'm just burying him."
With that, he boarded Astrotrain and forced the hull closed. I stepped back, anxious about what he was going to do, watching as he carelessly tossed Megatron to the ground.
"Astrotrain, get us into orbit. I'll give you the coordinates once we are in space." He ordered sharply.
"Uh, sure." Astrotrain grunted, his engines firing up before he took off, leaving an angry and confused mob behind.
"What are you doing?" I inquired softly, wings low.
He eyed me, smiling after a moment. "You are very unique. In not just your kind and ability, but your mind. You are a scientist, from what I've been told, as well as a military officer." He leaned in close to me. "Fascinating. Especially considering your frametype."
I huffed, wings hiking. "My frametype has nothing to do with my mind."
"Perhaps not." He straightened himself out, but I kept my wings up. "I want you by my side. Us scientists should stick together." He smiled.
"I highly doubt you want me for my scientific acumen. It's my Seekers you desire. You're afraid of the Decepticons attacking you for… Whatever you're about to do to Megatron."
"I do want your Seekers, but I am not afraid of the others. You're young, Starscream. Only a vorn, correct? Very young and already gone through so much." He vented a soft sigh, as if he knew my suffering and was tired by it. "And now swept away into this growing conflict that Megatron has created. You deserve better. Don't follow Megatron's example. I will be a better leader because I'm actually concerned about our species. We have the energon crisis, the Functionists, loss of land, and the population concern to worry about. We don't have time for war! We need peace and to heal Cybertron. Megatron has destroyed that with his attack on Iacon, making enemies, and leading us into chaos. He has betrayed his own ideology. He has become the furthest thing from a Decepticon." He paused. "Will you betray the Decepticons?"
I swallowed. "No, I-I follow the teachings of Megatron in Towards Peace. I-I believe that the-"
"Is Megatron now following what he wrote?"
I bit my lower lip plate. "Not particularly…. But Zeta Prime was-"
"He declared war against the Autobots when he attacked Orion Pax. And now he's taken up the mantle of Prime and has his cult followers, as well as a Titan! Megatron betrayed us, Starscream. Are you going to do the same?"
I quickly shook my helm, frightened by how Scorponok leered over me.
"Good. Astrotrain!" He called. "I'm sending you the coordinates I need you to go to."
"Whatever." Astrotrain groaned.
I glanced down at Megatron, anxious. Maybe Scorponok was right? I do agree Megatron's actions have been… Excessive of late, but then again, Zeta was going to mass murder all of us. Sentinel was too, and the entire Senate would rather my kind be wiped out than give us any rights. Maybe… Getting rid of him would get the Decepticons back on the right track..?
But… It was Megatron. He hadn't been wrong, just… Misguided. I've been misguided a lot. Right? What if Scorponok turned the Decepticons against me and my Seekers? Maybe I had to go along with him. I had to protect my people.
But Megatron…
I wanted Thundercracker, carrier, and Asperitas there to tell me what was right. Go with Scorponok or defend Megatron? I was so confused and scared.
Before I knew it, we had arrived.
"I think… This is a waste of time, Scorponok. If you were going to get rid of him you should have done it back on Cybertron." I said with my arms crossed, not liking being so far from home.
Scorponok smirked. "I rule the Decepticons, now. This is my will. Yes, a public execution would have been clean, less risky, but this… this punishment will become legend."
"I don't see how…"
"Junkion, Starscream. You ever heard of it?"
"I have. It was destroyed by Cybertronians…. Vorns ago. Nothing is left there but a husk."
"A husk and monsters. And this is where we are now. We will banish Megatron here, and here he will stay."
"Leave him on Junkion? I don't understand why that of all places… Besides, you know how resilient he can be. He probably won't be effected much."
"I'm not too worried. Megatron has seen better orbital cycles."
I paused, studying the injuries. "Yeah… The new Prime sure did a number on him."
"Precisely. Decepticons won't follow weakness. His banishment will serve as an object lesson for those still loyal to him. And, should they attempt to rescue him from this place they'll be forced to share his fate."
"Gentlemechs, we've arrived. I'll maintain high orbit 'til you're ready." Astrotrain spoke.
Scorponok picked up Megatron. "Open the hull."
I did so, feeling my servos trembling. "You may be right, but… We know nothing of this world. Only nightmare myths and superstition."
"Well, now there'll be a new tale. 'The fall of Megatron and his descent into hell.'"
Megatron shifted, his optics onlining as he groaned.
"Ah, online at last. Just in time."
"Scor… Scorponok..? Where…?" Megatron weakly moaned, and I bit my lower lip plate, not sure if I should stop this or let it continue.
"Farewell, Megatron. Give my regards to oblivion." Scorponok's smile grew.
"Wait… I… Still function." Was Megatron's quiet plea.
"Not for long." Scorponok said it so calmly, no pity as he released the fallen grounder, watching him fall out of Astrotrain and plummet towards the remains of Junkion. He closed the door and turned to me. "Good, Seeker. Astrotrain, take us back to Cybertron."
I felt my knees buckle, optics wide. Did I do the right thing? Or did I allow a good mech to die and just stood by like a coward and watched it happen?
I didn't have time to reflect as Scorponok suddenly placed a servo on my shoulder. "We have much work to do. Upon our return make sure your Seekers are ready."
I didn't say anything, just watched him walk to the bridge. I just stood there, thinking, lost in thought, only jolting out of it when Astrotrain finally landed. Everything was a blur. I walked out and found my trinemates, but didn't speak to them. I was thinking. And I stayed thinking until Scorponok summoned the Deceptions into the main hall of Kolkular.
"Decepticons, the mighty Megatron has fallen!" He proudly addressed the gathered crowd of Decepticons as we all stood in the room, intently listening to him. "But, I, Scorponok, shall lead you to victory!"
"Who put him in charge?" Someone grunted.
"Wait, was there a vote or something?" Another questioned.
"He's pretty big… I ain't challengin' 'im." Another snorted.
"Megatron's vision of 'unification through control' was unprecedented. But he himself lacked the discipline to bring it to fruition. We have all paid the heavy cost of his pride. As punishment, I banished him to Junkion."
Everyone began to whisper and talk amongst themselves, uncertain if Junkion even existed, and what this meant for them.
"Any of you still loyal to Megatron are free to seek him out." He continued. "But as there is no returning from Junkion, you will certainly share his fate." He smiled.
"Hahahaha!" A sinister, gruff laugh tore through the hall.
Scorponok's optics narrowed as he turned, scowling. "Who dares?!" He demanded.
The crowd separated, allowing the beasts to approach the self made leader without difficulty. The stench from Blot filled my intakes, and I snorted, hearing Thundercracker simply close his, rather risking overheating than smelling that. The Terrorcons growled, gnashed their jaws, mouth lubricant leaking from their snarling mandibles.
"Look at you Decepticons," One of Hun-Gurr's heads spoke. "Bowing to this smooth-talking coward. You forgot that we rule by fear. We're not ruled by it!" He paused as the other Terrorcons shrieked and growled. "Megatron blew our one best shot at running Iacon." Then the other head spoke. "And all you ramrods could do was banish him?"
"Easy for you to say, Hun-Gurr." Scorponok said calmly, not scared by the beasts. "You couldn't even be bothered to fight alongside us. But I'm sure if you had you and your Terrorcons would have had the new Prime shaking in his shock absorbers."
"I see right through you, Scorponok." Hun-Gurr's faces were in Scorponok's, his heated exhales beating down on the other's faceplates. "Make no mistake, we'll handle this new Prime soon enough. But for now, we're gonna take care of the business you were too afraid to finish."
"Are you challenging my leadership, Terrorcon?" Scorponok demanded coolly.
"I'd have to acknowledge it, first." He smiled.
I decided to speak up, fearing a fight. "Gentlemechs perhaps we should save it for the Autobots…" I forced a smirk.
"Shut your face, Starscream. Or I'll eat you." Hun-Gurr snapped, hissing, his heads facing me. He then turned back to Scorponok. "As long as Megatron lives our enemies will not fear us. So the Terrorcons will go to this Junkion and end him." He then turned and began to leave with his submissives, but not without one last word. "But Scorponok, when we get back… We'll give you something to be really afraid of."
We all watched the Terrorcons depart, Scorponok standing there snarling, servos clenched.
"Dismissed." He barked, then stormed off.
I turned to my trinemates, wings perking. "Things are getting out of servo."
"You think?" Thundercracker crossed his arms.
"But why leave Megatron when he's the mastermind…?" Skywarp confusingly looked off into space, trying to do the math.
"Because politics is complex, that's why?" I replied.
"This isn't politics, Starscream. It's madness."
I gave Thundercracker a look. "I have no fragging idea what's going on… I'm going to talk to Scorponok and figure something out before everything collapses. After I get some energon."
"We should return to Vos and forget these slagheaps."
"Too invested, Thunder. Besides… War is here. We best pick a side or else be slaughtered or driven from our home. And I choose the side that doesn't have the discriminating Prime who would have us hunted for trophies and stuffed on his mantle."
"They don't do that to Seekers, anymore."
"Who said they won't bring it back?" I raised an optical ridge. "Keep your helms low. I'll use my charm to ensure we don't get tossed onto some Primus forsaken asteroid or whatever." I turned and began to walk away, gesturing for them to follow, to which they did without preamble.
After I had some energon, and de-stressed with a quick frag with my mates, I went to speak to Scorponok, alone. I palmed open the door to the central command center, wings perking, then strolled in. Scorponok was there by a console, looking at data about something.
"Your pretty speeches will only keep the rank and file dazzled for so long, Scorponok." I spoke up, approaching him. "Sooner or later you'll have to back up your talk with real action."
"I do so value your wit and insight, Starscream." He replied sardonically. "I can't imagine why Megatron kept you at arm's length."
Was that an insult? Rude.
"He never had much trust for politicians." I shrugged, pausing to look at the vidscreen he just turned away from.
"Still, I agree with your assessment. The time to strike has come. Soundwave reports that the new Prime has formed a convocation of various faction leaders. As usual, they can't agree on the color of engine grime. But the one initiative they do value is the immediate reestablishment of power and civil services to the Torus-States."
I looked up at him, optics narrowing. "That's laughable, given the energon shortage. Zeta's Vamparc weapons drained Iacon's emergency reserves. Where's the Prime think he's going to get the power?"
"That's the question, exactly. And the answer is this." He pointed to the vidscreen. "The Toraxxis Mega-Refinery. It's remote, lightly defended, and put out nearly eight billion megaliters of refined energon per production cycle. It's perfect for us."
I paused, studying him, not trusting him. "This isn't just about stealing energon…" I said it slowly.
"Very observant. The fuel is useful to us, certainly, but once we've thrown global energon production into chaos, the Prime's new convocation will tear itself apart over the scraps."
"And without the factions backing them… The Autobots will be easy prey."
He looked over his shoulder at me, and smiled.
We only had a few orbital cycles to finish healing, prepare, stock up, and head out to this energon refinery. I led my Seekers, escorting the transport vessels with all the grounders and equipment. It was a long flight, but by dawn we were there, and not the only ones.
Redwing flew closer overhead of the refinery, his scanners picking up life forms. ::Redwing to Alpha: Picking up on five spark signatures near the front gate. Large, possibly armed.::
::Copy that, Redwing.:: I replied back. ::Seekers, prepare for battle.:: I commed them, waiting until we were closer to give the next command. ::Tankor, move in and get the energon! Seekers, cover him and secure the area.::
::Roger that, Starscream!::
My Seekers and I banked as we rapidly descended, transforming as we landed, weapons firing.
"Looks like these geniuses had the same idea as us!" Skywarp remarked as he touched down, thruster heels shrieking, his arm canons firing.
"Bad luck for them, then." Thundercracker grunted as he transformed and touched down.
My Seekers fired at the Dinobots, who were the ones trying to get into the refinery themselves. Reason they were there I am still uncertain. But, they are not a group anyone wishes to clash with.
The transport vessel landed, Scorponok and everyone else filing out of it, weapons raised. I landed beside Scorponok, hissing and snarling as Grimlock approached, several of my Seekers already wounded on the ground from these brutes fighting back.
Scorponok gestured for me to stay back, I guess he thought he controlled me.
"Grimlock and the Dinobots… I should have known." Scorponok smiled as he approached. "From pit champions to common street thugs. The cycles have not been kind. You should have run while you had the chance."
Grimlock held his sword out. "But then we would've missed seeing you get your tailpipes kicked in." He grunted.
"You can't be serious. Your little squad is in no condition to-"
"Not us. The Autobots. See, you wrecked our score, so I triggered the alarm. Figured I'd let them return the favor."
Just as he said this a thunderous roar erupted overhead. Skylynx, the Prime's pet that he uses for transport, appeared overhead, flying downward. Powerful gusts of wind tore through the ranks with each flap of the monster's wings. He landed, opening his hull for the Autobots he carried to run out, weapons blazing.
The Decepticons fired back, my Seekers taking to the skies to firing down on the enemy.
"Unbelievable…" Scorponok growled. "We're not done here, Grimlock!" He paused as he saw that the Dinobots weren't joining the fight, but rather running back into the refinery. "NO!" He bellowed. "Starscream, hold the Autobots here with your Seekers until Tankor's done fueling!"
I looked up at him. "Wait, where you think you're going? The Dinobots-"
He suddenly got in my faceplates. "It's time you understood, Starscream. No one crosses Scorponok and lives!"
With that, he gave chase, going into the refinery, taking with him several Decepticons. I snorted out my intakes, then turned to Asperitas who was guarding my back. "Hold the Autobots back. Have Acid Storm's trine get the beast to follow them and lead it away. I want strafing on the center line, and the rest keep harassment fire down the AO from behind shelter."
"This is not a good area. We'll need to lure them elsewhere to fight." Asperitas advised.
"It won't work. We fight here."
"As you command."
I bit my lip plate, watching my Seekers. It wasn't a good spot at all. Minimal barriers to hide behind, we couldn't bomb because of the highly explosive location we were at, and… It was just bad. And in the middle of the fighting the Prime managed to get by and inside the refinery.
"Tankor is done collecting energon." Asperitas informed me.
"Good. Get the wounded out of here. Those not helping them keep the Autobots back. Skywarp will open a warp gate for them." I ordered, not realizing how this small command would save my Seekers.
Skywarp kept a warp gate open as the wounded Seekers and some other Decepticons were carried through. We had just gotten the last of the wounded through when the sirens of the refinery went off. My optics widened, then we got the call from Soundwave.
::Scorponok set the refinery into a meltdown!:: He screamed. ::It's going to explode!::
"TAKE TO THE SKIES!" I shrieked, transforming myself.
Panic erupted. Everyone who could fly transformed and took off, grounders transformed and sped away. What I didn't expect were the grounders grabbing onto fliers who hadn't yet taken off, wanting to be flown up.
I cried out as someone grasped my chassis, but wrestling them off would take precious astroseconds away that I needed to escape. I powered my thrusters to max, the Decepticon digging his digits into my intakes to keep from falling off. I didn't know where my trinemates were, I just had to fly, had to break the sound barrier and get away.
Then, the brightest light I had ever seen flashed, followed by a shockwave that almost made us Seekers lose our flight. I fought against the powerful force, keeping myself straight, feeling my stowaway struggling to stay on. The explosion was deafening, my spark skipped a pulse.
I slowed down, leveling myself out, and gave the Decepticon on me, who I would find out to be Stinger, a boost so he could sit on my back.
My Seekers gathered around me, circling in their alt modes, quite a few with other Decepticons clinging to them. I looked down, only seeing fire beneath us… For miles and miles.
"Skywarp!" I called out, my mate soon flying over. "We need to find survivors. Open a warp gate and get these grounders with us to Kolkular. We'll fly down and save whoever survived."
"On it, Scree!" He then opened a warp gate, and one by one we deposited the grounders into it.
We all flew down to the fiery abyss, the crater and fire so large it could be seen from space. And we did what we could. We grabbed the remains that we were able to find, and the few survivors, and got them through Skywarp's warp gate, the experience tiring my mate out greatly, but we saved as many as we could find. Emergency crews came and helped with what they could, but we couldn't stay. We needed to get back, I needed to see to my people, and everything left there… Was already gone.
It was all over the news, how the Decepticon leader caused the deaths of thousands of innocents, and just sentenced billions more to death without fuel. Every channel, every radio station, all over social media… Was just about this, and the Prime's public funeral and speech for those killed in this atrocious act. I was sickened by it.
Why? Why set it off? We needed the fuel, we could do so much if we had control of the refinery. Give fuel to everyone needing it, the poor, the ones cast away by the Functionists… All those lives lost, and now Cybertron was doomed.
And that's when Senator Dai Atlas spoke, taking over the news with his words.
"Cybertron is no longer safe, nor capable of sustaining all of us. I am assembling ships to transport all those who wish to leave this war, this madness, this death, and the mindless violence to colony worlds. We will establish ourselves on new planets, rich in resources and free of hatred, bigotry, and war. Come with me to freedom."
And they did. 20 million packed their belongings, pets, family, and went to the nearest spaceport. Quite a number of them left from my own spaceport, and ship sales skyrocketed all over Cybertron as armadas of them ascended, never to return. This would happen over the next decacycle. And over the vorns several million more would leave Cybertron for a better life.
Kolkular was not a place of good news, either. The bodies of those who died in the explosion had been laid out in the hall for identification. Some… were just an arm. I was horrified by it, trying to keep from crying, and also making sure Gearshift never went into that room.
Scorponok had us all summoned to that room, the bodies laid out before us, and he standing on the other end.
"The dead are not to be mourned. They are to be scavenged." The self proclaimed leader spat, his back to us. "Forget them. They are failures. Their stain must be eliminated from Cybertron. As you install their parts, be sure not to let the taint of defeat infect you."
"Scorponok!" A grounder missing an arm exclaimed, stepping forward. "How can you say that? They died fighting for us! It's only chance that some of us lived and some of us died!"
Scorponok turned to him. "Not chance. Fate. The strong survive! The weak are crushed beneath them. To think otherwise is to think like an Autobot."
"No, that's not right!" The grounder pointed at him. "Even Megatron respected those who died in his service!"
"I respect only power!" Scorponok suddenly shouted as he grasped the grounder's helm and with one squeeze crushed it like a tin can. Shocked gasps, step backs, and gaping jaws came from everyone, horrified by what we just witnessed. "That is what it means to be a Decepticon. Anyone else care to venture their own opinion?" He demanded, looking over all of us gathered there. "Leave this wretch." He grunted, tossing the poor sod down. "Do not scavenge his parts. They are tainted by weakness and fear. And mark my words, the next 'bot that so much as mentions Megatron's designation will share this fate."
"Starscream, it's not safe for us to be here." Thundercracker whispered to me. "We need to leave."
I didn't say anything to him, nor did I speak to my mates or other Seekers for the next few orbital cycles. I had to think. I had to figure out what we were going to do. Cybertron had no more secure fuel resource, millions were fleeing, thousands were dead, violence was rising, my carrier called me constantly to just ask if I was alive, my creations doing the same…
Did I do the right thing by leading my Seekers to follow Megatron? If I hadn't would he still be here and controlling the Decepticons? Would he have become worse than Scorponok? Was all of this violence necessary? Why was this happening? Why did I have to become Alpha in this time? Why did I have to challenge my sire and cause this to happen? I didn't want to be Alpha! Not when all of this was happening! I should be in Vos, helping solve Seeker problems, not world problems! I missed my home.. I hadn't been home in so long… I missed my creations, grandcreations, carrier, siblings… Skyfire…
I couldn't even make love with my mates without constant thoughts concerning where this world was heading. I just… I wanted this all to end.
I entered the control room of Kolkular, Scorponok there watching that Autobot Blaster talking about The Exodus that Dai Atlas was leading. More and more kept fleeing Cybertron from all cities.
"Cowards. Weaklings." Scorponok growled, glaring at the vidscreen before him. "See how quickly common 'bots scurry in the face of adversity. I despise them."
I stopped beside him, wings perking. "You're surprised by this, Scorponok? You blew a hole in the side of the planet and burned most of their remaining energon reserves. What did you expect would happen? Even I'm not sure what's left here for us. What possible use is there in conquering the world when all that's left are blacked out, lifeless cities?"
"Lifeless?" He looked down at me. "Heh, life ensures, Starscream. Many shall remain. Those that stay will be forced to fight for their survival amongst the wreckage. Cybertron will be transformed into a vast savage arena. The pillars of society shall fall and the frail veneer of civility stripped away. The strong shall rise. The weak shall be culled."
I narrowed my optics. "Are you insane? Strength does not indicate superiority. You can be physically weak but mentally powerful. Why should-urk!" I yelped when he suddenly grasped by neck and effortlessly lifted me off the ground. I grabbed at his servo, trying to kick at him.
"You're not as strong as your counterparts, Starscream, but I still have use of you. Your kind are needed for-OUCH!" He dropped me when I sunk my sharp denta into his servo.
I landed, wings flaring, unsubspacing my swords and activating them, as I snarled and hissed. He studied the wound, now dripping of energon, then smirked.
"Down, beast." He said it like I was some cyberdog. "I am not going to harm you."
"You won't fight me because you know if you kill the Alpha the Seekers will swarm on you and tear you to pieces before you could contemplate another monologue about 'strength' and 'weakness.'" I snarled, my engine growling, not changing my fight stance.
"I won't fight you because you are a strong, capable warrior that I need." He smiled. "A true Decepticon." He paused. "Easy, little Seeker. I have work for you."
"Doing what?" I snapped.
"I have learned of something that the Autobots found. You're a scientist. You'd be interested in it."
"What is it?"
"Possible new energon source. It is buried deeply beneath where the Toraxxis Refinery once stood. We'll need to work fast, and your Seekers can help with that."
I straightened, still holding my swords. "How so?"
"If you drop bombs at the precise locations you can expedite excavation. Come, Starscream, don't you want to help your people?"
I glared at him, not trusting him at all. But, if his intel did have a solution for the energon crisis… Better I take the risk and ensure my people were fueled than go hungry.
"Very well, Scorponok. But I better not find out you're lying to me." I subspaced my swords.
"Or what?"
"Or the Seekers are out." I pivoted on a thruster heel and stomped out.
Scorponok sent some Decepticons to Iacon to distract the Autobots. He didn't say how, just that they were doing that. I would later learn from Soundwave that it was by attacking civilians. My Seekers and I went with Scorponok and others to the crater of Toraxxis. I had my bombers fly over the crater dropping bombs, a lot of them. I wasn't sure how much the explosions would help to excavate, but if it got us to the energy source sooner then I'd take that. The Constructicons were preparing for when we would be done to be more finesse in safely securing what lied below.
After a couple of joors of bombing, I transformed and landed beside Scorponok when I saw Astrotrain returning. Shockwave and Soundwave exited, approaching the tyrant leader.
"What is the meaning of this, Scorponok? We have suffered a very vexing defeat. What possible business could we have here?" Shockwave demanded.
"Patience, Shockwave. All will be revealed." Scorponok reassured him. "The attack on the space port was merely to fan the flames of panic throughout the populace. To show them that there is no escape from what I'm about to unleash."
I perked my wings at that.
"And what precisely might that be?"
"Something the erstwhile Autobots discovered for us. Something primal and uncontrollable. Something that will bring this hollow civilization crashing to its knees."
I was about to say something, but then the ground began to shake… And furiously.
"Violent seismic activity detected throughout regional sub-strata." Soundwave intoned. "Massive tectonic event imminent."
Shockwave faced Scorponok. "Scorponok… What have you done!?"
He smiled. "I have broken the locks. Released the chains. And roused a wrath so terrible that this world will never be the same. You are witnessing the dawning of a new age. Where the Decepticon ideal, survival of the fittest, will reign for a thousand generations! The purer world Megatron once envisioned could never have been won through political control or subversion! It could never have blossomed upon the desiccated husk of our bloated society!"
I almost fell over from how hard the ground was shaking now, my Seekers having ceased their bombing and flying away from the crater.
::Starscream! Something's happening!:: Thundercracker frantically yelled over the commlink.
"No, the future we forged will be born of fire and terror." Scorponok continued as the ground kept shaking. "It will rise from the trampled ashes of the world and none shall stand against it."
The sound of something… moving came from the crater. Something massive climbing the walls.
"And from the face of utter ruin…" Scorponok turned his back to us to face the crater. "The strong at last, shall rise."
::WHAT THE HELL?!::
::Primus, what have we done?!::
::Starscream, what do we do?!::
::Primus, protect us::
My Seekers were shouting and blabbering all over the commlinks, but I couldn't even speak.
Talons as large as towers tore into the edge of the crater as the head the size of a spaceport rose up. A monster, a beast from ancient times long presumed to be legends of the preposterous tore from the ashes, and stood before us. And with a deafening roar that reverberated through the ground for miles, that caused those near to fall screaming as they clutched their audio receptors, the beast made its presence known.
A monster the size of a city… Trypticon as we would later learn of its lost designation.
I couldn't move, so overcome with fear. I didn't even realized I released my waste tank…
"I-I-I-I-I-" I stuttered, watching this colossal creature simply strut off, the ground quaking from every step, the mere sound of its gears turning audible for over a mile away.
"Starscream, I need your Seekers." Scorponok said it so calmly.
I reset my optics a couple of times. "I-I-" I couldn't do it. I transformed and flew off. ::My Seekers, to me! We're getting the frag away from that monster!::
We fled back to Kolkular, and upon entering I ran down the hallway. Away from everyone. I won't lie, I was scared slagless. A monster the size of a city just mindlessly killing? No thank you. A Titan at least has morals and refuses to kill innocents. But… That! No. I needed to calm my nerves, clear my processor, and figure out how I will fortify Vos against this nightmare.
As I ran down the hall I turned a corner, only to have a powerful, ebony servo grasp my neck and slam me into the wall. I shrieked, terrified, but my Seeker programming kicked in. I clawed at the servo that held me, engine growling, wings flicking, denta barred as I hissed.
"Shut up, Starscream!" A familiar vocalizer snapped.
I immediately ceased my struggling, looking up into the damaged faceplates of one I assumed long dead. "M-Megatron..?" I stuttered. "But you-?"
"No, I am very much alive. No thanks to you." He growled.
"Megatron, I didn't want him to abandon you! I was scared! I-I had to protect my people! I-"
"Enough, Starscream." He growled, silent as he just looked at me. And he looked at me for far longer than I felt comfortable with. "I'm not going to kill you. I have use of you."
I swallowed. "Scorponok says the same thing."
"Yes, I've been apprised that he has taken charge of my Decepticons."
I then noticed the Terrorcons standing behind Megatron, their denta barred, optics glowing with the desire for energon.
"Where does your loyalty lie, Starscream?" He said my designation so menacingly.
"With the Decepticon cause." I answered quickly.
"Then your loyalty is with me for I am the Decepticon cause."
"I certainly prefer you over Scorponok." I swallowed. "Can you please put me down, now?"
"No." He grunted. "Where is Scorponok?"
"Probably on his way back here. He's released a monster. A Titan who seeks only to destroy."
"Has he now?" He paused, a smirk growing on his tattered visage, then he stroked my cheekplates with his free servo. "Be a good Seeker and fetch my Decepticons."
He then released me and I fell to the floor. "As you wish, Lord Megatron."
Scorponok arrived a few joors later and locked himself in his room. My Seekers and the other Decepticons gathered in the hall as instructed, then I left to bring Scorponok to where Megatron wished him to be.
"Yes, yes! Destroy!" Scorponok cheered as he watched newsfeed of the destruction Trypticon was causing. "Grind it all beneath your rage! Let the weak tremble and scurry like the techno-roaches they are."
I entered his quarters, wings perking. "Great Scorponok." I purred. "I know you're enjoying the carnage you've set in motion, but your warriors request your presence in the main hall."
"I told you I was not to be disturbed, Starscream." He growled.
"My apologies, but in light of recent events we wish to honor our true leader…" I smirked.
"This had better be good, Starscream." He grumbled as he walked out with me and into the hall. "I don't have time for foolish-WHA-?"
"It's good of you to welcome me home, Scorponok… In person." Megatron greeted in that fierce, terrifying vocalizer of his, standing at the end of the hall, all the Decepticons gathered, watching them both.
"Megatron? Is that you?" Scorponok shuttered his optics, shocked.
"Here's a hint." Megatron snapped, raising his cannon and firing.
Scorponok cried out as his leg was shot, obliterating it. He fell down, gasping from the pain, everyone backing away from him. Frantically, he began to drag himself, trying to get away, just as Megatron stomped over.
"Where do you think you can crawl to? There's no escape from this reckoning, Scorponok." Megatron snarled. "There'll be no trial, no inglorious exile for you."
Suddenly, Scorponok lunged forward and grasped Megatron. "GRAAAAH!" He furiously roared. "This isn't possible! You were beaten. BROKEN!"
"Not where it counted." Megatron said just before punching Scorponok in the faceplates, so hard not only did he fall back but his cheekplates were torn off.
"M-mercy… Mercy…!" Scorponok begged.
Megatron only dryly chuckled before lifting his fusion cannon and firing once more. I bit my lip plate at the wretched cry of Scorponok.
"Hun-Garr, I promised you and your Terrorcons a share of the spoils when I retook what was rightfully mine." Megatron said as he stepped away, the Terrorcons approaching. "Well, now you may feed. But, leave enough of him intact so that his pain centers continue to function."
"With pleasure, Lord Megatron." Hun-Garr snarled, him and his submissives circling around.
"No, Please! NOOOOO! AHHHHHH! AHHHHH! AIEEEE!"
The shrieks he emitted as the Terrorcons tore into his metal, ripping, tearing, devouring him savagely, his energon splattering onto those who stood nearest.
"Well, then, where were we?" Megatron inquired, his back to the barbaric scene.
I decided to speak, scared of what he might do to the rest of us. "We are so pleased to have you back, Mighty Megatro-"
"Do not speak unless spoken to, Starscream." He snapped, glaring daggers at me. "We'll discuss your part in this coup later."
I swallowed, wincing at the screams still emitting from Scorponok and shuddering at the sounds of his metal being torn off his protoform.
"Shockwave, make preparations to repair me immediately. I've worn the wreckage of Junkion long enough." The true Decepticon leader ordered.
"As you will, Lord Megatron." Shockwave intoned.
"Now," Megatron turned to face us, smirking devilishly. "Somebody tell me what's been done to my world."
For those confused, read the IDW G1 Transformers (2005) comics Autocracy and Monstrosity of the Autocracy trilogy. All the events in this chapter happened in them. This is solely Starscream's point of view of those events.
Okay, remember my note for the previous chapter? If not, reread it. As you may recollect, the writers for the comics were several with different ideas and opinions on Starscream and everything. And they make him act at the beginning of the war the way he ends up acting near the end. Doesn't make sense. So, I am trying to keep the events but change as needed to show this is scared, baby Starscream and he's just being swept up with events but doesn't know what to do.
And one thing, in the comics Starscream is made to torture Autobots and he didn't like it. Megatron made him do it because he thought Starscream would enjoy it. But Starscream didn't. Later in his life Starscream would enjoy violence more (as you'll see as the story continues) but at this point in his life he hasn't become sadistic and cruel. He's still naive and a baby.
And, again, the time period for all these events were all on top of each other. It's like 2 months or so. All of this downfall of Cybertron happens very quickly.
So, basically, the note for this chapter is just Starscream is a baby being made to do things he's confused and scared by. And that the comics need a lot of fixing... That's what this fic will do!
GO VEGAN! Human rights and animal rights are connected and we cannot have one without the other! Remember this time of pandemics, riots, and destruction of the planet for we only have 10 more years thanks to animal agriculture destroying everything! Starscream is beautiful...
Things will get way epic once I get through this damn trilogy! You all will cry when Vos falls! MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
