Ch. 146

Shockwave made his way onto the command deck, a single datapad tight in his grasp as he stopped to bow before his leader.

Megatron glanced back at the purple mech from the end of the platform and growled with the anticipation of good news, "Speak, Shockwave."

Shockwave stood, "My lord, the cortical patch session with the Autobot was a success. It would seem whatever methods Starscream had been able to employ was not endowed to his companion."

The warlord turned abruptly and chuckled as he stomped towards his subject, "Where, Shockwave? Where are they?"

Shockwave held out the datapad, "This holds a more detailed script of what I was able to learn from the Autobot. In answer to your question, we must pilot the ship to a place called Jasper, Nevada. The base we seek is located in a missile silo distanced just outside the town. If you wish to fully control Starscream-"

Megatron raised his servo in anger, but did not strike the mech, "I do not wish it! It is an inevitability! Starscream is rightfully mine to control, at whim, to do whatever I please! His presence here only proves that fact!"

The purple mech's optic dimmed and he bowed again, "My apologies, my lord. Should you intend to fully bend Starscream to your control once more," the warlord smiled, so he continued, "then may I suggest a sensible plan of attack? Total annihilation. We cannot allow them time to negotiate a terms of surrender. It is the only logical outcome to pursue your overcasting rule."

Megatron sneered, "Shockwave, there could be no other outcome," he turned back, barking loudly at a Vehicon who was piloting the ship via computer console, "You! Turn this ship around and plot a course for Jasper, Nevada!"

The Vehicon nodded, "Charting course and beginning ascension into upper atmosphere. We should arrive in Nevada within the hour and over Jasper shortly after that."

Megatron's sneer grew, "Excellent..." he looked back at Shockwave, finally taking the datapad he was still offering, "And you, Shockwave? It would seem you still have unfinished business."

"My lord?"

"That pest of a mech we still have in our brig," the warlord explained, "His value seems to have dwindled to nothing. Do as you will with him but do not spare his life. Before we eradicate their base, I want Wheeljack's lifeless chassis off my ship."

"So," Wheeljack coughed, or near spat lightly as he rubbed energon from the side of his mouth, "are ya done with your little fit?"

Starscream stomped a ped, "It was not a fit! And you deserved it! You led them to the location of our base and who knows what else! And if you dare call me 'Scream' one more time-"

"You'll what?" the Wrecker chuckled, "You'll swat me again... Scream?"

The seeker seethed and jumped at the mech, only finding himself more agitated and flustered when Wheeljack laughed louder. Why couldn't the brute take this seriously? Everything was going to slag! And he HATED that stupid nickname! Maybe the mech was broken with hopelessness or Shockwave had damaged his mind irreparably. In either case he was still acting a fool so Starscream 'swatted' Wheeljack over the helm with a few choice words before being tumbled off by the Wrecker as he sighed calmly and sat up.

"Better?"

Starscream scowled and sat up too, wincing at the strain his stasis cuffs were putting him through, "Oh, hardly. But if you're ready to stop teasing me and get down to actually listening to me, you can take this information to Optimus after you escape. Fair?"

Wheeljack shrugged, "I guess it's better than being swatted at by you, Scr-" the mech was cut off when a sharply landed swat smacked him in the faceplate and sent him back to the floor.

"Are you finished?!" the seeker snarled, his bright optics fuming, "Treat this situation appropriately or so help me, I'll make you wish they had finished you off!"

Wheeljack put up a servo and rubbed his cheekplate, "Easy, easy, I hear ya. Geez, loosen up a little, we're gonna be here a while."

Starscream grumbled, "And how do you know that?! I'M going to be here a while; they'll most likely throw you overboard and watch you burn up in Earth's atmosphere before you're crushed on impact."

The Wrecker hissed, almost excitedly, "Now that is a challenge I'd be up for."

"Wheeljack!"

"Alright, look I hear ya!" Wheeljack frowned a little, "But you're right, Starscream. They're not going to be keeping me around much longer. I'm not exactly as important or shiny as you."

Starscream scoffed, "Don't try to add more onto my plate. I'm not important, I'm... just not that. Nor shiny. Knockout has a full on panic attack every time he sees my finish."

The Wrecker shrugged, "... Scream, you're in for a really rough time. I know you wanna hit me for that, but you deserve to have a nickname, from one friend to another, ya know?"

The seeker's scowl loosened and he settled heavily to the floor, grumbling, "Yes, I know..."

"Do you? Cause while Shockwave was rooting around my mind I did some digging into his. He's been given big orders concerning you which is making him concoct some big plans. He's really gonna mess you up..."

Starscream nodded, "I know... So please... Jackie," Wheeljack smiled weakly and the seeker sighed, "please listen... We have to get you off this ship before Megatron destroys their base. I hid something. It doesn't look like much, but it should help you end all this. I'm going to tell you how to find it..."