Disclaimer: Hasbro and probably a few other people own the Transformers, I own . . . well, the plot . . . maybe.
The original piece wanted a follow-up, and it got one. The Autobots don't do much apart from Red; their part is mainly built on speculation, since, of course, this particular series of events never took place, or at least was never shown.
To CodeRed73, thanks, and yep, Red's getting half the credit for this… so I guess it's really a Red Alert/Starscream fic… eh, he doesn't get written enough…
In response to Naphtali Phoenix, thanks for reviewing! It's nice to know where I succeeded… and I agree that the Starscream POV is somewhat biased (mostly, I think, because he's supposed to be writing it. Now, in a proper narration, it'd be a different story… heheheh…). At any rate, thanks for the information – and elaboration commences shortly.
Last, (though surely not least) to Shade, thanks very much for the kind review, and though I think the Screamer's been relegated to joint first in this fic, it still focuses on his defence, so… well, anyway, enjoy!
The Last Laugh…?
The message finished playing for the second time, and Red Alert shut off the screen, turning to examine the other Autobots' reactions.
The silence in the room was finally broken. "Do... do you think he meant all that?" asked Sideswipe, looking as if he wished he hadn't. "Did he really feel that way?"
"Looks like it, doesn't it?" Hot Shot muttered, still glaring at the screen. "He's right, though. We weren't careful enough." The yellow Autobot whipped round to face the others. "But I won't make the same mistake again!" he declared fiercely, barrelling out of the room. Blurr followed wordlessly.
"I just... don't get it," lamented Carlos, trudging out. Rad answered him with something, and the humans left to continue the discussion elsewhere. Scavenger and Smokescreen departed, too; one thoughtful; the latter's expression unreadable. Sideswipe was led out, accompanied by an unusually grim-looking Jetfire.
Optimus remained behind. He and the Autobot science officer met each other's gaze in a kind of mutual agreement.
"You're going to answer it, aren't you?" he said softly. It wasn't a real question; it was a statement of fact. Red Alert nodded slowly, uncertain as to what the commander's reaction would be.
Prime sighed. "I suppose better you than Hot Shot. Or Sideswipe," he added, then, on an afterthought, "Or the humans." It was amazing how resourceful the kids could be when they wanted to do something sentimental and... sickening, as Starscream would have said.
Red Alert relaxed. It was something he'd have to do anyway, for his own sake as much as anyone else's; he was relieved that, at the very least, he would have proper authorisation. If Optimus hadn't agreed... then he would probably have done it anyway, he admitted privately.
The Autobot leader nodded to him. "Good luck," was all he said by way of leave-taking.
The room was silent around him once more, and he was alone. Trying to gather his thoughts, Red Alert turned back to the computer and began preparing the response.
Very nice, Starscream. Thanks for letting us know how you feel. I have to say, I wouldn't have expected this.
I thought you were more of a Decepticon than that.
Fine, so we did think of you as one of us. But don't you understand? In treating you as one of us, we forced you to think as one of us; to learn to be one of us.
You even said it; 'I know you, Autobots'. Not 'I know your usual idiocy' or 'I can guess your reaction or even 'I know you, foolish Autobots'. Just that you knew US. Once you know something or someone, really KNOW it...
...you don't think of it in the same way.
Trust me, I know.
I'll admit that we lost sight of your reasons for joining us, but in doing so, in agreeing to play by our rules (even if you didn't believe in them), you had to think like an Autobot; you could no longer fight in the same way as a Decepticon might. And because of this, you were forced, however unwittingly, into taking on our viewpoint.
Once you've seen things from one perspective, it's hard to forget, you know. For better or worse, it has an influence on the way you think and act…
No, I don't think your message means you're sorry… yet. Right now, you're angry. It shows. But eventually, when there's time to think, and you're remembering, and wondering, musing over all the things that could have been, that never were…
…we'll be waiting then.
No regrets, Starscream? None, none at all? You might have been playing a game with us, but how well did you remember that? When did the boundaries between reality and deception begin to disintegrate, Starscream? How well could you distinguish between your lies and your own emotions?
Did we think we could change you? No. We never had to.
You did.
It was yourself who changed, you who learned and adjusted to the new environment. And whether you admit to the changes or not, there is one piece of evidence that speaks otherwise.
Because you did, after all, leave us this message.
If you care so little, why seek to explain yourself? Why did you feel angered enough to leave us this explanation? Why care what we think or how we see your departure?
Why try to tell us that it wasn't betrayal?
You knew you were being affected, Starscream, and you didn't like it. The message was, in part, a way of reassuring yourself, wasn't it?
Oh, I agree that it would be futile for us to attempt to change you, but, (and I want you to understand this) we will not stop encouraging you to return. You're right; we can't change you.
You'll do it yourself.
Like it or not, Starscream, you've been changed by your experiences among us, and in denying these subtle changes, you deny what you are - what you've become; in betraying us, you betray yourself. You refuse to tolerate treachery to yourself, and it will be your own identity that convinces you of your mistake.
The termination of an agreement? Maybe for you. For us, it never ended. We're Autobots, Starscream; we don't give up on our friends. And betrayal by someone you consider a friend is probably the most painful of all.
You might not have consciously thought of yourself as an Autobot, but we did. For us, you are a friend still, and with every passing second you betray us yet again.
Please review – I'm quite interested to know how I did on this. Comments, ideas, suggestions etc. are, as ever, very welcome. This is probably going to demand continuation; as you can imagine, the Screamer's not going to be too pleased about this message…