An update for you readers! This chapter introduces the first glimpse of the war, which shouldn't contain anything too graphic. Please take mind that I don't go into gory detail and much about the mental trauma of it (At the beginning, that is). I kinda see the Decepticons as a race of fighters and warriors, as opposed to the civilian and worker Autobots, so they would be somewhat used to combat. And not to mention that they're winning at the beginning of the Great War; naturally everyone has a sort of positive outlook on it.

And this chapter also introduces fan-favorite Blitzwing! But here he is not the tripolar triple-changer we're all familiar with in the show, since he has not gone through his modification yet. But Blitzwing is somewhat mentally-unstable here… Just imagine him in his icy persona face at all times, but with a tendency to erupt in anger and have random spazz-outs.

Also a note about the Decepticon communications network. I opted for text-based long distance communications since words, in a way, are able to depict things that cannot be depicted in speech like Blitzwing's randomness (Although part of the reason why I went with it was because I didn't want to write out his accent). Each Decepticon can instantly send and receive messages to each other quickly even in the heat of battle without the opponent hearing of it. However, the network is also greatly inconvenient in the fact that one must take time to read it and that messages cannot be broadcasted for the entire army to see. But the networks makes up for this shortcoming by its capability of subspace communication.

Thanks to Deezaster82, Guest, fan girl 666, LadyBonBon, 6MissSparklez9, NyuNyu and heretherebemonsters for reviewing!

The war against the Autobots was raging fiercely again after a rather long ceasefire, and all games between the two Decepticons were forgotten as all soldiers mobilized themselves for battle. They were short-handed, and every subordinate was needed. Even Starscream had to enter combat a few times in order to keep the Autobots away from Kaon. But he always attacked from the air, so he was usually safe out of harm's way. Overwhelmed by the reality of actual combat and the fact that he had to offline the Autobots at first, the Seeker soon adapted when he realized that the enemy would not show him mercy when he hesitated. Not that Starscream had any qualms about offlining other Cybertronians. He never liked the hypocritical Autobots anyways and how they corrupted Cybertron's government until all the officials were either neglecting their duties as they enjoyed their ill-gotten gains or made unreasonable laws for the benefit of themselves.

Megatron was also hands-full in his strategic battle planning. He barely had time for anything else, and for awhile the game was blissfully forgotten between the two of them. Starscream also put Shockwave's threat to the back of his mind. He would have more time to puzzle over it later. The mechs who were hostile against him also fell silent. Ironically, a battle was a relief for Starscream from all the complicated affairs, and he was thankful for it.

However, the last clash with the Autobots in an attempt to assault Iacon directly was a failure for the Decepticons. They lost many of their forces, and even Megatron himself was injured rather severely. Starscream was fortunate enough to escape with a dented wing and some gashes in his armor.

Currently the Seeker was hurrying to the med bay, where the medic Hook had called for his help. With his knowledge as a scientist, maybe he could be of better use there than in the battlefield.

The normally-orderly place was chaos. Decepticons of all kinds and sizes lay groaning while Hook rushed around sealing leaking wounds and reattaching limbs. Occasionally he threw a random tool at a gleeful Scalpel in middle of an unwanted dissection.

"Here, see to Lord Megatron," Hook thrust Starscream a medical kit when he entered, "He's been stabilized, so he's out of the danger of being deactivated. Just seal up the remaining wounds and tend to Blitzwing next when you're done."

Then the medic was off trying to restrain a wildly-thrashing Straxus, who had lost an arm and a pede.

Starscream scowled darkly. Why was he always stuck with that fragger even in the relief of battle? Megatron rarely ventured out into the front lines himself, so he was never injured extensively. Perhaps Hook was merely exaggerating when he mentioned their leader was on the edge of deactivation. The medic had a tendency to use hyperboles frequently, after all. Starscream would tend to Blitzwing first and if he was fortunate, he could slip away unnoticed after that...

When he caught sight of Megatron lying on one of the medical berths without movement, all negative thoughts fled his mind.

Megatron looked terrible. His armor was scorched badly with entire sections missing. There was a deep gash running across his side, which was still oozing energon slowly. His helm was also dented, the crown-like spikes twisting out of shape.

Starscream immediately wondered what had happened to the warlord in battle to receive such severe damage. It seemed like he barely escaped from a crossfire with his life intact. For a cycle he was struck by the fact that being injured in battle was an extremely high possibility, so high that even Megatron could not escape from it.

Well, slag it all. Starscream was doing this out of pure duty.

Discarding all misgivings on having to treat his leader (and worries that he would be spotted since all others in the room were too busy groaning from the discomfort of their wounds), he sat down beside the unconscious Megatron and started his work, first sealing the gash in his side carefully. Starscream rubbed the solder along the edges of the wound, and then welded the soft metal shut with a small blowtorch. During his work, he noticed a rumbling coming deep within the warlord's frame. He stopped, curious of its source, when suddenly Megatron spoke,

"That felt good. Continue on, will you?"

"You fragger!" Starscream snatched his hand away as if the other had the cybonic plague, "You were awake the entire time!"

"Of course," Came the sardonic reply, "Those wounds are only superficial, although they were enough to disable me physically."

"What were you even doing? One would think you entered battle with both hands tied behind your back to face a battalion of the Autobot Elite Guard along with Ultra Magnus himself!"

"Do I detect… concern in your inquiry, Starscream?" Slag it! Megatron was smirking again.

The Seeker jabbed at the larger mech with his blowtorch, who flinched away from the intense heat it emitted.

"Shut up before I apply some new injuries on you!"

Starscream hadn't meant it, or course. But he didn't mean for concern to leak into his previous question either. He returned back to his work sullenly, and Megatron's rumbling also resumed. Only with careful observance that Starscream realized the warlord was actually purring in content as he watched the Seeker through his half-shuttered optics.

Just to be nasty, Starscream traced along the edge of Megatron's abdomen plating after finishing with a small wound. The other's rumbling only grew louder as a lazy smile stretched across his faceplates. Slag did it feel good to have the Seeker working away at his frame, those delicate clawed hands scratching away at the more sensitive parts of his armor. Most of it would have to be repainted and waxed, and Megatron would be more than happy if Starscream was the one to do it. Currently this was another moment that he enjoyed and wished that it lasted as long as possible.

He sighed inwardly as he recalled the events of the battle. Megatron had been caught in an ambush especially prepared for him in the back lines. Ultra Magnus himself led a group of Autobots to first disable Megatron's forces around him, and then focused their firepower on the now open warlord. Megatron had tried to fight his way out. It wasn't pretty. He took a load of laser fire to his armor and a few direct blows from the Magnus' hammer. There was a good reason why Megatron always avoided the Autobot commander, for his weapon's ability to summon lightning hurt like the Pit when it struck its target.

"Starscream, I think you've done a thorough enough work. Now if you would…"

The Seeker glared at Hook, and Megatron was very pleased to know that he was upset about been interrupted. But he left without another word and started work on a nearby Blitzwing.

Just then, a frantic Skystalker slid into view and went straight for Hook. There were a few whispered words exchanged, and then the two rushed out.

Megatron frowned. Something was going on, and he wasn't sure he liked it. All pleasurable thoughts towards his favorite Seeker had instantly evaporated by now.

Sure enough, they came in again carrying a stretcher on which a badly mangled mech lay. He was hardly discernible and could have been dismissed as a pile of scrap. But his bent antennas were still intact.

"Shockwave…" Megatron realized with growing horror.

"He was caught in the explosion of a proximity bomb," Hook explained with a grim expression, "It was a trap Shockwave unknowingly stepped into."

"The Autobots are becoming more ruthless in their tactics." Megatron agreed.

"Shockwave is still in surgery," Hook continued, "He will make a full recovery, but will be in stasis lock for quite some time. Even after he onlines, he cannot enter combat until his systems are functioning at their full capacity. You know what this means, Lord Megatron."

He sighed heavily, "I would have to select a new second-in-command to temporarily replace him."

Hook nodded, "May your choice benefit our faction."

The medic left for the supply room, and Megatron was finally left alone to his thoughts, which he was very thankful for.

This was certainly a crisis. With Shockwave down, the Decepticons had suffered a great loss. He was the one who kept the work in the army going. He took care of paperwork with such efficiency that even Megatron admired his abilities. Somehow Shockwave always managed to obtain Autobot intel that aided them greatly.

But since Starscream came into the command center sporting those strange dents, Megatron had started to distance himself from his second. He was very sure that Shockwave was responsible, and was less than impressed that he had lost his calm over something that was none of his concern. Certainly Megatron had the right to court any mech he wanted. However now that Shockwave was on the verge of deactivation, the warlord felt he had wronged his second. He hadn't taken his attempts for attention seriously and often dismissed him. Shockwave didn't deserve a fate like this.

As for Starscream…

Megatron's mood lifted significantly at the thought of his favorite Seeker. He had the mind to promote him as second-in-command in Shockwave's stead… if the others would approve of his new rank, that is. That was the one thing that was hindering him from making the promotion right away. His council of advisors would certainly object to this, ask why hadn't Megatron chosen from them and argue that the degree of Starscream's abilities and loyalty were virtually unknown.

But the promotion would certainly place Starscream closer to him than before and offer him more chances to interact with the other. To be truthful with himself, that was the exact main reason why Megatron wanted to make him second-in-command.

Soon even in the midst of war and the bad news of Shockwave's incapacitation, every Decepticon started yammering about the now vacant SIC position. Every mech desired to work at Megatron's side as his closest advisor and helper. Not to mention the power that came with it, control over the army only surpassed by Megatron himself.

Starscream somewhat rejoiced that the mech who threatened him was down for the count. At least he didn't have to take the threat seriously now that Shockwave can't carry it out. But he couldn't say that he wasn't tempted by the SIC position. Imagine the sudden rise to authority, something he had been denied of for such a long time! He could command the Decepticons and even become the substitute leader. The Seeker would have jumped at this opportunity immediately, for he had somewhat longed for a promotion. But…

Being SIC meant that he had to work side by side with that pervert trying to get under his armor. Starscream was not looking forward to that.

At the same time he was unwilling to work under a mech like Lugnut, who was the best candidate for the job since his faithfulness was equal to Shockwave's. Megatron would of course take a loyal subordinate to be his second. But surely the warlord wouldn't choose that bolts-for-processor as his trusted second when he had Starscream, who was much smarter and more talented than Lugnut could ever be…

He scowled. He didn't want that position, slag it! Every day would be a torture with that fragging buckethead, with all that suggestive comments, groping and what-nots. Plus jealous opposition will grow even worse. It will be a nightmare.

Nevertheless, Starscream wanted that job. He fretted over and argued with himself over it. He both wanted and abhorred over that rank day after day. Too long he had been holed up in the labs, either leered at or looked down upon just because he was more of an intellectual than a fighter like most of the Decepticons. Most of all, Starscream longed for respect and acknowledgement of his work.

The Seeker's anxiety didn't go unnoticed, however. Blitzwing had taken note of his foul mood and surprisingly invited him for a drink to talk about it. He only accepted the invitation because of the energon he would be definitely getting this time. Starscream had gone at least a few solar cycles without refueling.

"Somezhing is eating away at jou, Starscream." The beige and purple flier noted, his single monocle studying him carefully.

"So what does it have to do with you? I don't need anyone trying to 'advise' me!" Starscream snapped back. He never associated much with Blitzwing and didn't trust him at all. The other was well-known for his mental instability, an outcast among the Decepticons. But so far Blitzwing was the only mech who treated him neutrally, something Starscream was the littlest bit grateful for.

"I suppose it's about zhe rank of second-in-command?" Blitzwing tilted his helm slightly in inquiry.

Starscream froze. Was it truly that obvious that he wanted it?

"How did you…?"

"Jou tend to vear jour emotions on jour sleeve, Starscream. Vith everyone fighting over zhat position, it's really not a surprise. But I definitely know zhat I'm not fit for zhe job, aha ha ha ha ha!"

Starscream backed away as Blitzwing suddenly laughed without reason. Then annoyed that the other wouldn't stop that disturbing sound, the Seeker slapped him on the side of his helm. The somewhat mentally unstable mech blinked a few times before falling silent.

"Thank jou," Blitzwing sighed, "I seem to be losing control of myself more lately, sometimes raging against zhe smallest zhings and laughing for no reason at all…"

"We all have our woes. Now get to the point. What do you have to say?"

"I think jou should go for zhat position."

The Seeker sputtered in shock and promptly spat out his mouthful of precious energon without realizing it, "What?! That's none of your business!"

"Are jou deaf?! And jou just vasted zhe energon I spent megacycles trying to cajole out of zhe dispenser!" Blitzwing suddenly roared at him, "I said jou should take zhat slagged position. And jou better do it or else!"

"Don't threaten me. I heard what you said. But do you really think I could just march up to Megatron and tell him to make me SIC?"

"There is no harm done. It is his decision after all." Blitzwing reasoned.

The Seeker inwardly groaned. That was exactly why he didn't like associating with the accented mech. He was too unpredictable in his behavior.

But Blitzwing had, metaphorically speaking, hit the nail on the head. No matter how much unwilling was he to work for a leader interested in his frame, Starscream still wanted that position and the power that came with it.

"I see zhat jou are considering," Blitzwing agreed, "Know zhis then: Jou are zhe most likely candidate Megatron vould choose."

Slag right. Starscream didn't care anymore. He sent a short message to Megatron.

Said warlord was currently working on his paperwork right after he recovered from his injuries when his communications systems pinged, informing that he had received a message. Megatron raised an optic ridge confusedly. Usually when his officers or any Decepticon wished to speak to him, it was the custom to do it face to face. The message system was only used for long distance communication. But when Megatron saw the attached information of the received message, he stopped all work immediately.

Sender Identification Code: 22406

Sender Name: Starscream, DSD Head Scientist

He grinned. His Seeker had never disappointed him in his impulsive actions. Megatron eagerly read the message.

-Why would you chose that glitch-head Lugnut to be your second when you have me? But grope me again during work and this time I will rip your whole fragging arm off. No hesitations.

This certainly would be the inception of an interesting relationship, Megatron observed as he immediately got to work in sending a reply.

Thanks for reading! I know some of you are dying to see a Jealous!Shockwave ruining Starscream's life because of Megatron, but I had to take him out of the story for now. Otherwise, how would Starscream ever become SIC?

And yes, Megatron wanted to make the Seeker his second-in-command because of a better chance of getting him into his berth. Isn't Megatron a great leader?

By the way, I'm sure you readers should have noticed that every chapter title begins with "In" by now. It's a little challenge I've given myself, however I need some ideas! If you have any ideas of words beginning with "In" that might fit into this vic, let me know in a review, thanks!