Ch. 178

Starscream did better to hold in another heave while C.Y.L.A.S. stood beside him. Neither mech had moved for what seemed like an eternity, even if it had only been a few moments since they had been left to their own devices. But the silver mech wasn't interested in being stuck on this level of the ship under the watch of C.Y.L.A.S.'s mismatched optics. He wanted to explore, gather intelligence, find a means of sabotage. After all, he was still an Autobot prisoner... even if he was a faction of one, maybe two.

"So," C.Y.L.A.S. finally growled, glaring at his new charge, "are you going to walk on your own?"

Starscream stood up straighter and glared back, "I can manage just fine. What's wrong, parasite? Upset you're not allowed to play with your master's toy anymore?"

The disfigured mech smirked, "I'll treat you how I see fit. I'm not above lying to Megatron."

"Nor am I. You forget that I've been doing it since before humans had 'civilization'. I may as well have invented it."

C.Y.L.A.S. pointed down the hall with a scowl, "Walk this way, 'dear' Starscream."

"Don't you dare call me that," the seeker snarled, "I can't stop him from calling me that yet, but don't think I'll hesitate to stop you."

The black mech smirked, "Feeling feisty?"

"I have no issue with ripping you to pieces, parasite."

C.Y.L.A.S. chuckled, grabbing Starscream's arm, "Don't try it. I'm telling you for your own good..."

Heavy pedfalls came from down the hall and a gruff rumbling echoed after the sound, "C.Y.L.A.S..."

The disfigured mech smiled, "Ah, Hardshell..." the large Insecticon stopped beside the pair, sniffing gently, and C.Y.L.A.S. brushed him off, "Now what are you doing?"

Hardshell growled, "What I am doing is of no importance. But you seem to have your claws upon the master's prize. He will not be pleased..."

The black mech scowled and pulled Starscream in front of himself, "Haven't you heard? Megatron put me in charge of watching his favorite seeker. I'm surprised it hasn't spread throughout the ship yet."

The silver mech pulled his arm away roughly and watched Hardshell carefully. C.Y.L.A.S. didn't make a move to grab him again, but with the Insecticon now with him he'd have a far less successful chance at doing anything he wanted. That pretty much included 'escaping'.

"And what are you to do with him while our master is away?"

The black mech shrugged, "Keep him inside, away from the drones, until Megatron calls to collect him. That doesn't leave us with many options."

"You," Hardshell corrected, stepping back, "I have not been tasked with sparkling-sitting. Perhaps you should take him for a walk."

C.Y.L.A.S. growled and glared, his servos in fists, "I said 'us'. You're going to help me," the Insecticon froze in his step and grumbled as the smaller mech spoke, "If I haven't made myself clear, let me know."

"You... have."

The black mech relaxed slightly, "Good. Now, where shall we take our new charge?"

Starscream's optics darted back and forth between the two, his attempts at hiding a feeling of giddiness becoming difficult. He knew he was witnessing something. But he needed to be absolutely certain...

"If I may interject?" the silver mech spoke up.

C.Y.L.A.S. frowned but nodded, "Fine, since this one doesn't ever have any bright ideas," Hardshell, growled and the disfigured mech scoffed, "Well you don't. If you can't provide something concrete, I'll have to take it from Starscream... Now what is it?"

Starscream perked his wings, "The other Insecticons."

"What about them?"

"They are away from the drones, aren't they? They're in the ship?"

C.Y.L.A.S. nodded slowly, "They are. And you're suggesting...?"

"It's clear what I'm suggesting. What disadvantages would you have bringing me to the hive?"

The black mech frowned harder, "... It's not disadvantages I'm worried about, but the advantages you could have. Why the hive?"

"Why not?"

C.Y.L.A.S. suddenly reached out, taking Starscream by the chin and pressing him up against the wall behind him, "Don't play smart, 'dear' Starscream. I'm not going to let you have the opportunity to assess your situation; that'll be on Megatron's time. With me, you're going to be an open book whether you like it or not."

The seeker snarled, struggling to push his assailant off, "I'll be nothing of the sort, least of all to you!"

"Then here's the deal, Starscream," C.Y.L.A.S. huffed, "You want to see the hive so much? You have to give me something in return. That's how it works, doesn't it?"

Starscream growled, but nodded, "Usually, yes."

"... Fine then," the black mech released him, pointing in the opposite direction, "This way," he ordered, "and by the time we get to the hive, you had better have a very detailed prediction for me about my future on this ship..."