Starscream was running. Running as fast as his servos could carry him.
He panted and yelped as the three beastly Predacons pursued him, roaring and snarling after their prey.
The hallways of Darkmount seemed endless, a labyrinth of metal and rust. Starscream desperately scanned the corridors for an exit but found himself stuck on the same unending path.
Curse Shockwave and his stupid creations! If that lugnut of a scientist had died when he was supposed to then his life would be so much easier. They already had control of Earth. What need did the Decepticons have for an unruly beast among their ranks?!
But while Starscream gave partial blame to Shockwave for his current predicament, one bot above all others infuriated him beyond belief: Megatron. The once powerful warlord, who lead entire armies to conquest across countless worlds had now renounced violence and gone into exile. Starscream swore that he would one day have his revenge on that selfish coward, wherever he may be.
Putting aside his plans for revenge, Starscream tried to bargain with the pursuing Predacons. "Wait!" He yelped whilst running. "It was Megatron who betrayed you! He was the one who ordered the destruction of your brethren! He's the one you want revenge on, not me!"
The largest Predacon's body altered itself, forming the imposing figure of Predaking. Without faltering, he fully transformed into his bipedal form and charged after his prey. "Indeed I shall have Megatron's hide, but first I must repay you for your unjust malevolence!"
Starscream whimpered yet again as he was chased further into Darkmount. "Help! Shockwave! Are you still alive?" He spoke into his comlink. Nothing but static responded. "Grrrha! Curse you Knock Out!" He cried, ripping the damaged comlink out of his audio receptor, frustrated at the fact that it could be damaged by a simple whack on the head with the Immobiliser.
The Predacons were closing in on him, snarling and biting at his heels. Seeing how close they were, Starscream cried out once more. "Argh! Scrap! Help!"
Just as he thought it was over Starscream saw the ceiling ahead shifting and an omnipotent voice sounded across the corridor from the fortress' computer systems. "Voiceprint identified as Commander Starscream. Assistance requested." The ceiling continued to change until two turrets emerged from within it. "Unauthorized lifeforms detected." The voice stated as the turrets turned to face the Predacons. "Engaging hostiles." The turrets whirred before unleashing a torrent of bullets at the three beasts, peppering their metal hides. The Predacons roared in fury, breathing fire at the turrets. The flames engulfed the weapons but they didn't falter, continuing to fire despite their smoking exterior.
With the Predacons' attention diverted to the turrets, Starscream smirked at his good fortune and took the opportunity to retaliate. Raising his arm in the direction of Predaking, Starscream launched one of his missiles at his foe, striking him directly in the chest and causing an explosion that filled the dim hallway.
Predaking roared in pain and rage as he fell to his knees. Before he could recover, Starscream fired another missile at the Predacons, striking the floor at their feet and causing the trio to fall backwards. Still under fire from the turrets above, Predaking, coughing and sputtering made his call. "Come my brothers!" He called out to Skylynx and Darksteel. "We will deal with our enemy another time."
Briefly glowering at Starscream, Predaking tore a hole in the wall of Darkmount's corridor before leaping out and transforming, flying out into the night along with his fellow Predacons. The turrets stopped firing. "Threat neutralized." The computer sounded before the weaponry was retracted into the ceiling again.
Starscream walked up to the opening that Predaking had made, watching the three Cybertronian reptiles fly into the night. He chuckled. "Who's the coward now you ignorant beast? Know that it was Starscream who defeated you!"
After smirking at the retreating Predacons for a few moments, Starscream eventually turned his attention to his other concerns. "Now, let's see what treasures Megatron left in his old fortress. So I may in turn use them to enact my conquest and revenge!" He declared to himself before walking down the darkened corridor, hands rested behind his back.
After an extremely long-winded search through Darkmount's weapon depot Starscream began to grow irritated. "Uhh! Everything here is rust! Not even a single functioning Neutron assault rifle! How am I supposed to reunite the Decepticons when I don't even possess the firepower to level a small Earth city!?" He complained, throwing his fist against the wall in frustration.
Unwittingly, Starscream's fit of anger caused another doorway to open across the corridor. The Seeker looked up at the newly formed opening with a raised eyebrow, approaching the room with caution. It was no different from the others. Rusted Cybertronian weaponry lined the walls in racks, and the dull grey floor was coated with a thin layer of orange corrosion. But exclusive to this room was the gaping hole in the ceiling that allowed the moonlight to shine through, illuminating the dim interior of the Decepticon fortress. However it was what lay beneath the opening that caused Starscream to gasp in shock.
Sprawled underneath the gaping hole, illuminated by Cybertronian moonlight lay a familiar Decepticon. Though in stasis, the figure still managed to intimidate. A wide torso connected to four powerful limbs, complete with an oval shaped head that bore a menacing yellow visor. The shoulders and lower legs donned oversized wheels, making the Decepticon appear even bigger and more threatening. Starscream couldn't believe his optics. This was the body of the master tactician and Combaticon leader, Onslaught.
Starscream's look of shock soon turned into a smug grin. He cackled at the stasis-locked body of the old Decepticon soldier. "Look at how things have changed!" He gloated. "Sadly, I have no need for one of Megatron's fanatics in my army. Consider yourself..." He leaned in closer towards Onslaught's face. "...Discharged." He finished with a smile and slight chuckle before turning and strutting out of the room, a smug look on his face.
However, Starscream heard a set of familiar footsteps echoing down the corridor. Recognizing who it was Starscream desperately searched for a way to seal the door behind him before composing himself as the figure rounded the corner.
"Ah. Shockwave." Starscream greeted the Decepticon cyclops as he approached. "What brings you to this fine fortress on such a wonderful evening?"
Shockwave's single red optic optic oscillated slightly. "Where are the Predacons?" He inquired.
Starscream smirked at the scientist. "Sadly, I had to drive your pets off."
"Alone?" Shockwave raised an imaginary eyebrow.
"Well, I may have had a little help from Darkmount's defence systems..." Starscream responded in a smaller voice.
"So the fortress is still operational even after thousands of stellar cycles. What else have you found that may be of use?"
Starscream suddenly became a little nervous. "All I found in this weapon depot was some old, rusty equipment. The rest must have been taken off-world when we left Cybertron. Now why don't we look somewhere else?"
Shockwave narrowed his optic, seeing straight through Starscream's guise. "What did you find?" He simply asked, causing Starscream to become even more flustered.
"No-one! Erm. Nothing!" He waved his hands about frantically. "I've already looked this place up and down, there is nothing here!"
Shockwave suddenly grabbed Starscream by the arm, bringing him up close. "Show me. Do not make me force it out of you." Shockwave threatened, his voice containing a hint of anger.
Starscream gasped and struggled, unable to break free from Shockwave's iron grip. "Fine! See for yourself!" He pointed at the room where Onslaught lay.
Shockwave turned his attention to the doorway in question and let go of Starscream, who rubbed his aching arm and grumbled. The Decepticon scientist calmly strode into the room that Starscream had directed him to and also found himself to be somewhat surprised. "Oh." He simply said, seeing the still body of Onslaught sprawled over the floor.
Shockwave knelt down beside the fallen Decepticon, examining the body. Starscream stood by the doorway, watching the scientist. "Well?" He asked. "Is he dead?"
Shockwave got to his feet and looked back at Starscream. "Negative. I will require your assistance to transport him to the laboratory below, where I will be able to bring him out of stasis-lock."
"What?! But you can't! There's no way he'll follow me! Do you not remember how he tried to kill me?!"
Shockwave remained unaffected by Starscream's concerns. "He will not follow you because you will not be in command. I will." Starscream's eyes widened. "But do not worry. You have proven yourself to be a useful asset to the Decepticon cause, so I will vouch for you, but only if you acknowledge my command."
Starscream grumbled to himself about the difficult situation he had somehow gotten into. "Very well." He reluctantly responded. "But what of Megatron?"
"I am aware of his betrayal, and he will be dealt with in time. But the Autobots are too disorganised to effectively control Cybertron, so we must first relieve them of command in favour of a more logical option."
Starscream rolled his eyes at the use of the word 'logic' but nonetheless agreed. "Of course"
"Good. Move Onslaught to the laboratory in the lower levels, while I restore power by repairing the energon refinement valves." Shockwave told him before walking out of the room to complete his task.
When Shockwave had left, Starscream spoke to himself. "Very well Shockwave, I'll play your little game for now. But when the opportunity arises, I will not hesitate to take your place." Starscream looked at the body of Onslaught, wondering how his life had become this complicated and against his better judgement, reluctantly began to move the large Decepticon to the lab below.
Author's Notes: I hope that you somewhat enjoyed my first chapter. I will try to update this as often as I can but feel free to leave a review/comment as that lets me know that my story is being read! All feedback (as long as it's civil) is welcome and it's always useful to have a little nudge so I work harder to update and improve! Until next time! ;)