I'm probably updating too soon for people to review and me to answer, but that's the bonus of long holidays. Lots of time to think up plots for my Screampuff. Anyway, next chapter - little short again, but what the hey.

Skins: Don't worry about it ;) And as for the two gits getting what they deserve, well... Dum dum duuuum - can't answer that properly yet. Don't know for definite yet. But getting there, and it will be fun... and the cultish mumbo-jumbo is a little closer to getting explained as well, so there we go. Mwahahahaaa...much thanks go to my Dad (again) for coming up with the most bizarre and strangely believable cultish mumbo-jumbo I've heard of in a long time. Worrying. Very, very worrying.

Soryu: (Slow, long, eeevil grin.) I like the way you think, hinny. I've got a few ideas in mind for the little ratty gits, don't you worry, and humiliation will probably feature somewhere prominent...heeheeheeee! (Starscream sticks his head in and catches the end of the end of the sentence. A vicious grin is very, very visible.) He likes the way you think too, by the way.

BTW, 'Total Burnout' was vaguely inspired a smidgen by 'Megatron gets a Playstation'. (Sorry, I can't remember who wrote it, but it's on somewhere) and a mix of other stuff in my bad-addled brains. Glad people liked! (And a new TF game would be appreciated, EA - with more Dcons and preferably G1. But then I'm biased.) How's this for a bestseller, though - a collection of fanfics published in honour of the possible new Tf movie! I read a rumour in a newspaper a while ago and I don't know if it's true, but it'd be fun anyway. I'd buy one, definitely...

Anyway, here we go again!


Ripples in the Well

Skyfire strode down the corridors of the Science Academy, his expression a fell look of grim intent declaiming a dire warning not to stand against him. The scientist seethed, barely noticing that Starscream had to take two steps for every one of his. He also missed the slightly apprehensive look on Starscream's face every time the flier glanced up at him - the silent, severe mech was so far removed from the Skyfire he knew Starscream didn't quite know what to make of it.

He had been relieved at first; relieved Skyfire had taken him seriously, but more importantly that he'd believed him and not tried to insinuate jealousy or spite like the older, politically-minded Council members who'd probably never even seen a Decepticon, let alone a seeker, before tarring him with the same brush. Skyfire's reaction had been a comfort - his shock and horror at the brothers' actions painful to see, but for the young flier it was a sight for sore optics compared to the sickening, patronising words of the Council or the harsh denunciations of the younger Councillors who brought the three in.

Still... Starscream sneaked another look at his mentor's face and couldn't quite repress a shiver down his back. This cold, angry Skyfire was something new and frightening he really didn't want to come up against in a dark alleyway - far too warped and different.

All of a sudden doubts started to strike him like a hailstorm. Maybe he blames me for reacting so badly? he wondered in a flash of icy dread. He hasn't said a word since we left the Council Chambers - I let him down and he's angry, and that's why he's not talking to me...

It's worth pointing out here that Starscream had been shaken quite badly by the abrupt, unsettling turn of events and wasn't thinking as clearly as he might have otherwise. He was an emotional young mech, and tended to jump to conclusions when he was under pressure - which often lead to him taking things the wrong way or interpreting situations wrongly. In fact, far from being disappointed and intentionally distant with his young friend, Skyfire was inwardly furious with himself, as well as the two mechs that started all this trouble in the first place.

If I'd been keeping a closer watch on Derby and Combine, he thought, I could have stopped any of this happening.

He couldn't have, of course, but being a sympathetic mech he couldn't help but blame himself for things that weren't his fault. If Ripplewing or Starscream could have heard this they would have told him as much - one with a despairing sigh and one with no little bewilderment but plenty of quiet gratitude - but Skyfire kept it to himself, not noticing the worried, anxious glances of the younger mech almost running alongside him.

I failed him. It's like the null ray all over again...

He froze. Starscream paused in mid stride, turning to look up at his companion with the startled, anxious look that had been hovering across his face for most of the walk so far.

What's wrong now? Is he going to yell at me...? Starscream wondered fearfully, inwardly bracing himself. For an imagined reproof that would never come - Skyfire stood stock-still, an expression of dawning horror spreading across his face as he put two and two together to finally make four.

The null ray. Starscream had told him the two had spread rumours about making weapons...and they sat near enough to Starscream in the lab to see what he'd been doing to make the thing.

"...an accident-prone, trigger-happy flyboy or two shining examples of the Academy's investment in the young mechs of today..." His optics narrowed. Above suspicion. Of course.

"It - was sort of ...spooky. Cultish."

"I'm just a statistic...for the saviours of the Universe on their to-do list! That's it! That's it!"

His optics widened and he gasped in utter shock, his anger suddenly turning to ice down his back. Starscream jumped unnoticed at the sound and tried not to back away.

The null ray was no accident - Primus, I'm so stupid! I knew there was something wrong and so did Starscream - so why didn't I say anything?! And if they're involved in all this...those two can't be too experienced with their usual tactics, they've got it wrong. Still... This is bigger than me. Bigger than the both of us.

He glanced down at Starscream and was startled by the wary look in his red optics - almost as if he was expecting a blow. Skyfire decided to get right to the point - there was no time to waste, especially if those two little fools had gotten themselves in with whom he thought they had...

"Starscream" he said and stopped, surprised and hurt, as the flier flinched and looked away. Before he could say anything the young mech burst out "I know; I was stupid, I did the wrong thing, I just...I lost my head..." Starscream looked up at Skyfire with optics that were almost pleading. "If you're going to yell at me, do it. I don't blame you." But the desperation and fear in his face told the truth.

"Starscream, why in the world would I want to yell at you?" Skyfire asked, completely bewildered. "You were angry, they goaded you into it deliberately - I wouldn't recommend doing it again, but I won't cut you off because of that."

Starscream looked up at him, surprised and relieved, and immediately felt like a complete idiot for overreacting. His optics dimmed, embarrassed, and he started to stammer out a confused mishmash of apologies and explanations so jumbled they were almost unintelligible until Skyfire put out a hand to stop him.

"Don't worry, Starscream. I know what you mean, and I'm not going anywhere."

His face grew deadly serious. "But this situation with Derby and Combine just got a little too complicated for us to handle on our own."

"It's a bigger situation now?" Starscream exclaimed in surprise. "Why? What else did they do?"

Skyfire turned and continued down the corridor - faster this time, virtually a run, so the flier was having to jet alongside to keep up.

"Starscream, have you...ever heard of the Converters?"


WoooOOOooo - intrigue! Read and review, people - read and review...

Dum dum dum! I only own Ripplewing, Derby and Combine and the mysterious Converters, whoever they are. I can't afford anyone else, so Starscream and Skyfire belong to Hasbro.

Toodles til next time!