Sorry, long overdue update! To make it up, this chapter is the longest so far. Without further ado, I shall keep my words short.
Oh, and by the way, I started a little side project called "The Many Moments of Courting". It's a collection of one shots that details seemly insignificant moments between our favorite couple, not to mention some of the interactions between the other Decepticons. Mostly includes either silly or serious events. Just drop by my LiveJournal (Link is in profile) and take a look! I will update that whenever I feel like it.
Thanks to fan girl 666 and Amanda Saitou for reviewing!
"According to my researches and intel acquired from our scouts, the Autobots have been using energon directly from the small city-state of Kalis. Previously they were getting fuel from the energon mines in Kaon and since the land is under our control, they had stopped." Starscream mused.
"Isn't that where a fusion reactor is located?" Megatron pointed out.
"Yes it is. But Kalis also serves as a refinery of raw energon directly from the core of Cybertron. At first the Autobots refused to use it because the energon produced there is often laced with nuclear materials, a side effect of the nuclear reactor's presence. But they are left with no choice, though neither are we. Currently it is heavily guarded. The Autobots know that losing Kalis would certain impede their energon supplies greatly."
"We do not have enough forces to mount a full scale assault. What do you suggest, commander Starscream?"
The Seeker scowled at the use of the incorrect title. He was a scientist responsible for data gathering and analyzing, not strategic battle planning. But then he remembered that this was part of the test.
After that run-in with Megatron, Starscream diligently gathered information with Steelstreak's help about this energon deposit, which he was reporting to his leader right now in the crowded mess hall. He had also spent some time to go over possible strategies in actually taking the deposit. Starscream must admit that he was sick of the watery energon the army was forced to consume in order to make their supply last as long as possible. Now their stock was depleted even with all that conservation, the Decepticons had to find more energon soon before they were literally starved to death.
Starscream made it clear to himself that this time he was doing the cause a greater good… and perhaps earn himself a promotion along the way. This had nothing to do with pleasing Megatron and trying to prove himself in front of him, not at all.
"Well?" Megatron reminded.
"A distraction," The Seeker answered, "We need to draw the Autobot forces into thinking that the threat is somewhere else. They would send in reinforcements from Kalis, and then we could stage an ambush when it is emptied. You can consider attacking Altihex or Tarn because these two are the closest."
"They would be expecting it though. We've used this tactic before, so the city-state will not completely empty. They will be keeping surveillance on the skies and the lands around them."
Starscream suddenly realized that he could bear with Megatron much more easily when he was in the practical mood and discussing warfare. He hoped that it would last.
"We can attack from underground, using the pipe network to travel to Kalis. Many of them are large enough for a legion to go through."
Megatron's optics widened, "These are the same pipes that transport energon and sometimes the high level waste materials of the nuclear reactor. Anyone caught in that would dissolve into liquid metal."
"So says the mech who faced down against an entire Autobot legion alone," Starscream snorted at his leader's uncertainty when he recalled the Cycle of Infamy that supposedly sparked the conflict, in which Megatron allegedly fought his way out single-handedly when the Autobots surrounded him, "It would much less risky than that since I have obtained information on the schedule of waste depositing in the pipe network. We could avoid the ones which are in use. Besides, the Autobots would never expect us to use the pipes for travel."
"So do I have to repeat this entire strategy in front of the officers? I should have brought you before them earlier then."
"You realized just now?"
"…Sort of. I'll put your designation in the credits though."
"You fragger! Don't you dare claim my strategy as your own!" Starscream was sorely tempted to slap the other across his faceplates. After explaining diligently his brilliant plan that he spent days in perfecting, Megatron had gone ahead and dismissed it.
"I wouldn't dare, dear Starscream. I wouldn't sink so low as to commit plagiarism. But excellent plan indeed, utilizing the element of surprise in the most unexpected method."
Starscream faltered when Megatron actually praised him instead. He was somewhat elated that a conversation with his leader hadn't led to something more suggestive.
"And if the plan goes spectacularly well, I will hold a celebration. A reward will be also in order for you…" Megatron's tone was thick with innuendo.
Scratch the previous thought.
"Ugh!" Starscream knew the conversation was going to turn into something like this, "You fragger! Stop giving me hints—"
"There jou are, Starscream! I've been looking for jou. There'z zhis thing I vant to show jou, but I can't guarantee jou'd like it! Aha ha ha ha!" Blitzwing suddenly interrupted rudely, sliding into the seat beside the Seeker.
"Vhy, hello zhere, Lord Megatron. Vhat a pleasant surprise, nien?" He addressed the warlord.
"Well, I shall be leaving you two to your own matters. Have a good time." Megatron stood up to leave, but not before bending down to whisper into Starscream's audios.
"I look forward to having you as my second."
One of the warlord's hands trailed along his wing ever so subtly. Before Starscream could make a snappy retort, Megatron was already gone.
It turned out that all Blitzwing wanted to show the Seeker was his newfound ability to swallow energon and then squirt it out of his olfactory sensors. This caused a small riot among the present Decepticons, who were upset over the precious wasted fuel. Starscream had to quickly drag the still-cackling mech out and deposit him in his quarters, but not before ranting on being interrupted from a very important discussion with his leader. Somehow Blitzwing misinterpreted and blatantly asked if he and Megatron had finally fragged each other. At that Starscream stormed out in a huff, concluding that the other was in an unusually high mood and should be left alone. But Starscream was still thankful for his interruption. Who knew where his conversation with Megatron could have gone?
Then Megatron issued the order to mobilize for battle on an assault against Altihex, a city-state near Kalis. He informed them of Starscream's plan extensively, and the Seeker was pissed that nowhere in the briefing did he mention whose original strategy it was. That slagged glitchhead! How dare he take the credit for his own?! There was no way Megatron himself would have thought up such a brilliant strategy like this!
Starscream had to swallow his anger again, deciding that he would chew his leader out after the battle.
However on the contrary, Megatron was in a very good mood, which he was constantly in for the past few orbital cycles. One of his main concerns had a clear solution, and he was sure that the others would come to pass too. Starscream had an unexpected daringness when it came to strategizing. He and his advisors had come up with a similar plan a while ago, although all of them agreed it was too risky to carry out. But the Seeker had somehow made it all sound plausible. In addition, the Decepticons were more than ready for battle at the prospect of fresh undiluted energon to consume. Even Megatron was weary from the rationed fuel they were forced to take in. He was in for some high grade.
The Decepticons set out almost immediately and divided into two along the journey. Megatron took the majority of the army with him and Starscream the lesser. If the plan worked well, the Kalis team wouldn't have to worry about not having enough.
He sighed when he remembered that Starscream would be leading the separate team. Megatron would have liked to fight with him side by side in battle, having never done so before. But Starscream was needed to navigate the treacherous underground pipe network. Megatron was required to reveal himself to the Autobots so hopefully they would mistake him as the real threat. In other words, he was the bait.
And a tempting one too, he realized as he and his forces surrounded Altihex. The Autobots were the most eager to offline him out of all Decepticons. They would throw everything they got at him now that Megatron had actually stepped out to the front lines to lead his army in battle.
"Lord Megatron!" Lugnut interrupted him from his thoughts, "The Autobots in Altihex are outnumbered and they had sent reinforcements from Kalis. They are approaching as we speak."
"They fell for it." Megatron commented.
"Indeed, my lord. This is a most clever strategy you had come up with. No one can compare with your genius and superior intellect—"
"I didn't plan it." Megatron cut in before Lugnut could rattle off into another five megacycle long speech of praises. A leader needed his flattery sometimes, but too much made him annoyed instead. A pity that Lugnut never seemed to realize that.
Nor would anyone realize that Megatron made this battle plan anonymous on purpose. It wouldn't do to have everyone disregard it just because it didn't come from a trusted strategist, or for Starscream to suffer the jealousy stemming from the warlord's special attention on him. Plus, this withheld knowledge might be the key in having his other officers accept Starscream as a future second.
"But…but…my lord?"
"Thank you, Lugnut. You are dismissed. Take a regiment with you to the skies and report the progress of Autobot reinforcements to me."
As Lugnut stammered his cooperation and left, Megatron sent a message to Starscream over the message network. He frowned. He should really upgrade his army with comm. units one day. But at least the Decepticons found great joy in using emoticons.
- We have arrived at Altihex and will start assault in a megacycle or two. Autobot reinforcements had set out from Kalis. Requesting status.
A cycle later he received a reply.
- We are halfway there using the pipe network and haven't met the danger of nuclear wastes yet. Obviously they use the pipes for sewer drainage too. Stinks to the high heavens down here.
Megatron grinned despite himself.
- Don't complain. I'll wash you when this is all over :D
- No THANK YOU! Once is enough. Don't you have a battle to fight rather than to go over your daydreams?
- It hasn't started yet. I want to wait until the reinforcements arrive before attacking. This way we won't be caught between the Autobot forces. If we're fortunate we can also take Altihex.
- If you pull your processor out of the clouds long enough to remember that you still have a battle raging around you. Look, I have to concentrate. We are nearing the reactor.
- Good. May you succeed.
- As much as I wish to see you tripping over your own pedes in combat, you too.
Megatron decided to ignore that cheek from Starscream at the end. There would be plenty of chances to banter with his favorite Seeker later. No matter how he wanted actually clean his delicate frame like he mentioned earlier, he had an army to command and a battle to win.
"Slag it!" Starscream cursed, "Why didn't you warn me earlier?!"
"I did, but it appeared that you did not hear me." Steelstreak replied rather dismissively, fiddling with the datapad in his hand.
"It doesn't matter. Ve need to move on before zhe next wave comes." Blitzwing advised.
Starscream fell silent, but he fumed frustratingly at his team of Steelstreak, the Stunticons, Blitzwing and Oil Slick, chosen especially since they were few of the many who were unlikely to ambush him out of their collective jealousy. It was bad enough that they were forced to wade through the sewer pipes on pede in order to proceed to the ones leading to Kalis. The pipes were at first large enough to fly through in the Decepticons' alt-modes. But the passageway soon grew narrower and narrower until they were forced to proceed on pede. And now that they were in the nuclear waste zone, they had to avoid the waste materials that were emptied in five cycle intervals… each time a different pipe. The team had several close calls coming contact with the erosive substance. In fact, Starscream had just escaped with a few burn marks, which he blamed on the others' failure to warn him. He suspected that they were doing it on purpose despite his careful choosing of his team, for Steelstreak's attitude only served to reinforce this fact. In fact the assistant had been acting odd lately, becoming withdrawn from the others and slack in his work. Still, Starscream needed his aid to monitor the pipes.
To make things worse, the Seeker's claustrophobia was kicking in as time went on, and he could literally feel the walls closing in on him. Long hours isolated from the sky usually reduced him into a blind panic, but Starscream had managed to overcome it to some degree. Now the phobia made him jittery, paranoid and even more snappish than usual instead. It also caused him to be extremely distracted.
So now his own teammates were attempting on his life, weren't they? If this is still about Megatron's affair, Starscream was going to give him a good bash in his faceplates after chewing him out. Slag that Megatron and his flirtations! He literally placed the Seeker's life in danger… and probably didn't know or care the slightest. That was no way the warlord would treat him if he loved him…
Love? Love?! Starscream inwardly shot back. Infatuation, obsession, interest, intrigue, anything but that sappy sentimental thing called love. Megatron wants him in his berth, and he wants to start by appointing him as his second. Improper and inappropriate behavior for a leader! Starscream was many times disgusted by it.
A hand suddenly grasped him at the scruff of his neck and jerked, pulling him out of the way as a torrent of the bright green toxic liquid rushed past.
"Concentrate, Starscream, or jou vill be zhe end of us all." Blitzwing gave him an odd look.
"Thanks." The Seeker stammered, his nerves rattled from the close call. How long did they have to endure more of this? Starscream consulted the datapad in one hand. They were almost there. Three more miles and then they will be emerging into the waste processing facility in Kalis.
Starscream resisted the urge in sigh in relief. He'd rather engage in hand-to-hand physical combat than to traverse the nuclear waste sewage pipes any longer.
The sky above Altihex was a storm of colors, laser fire from both sides firing thickly at each other. The Decepticons in their flight-capable alt-modes performed elaborate evasive maneuvers in the air to avoid shots fired at them, at the same time returning shots of their own.
Megatron swooped down towards a group of Autobot defenders manning one of the laser cannons that were firing towards the air. He unleashed a few well-aimed blasts from his fusion cannon, effectively disabling the weapon. He then landed, transformed and without stopping, drew his twin swords to plow into the stunned Autobots. They fell away easily.
"Look, it's Megatron himself!" Someone shouted, "Gather reinforcements to Sector Five and concentrate all attacks on him!"
Slag. He shouldn't have revealed himself like this. But Megatron couldn't help showing off sometimes. As more Autobots poured forth from the alleys, the warlord simply aimed his cannon at them and allowed it to charge to full power. The resulting blast incinerated several of them and sent the rest scurrying for cover.
Megatron smiled grimly. He had already taken too many Autobot lives to feel crippling guilt over it. Sometimes sacrifices had to be made for the greater good, for the hope that the Autobots will one day realize that they are fighting for a corrupt government and acknowledge the need to change. Until then Megatron was willing to wage this war against them as long as it takes. At first he had attacked the colonies as a warning to the Autobots. But when they refused to back down, he gradually turned to the Autobot city-states. One day though, he would finally bring his army to assault Iacon directly and overthrow the Cybertronian ruling council by force. The corrupt jurisdiction had been allowed free reign for too long—
- Lord Megatron, we are taking a beating at the south wall of the city. If you can spare your aft in battle, do something! Strika notified.
- Coming. He could have spent an entire solar cycle reminiscing of the war, but first they had to keep the Autobots distracted long enough.
As Megatron transformed into his Cybertronian jet fighter mode and flew towards the provided coordinates, his thoughts turned back to Starscream again. He hoped he already emerged from the underground and started his assault on Kalis. The sooner it was done, the better. Megatron had already received some more notices from Straxus and Blackout that their troops were having a hard time handling the Autobots' defense. Fortunately they were only a distraction, or they probably would be defeated again in this battle. But true victory would eventually be theirs.
"The next wave should be coming in three cycles through Pipe 4A. That's five rows away from us." Steelstreak reported.
"Five rows? Then why bother with it?" Wildrider grumbled.
"Unless you wanna be melted down into a puddle of goo just because of a failure to monitor the pipes, be my guest." Dead End shot back.
Starscream resisted the urge to fire his null-rays at the arguing mechs. It seemed like as time went on, everyone's mood worsened until even the most innocent comment sparked a clash of opinions. At least they got better at maneuvering in the pipes and were nearing the exit. They hadn't met a close call for awhile. In another five cycles they would be finally out. Starscream was looking forward to an open space again, so he decided he could tolerate a little more of the bickering among the team.
A distant clang somewhere ahead caught their attention. All of them immediately readied their weapons and pointed them towards the source of the sound.
"Show yourself!" Starscream commanded. There was nothing, but he was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
"Uh…Screamer old chap? I don't think that was someone." Oil Slick uttered uneasily.
"Don't call me that," The Seeker snapped back, "And if some mech didn't make that noise, who did? There is no one but us down here."
"The Motor Master volunteers to scout ahead." The leader of the Stunticons declared.
"No," Blitzwing shook his helm, "I've heard zhat sound before when ve got nearer to our destination. Every time when zhe nuclear waste was emptied, a gate at zhe reactor would open and shut vith zhe same sound."
"You mean that our pipe is going to be flooded with corrosive nuclear waste?! What are we waiting for?! Run!" Breakdown screamed.
"Hold it!" Dragstrip restrained the paranoid mech with some difficulty, "Steelstreak said that the next wave would come at the pipe five rows down!"
Just then there was a rushing sound that came from ahead, accompanied by a familiar green glow that gradually flowed nearer.
"Can we panic now?" Breakdown whimpered.
"Yes." Starscream shouted as he sprang into action, "Get out of the way!"
Each Decepticon ran, some to jump into neighboring pipes and some activating their thrusters to speed away where they had room to hover safely above. Even in his arising panic, Starscream made sure every Decepticon was out of sight before running to search for his own safe spot. However he was suddenly tackled from the side. Taken by surprise, Starscream fell hard with his unknown assailant landing on top of him. There was a click, and his frame was paralyzed with an electrical charge as his wrists were bound by a pair of stasis cuffs. Starscream then panicked. He tried to thrash his way free but found he was completely unable to move. He tried to shout and lash out at the mysterious mech. Nothing worked.
What was going on?! Who had attacked him?! Why?! He didn't want to die like this! He must get free now or he would be liquid metal in the next few seconds.
The mech who had attacked Starscream then leaned close until all he saw were his two burning red optics. Even in his predicament, Starscream could not help but notice the crazed light in them. His horror was further enhanced ten-fold when he realized that mech was Steelstreak himself.
"You've seduced Lord Megatron long enough. Time to end your promiscuity!"
Before the Seeker could even comprehend what those words meant, Steelstreak suddenly let out a terrible cry and fell backwards with a sizzling wound in his shoulder. The next few nanokliks after that was pandemonium. Two hands grabbed at Starscream, one taking the stasis cuffs and snapping them in two. Then he was hoisted over a shoulder and tossed up towards a grille in the ceiling. A familiar accented voice told him to hold on tight.
Starscream managed to do so in his now half-paralyzed state. In his muddled mind he realized that Blitzwing had sacrificed his own safe area and was now in danger of being eroded by the waste flow. The Seeker reached out a hand weakly, but Blitzwing waved furiously and mouthed that he would find another way.
There was no time, and though Starscream was annoyed by the other more times he could count, he wasn't about to let him die like this. He gathered his strength to lunge forward, grasp the other's hand and managed to haul him up as he fired up his thrusters so that he could flatten himself safely against the top. For a moment Starscream's grip threatened to give, but he remembered yelling at Blitzwing to do the same. Then the wave hit them.
For a few seconds there was only a roaring noise in his audios. Starscream was only aware of maintaining death grips on both the grille and Blitzwing's hand so hard that his fingers dented as the liquid waste rushed past. Then it was over.
He dropped tiredly from the ceiling, landing beside Blitzwing with a crash. It was after awhile before Starscream was able to collect his wits and start to think again. He noticed the other's frame was smoking slightly from several severe burn holes in the armor.
"Blitzwing!" The Seeker exclaimed, kneeling down to examine the extent of damage.
"I'll… be fine." Blitzwing managed to rasp out, "Avoided most… of zhe wave. Probably survive vith… cosmetic damages…"
"Ugh… that was one heck of a mess. Let's hurry up and get out of here. Carry Blitzwing along." Oil Slick thankfully took charge here. Motor Master was dispatched to carry the jet's now unconscious frame and Starscream ordered to proceed leaning on Oil Slick's shoulder. He was still suffering from the paralyzing energy of the stasis cuffs to walk on his own.
As for Steelstreak, he was nowhere to be seen. He must have been swept away and melted into liquid by now.
Starscream couldn't actually believe that the bright quick-minded Steelstreak had assaulted him like this. He had selected him to be his assistant because of his meek obedience and diligent work. That crazed mech with distorted faceplates and his mouth twisted in an insane grin couldn't possibly be the same Steelstreak he had known for quite some time now.
The Decepticons were now whispering among themselves about the narrow escape and that unexpected attack. Several blamed poor Breakdown, who was notorious for drawing misfortunes.
"Never expected Steelstreak to go insane like that, hmm? Never thought he had it in him. He would have killed us all by reporting wrong information like that. Lucky I was there to save you with that dart in the shoulder, huh? You owe me one now. One would think that old coot is aiming to offline you…" Oil Slick kept up a steady stream of chatter as they continued on. Starscream was content to ignore him though. He was now buried in his thoughts and reviewing the strange event now that the exhilaration of it was over.
He thought of what had made Steelstreak snap. The mech certainly had the intention to offline. He was even willing to put the entire Kalis operation in danger just to offline Starscream. Then he mentioned seducing Megatron and his promiscuity…
Starscream gritted his dentas when he realized where this originated. Although Steelstreak was a quiet mech, he was one of the many who held Megatron in adoration and almost worship. He must haveresented the attention Starscream got from his leader… and suddenly just happened to get desperate. Slag that fragger! Because of him Starscream and his entire team was put in danger.
Even as they emerged from the pipes and stormed the nuclear reactor facility in stealth, taking each and every Autobot out with Oil Slick's gas bombs and well-aimed shots, Starscream was unable to concentrate anymore. His joy at the prospect of fresh energon, anticipation of battle, dread towards Megatron's promised reward and every emotion he had experienced for the past few orbital cycles in dealing with his leader all faded away as he realized one fact.
Megatron was indirectly responsible, and incidents like this would continue to happen when he least expected in battle. For Starscream, war would no longer be a matter of fighting for the cause he believed in, but a survival game that tested how long he would survive before giving up either his life or his effort to prove himself before his leader. It didn't require time to decide.
It was all incompatible. Starscream was unwilling to risk his life for a fragger who wasn't serious about this whole promotion. No position in the army was enough to make him to put his safety on the line like this, let alone give his leader his complete loyalty. Starscream should have left when Megatron had given the offer. He should have known that this would happen.
But at the same time he was strangely reluctant to throw everything behind. He hated nothing more than giving up so easily after he had endured the other's jealousy for so long. It can't all end this pathetically, it can't…
Starscream wasn't sure whether sure he should sigh in relief or wail in despair. He wasn't even sure what he was feeling now.
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