Ch. 122

Hardshell let out another loud roar and slowly stepped back. Procedure in this moment dictated that he contact the Nemesis and report his find. Starscream. The seeker Lord Megatron had been obsessing over for far longer than he probably should have. The prize was walking his way towards the Insecticon, glare and blaster unwavering.

"Keep moving," Starscream threatened, his other servo flexing its claws dangerously as he made it to Smokescreen's side, "Still alive, are we?" he taunted.

The white mech smiled weakly and trembled as he stood, "Yeah, and I'm not even upset that you're gonna hold this over my helm forever."

The seeker tsked and shrugged his shoulders, "Well if we get out of this in less than four pieces, I'll call it a victory. Fair?"

"So fair."

C.Y.L.A.S. pulled himself up and glared, trying to fight the sneer growing on his faceplates, "Starscream. It's a joy and a pain in my heart to see you once again."

"You don't have a heart, C.Y.L.A.S.," the seeker retorted, "And I highly doubt you've a spark to call you own, either. Now stay down or get killed. I'll even allow you to pick yourself."

C.Y.L.A.S. smirked, "Tempting offer. But despite what I'm sure you've seen between myself and my companion here, we are both much in favor of killing your Autobot friend and taking you back to the Nemesis. Care to wager your freedom in combat?"

"I think we'll manage."

The disfigured seeker laughed, "You hardly escaped me the last time, what makes you think you'll find victory now?"

Starscream shrugged, "No humans. It'll make this easier."

"And yet," C.Y.L.A.S. mused, "I have an Insecticon."

Hardshell huffed, "Enough talk! Starscream, surrender yourself or prepare for battle!"

"Already prepared," the seeker sneered, firing a missile at the pair.

Both jumped away to avoid the explosion and Hardshell transformed, flying up to get to a better vantage point. C.Y.L.A.S. took to running through the canyon as he returned the missile launch with his own blaster fire, ducking when Starscream fired back with more than just a scowl of annoyance on his faceplates.

"This is all your fault!" he growled, the comment clearly aimed at his companion beside him, "I'm going to let Prime ream your aft for this! His disappointed looks are legendary! You'll never relieve yourself of the guilt!"

Smokescreen groaned, "Aw, c'mon! You think I don't know how in deep I am for this?! You could cut me a little slack!"

"Nah!" Starscream snarled, "Make that a double dose of 'nah's, you are getting reamed and I am going to happily witness it! What did I tell you?! Reckless!"

The white mech pouted as he aimed his blaster fire up at Hardshell, the Insecticon trying to find an appropriate moment to make a dive upon them. With C.Y.L.A.S. firing shots from wherever he was able to find cover and Hardshell trying to distract them from above, it was clear both pairs would be busy for some time. The Insecticon decided to make a bold move and hovered high above the Autobots, transforming and landing in between them with a shriek. Smokescreen barely managed to jump out of the way and Starscream had to roll not once, but twice when C.Y.L.A.S. made a shot for his leg and missed only just. Hardshell was fixated on the silver mech, his thoughts wandering to the praise he would receive for his capture. But annoying twangs of pain riddled into his backplates from Smokescreen's blaster fire and the Insecticon growled as he turned and ran at the white mech, intending on slashing him to pieces with his claws.

"Sniveling insect!" he roared, slamming his claws into the ground in an attempt to skewer his prey, "Cease this futile act and accept your imminent death!"

Smokescreen jumped back a second time, "Imminent death? Well it sure is taking a while to cause my 'imminent death', isn't it? Means I must have some fighting chance."

The white mech aimed carefully and fired his blasters at Hardshell's helm, the energy scalding into sensitive mechanics and causing the large mech to shriek at a burning in his optical visor. While Smokescreen continued to distract Hardshell, C.Y.L.A.S. moved in on Starscream and tackled into him, pinning him down tauntingly with his spider legs.

"You're making this too easy," the disfigured mech sneered, "At least try to act like you don't want to be taken prisoner!"

Starscream glared, "Believe me," he snarled, "I DON'T!"

The seeker wrenched an arm back and slammed the tip of his blaster into a small spacing between C.Y.L.A.S.'s back armor and spider leg attachments. The act on its own was painful, but the mech started screeching loudly when Starscream fired, burning hot plasma deep into his plating at an alarming rate. C.Y.L.A.S.'s spider legs reared up and smacked the seeker away, freeing his blaster from the crevice in his back, and the mech collapsed to his knees, training a missile at his opponent.

"So," he panted between hisses, "you are going to make this a challenge."

Starscream huffed, "I don't think we could have it any other way."

The seeker scrambled to his peds and jumped to avoid C.Y.L.A.S.'s missile. Starscream landed roughly, almost falling, and fired back with his blaster. C.Y.L.A.S. glared and ran forward, skidding to a stop to avoid colliding with Hardshell when the mech flew passed. Starscream took the opportunity to run at the disfigured mech, tackling into him and pinning him to the ground. The two grappled with each other as Smokescreen and Hardshell continued to exchange blaster fire. A stray shot from the Insecticon exploded passed Starscream's wings, startling the seeker. C.Y.L.A.S. took advantage of the distraction and shoved him back hard, climbing on top of him.

"Did you really think I'd let you get away?" he snarled, almost cackling as he dug his claws into his arms, "Lord Megatron has plans, and I need him to start meddling with you so I can kill him and begin my own tests. Better to start now, isn't it?"

Starscream reached up to scratch his opponent off when he felt a terrifyingly familiar feeling. It was pressure. A hot mix of pain and burning encircling his neck. C.Y.L.A.S.'s claws dug in and Starscream whimpered, immediately going to the mech's servo to pull them from around his neck. The disfigured mech laughed and squeezed tighter, smirking.

"What an interesting development," he mused, "It would seem Megatron did one thing right. I enjoy finding a weakness in the enemy so, so much..." C.Y.L.A.S. leaned in close, watching as Starscream began to tear up, "I think you weaken when you're choked. Years of abuse? Did he do this to you often? Well, I'm going to do it to you now. After I kill Megatron," he hissed, "you will be my prisoner."

Starscream squeaked out a sob of pain, his hiccup building but only shifting him gently, his body vibrating in agony.

And C.Y.L.A.S. laughed, "Can't get away, can you?! Just as well! I wouldn't want you escap-"

A loud blaster shot rang out and C.Y.L.A.S. was thrown off Starscream and into the canyon wall. Hardshell stopped mid-bite into Smokescreen's helm to look up, Optimus Prime's furious glare burning into him. The Prime said nothing. He charged forward with a roar that echoed into the canyon and sliced his blade deep into the Insecticon's shoulder armor, sending him back as well. C.Y.L.A.S. shakily sat up from the ground, wincing at the leaking blaster wound in his backplates, and stared at the fresh wound raked along the chassis of his companion. The mech growled and tried to stand in an attempt to run, but the loud charging of a blaster caught his attention and he froze, staring into the barrel of Prime's gun.

"You are going to leave this canyon," Optimus said deeply, his glare unwavering, "You are going to return to your ship with nothing but your lives. And if you dare to come after my soldiers again off the field of battle, I will ensure that Megatron will lose two more of his officers. Have I made myself clear, C.Y.L.A.S.?"

The mech nodded wordlessly and stood with some hesitation, waiting for Hardshell to join him before the pair transformed and flew off quickly. Optimus watched them go, then looked back at Smokescreen and Starscream, the white mech helping the seeker to his peds.

"Wow, Optimus!" Smokescreen gasped, "That was amazing! You were all- whoosh, bang, za-"

"Smokescreen," Optimus ordered, pointing angrily back down to the exit of the canyon, "Move. Now."

The white mech froze and blinked then slowly turned and began walking. Starscream balanced himself on a boulder as he gently wheezed his intakes back into his chassis and the Prime walked over to stand beside him, his fists beginning to shake.

"Starscream," he said firmly, "I do not believe I am in a mood to speak to you just now."

The seeker nodded, "Yes, I gather... Shall I start walking?"

Optimus nodded in return, "If you find yourself capable, then yes. I will join you momentarily."

Starscream carefully pried himself from the face of his boulder and wobbled as he began walking through the canyon after Smokescreen. After his second step and second wobble, he felt powerful arms and servos steady him as he moved. The seeker looked up at Optimus, trying to catch his optic, trying to read whatever was going on in his mind, but the larger mech wouldn't look at him as they walked. Starscream knew whatever emotions were welling within him were volatile and radiating with worry. But he didn't vocalize his own concerns. And the Prime said nothing.