there's a million&one ways
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A/N: Good news guys! I updated! Better news? I'll probably be able to update every week and a half to two weeks. :D && once again thanks for the support guys! I love hearing from you guys and enjoy reading your messages. Hopefully everyone (on fan-fiction) was able to receive their reply via the reply button. If you didn't, feel free to bop me on the head for accidentally overlooking you. This chapter is dedicated all the readers. ^^
Replies:
Ever Free,, it'll only get more amusing as the story progresses, lol.
Pairings: Annabelle Lennox w/ Starscream vs. Annabelle Lennox w/ Ironhide
Disclaimer: I do not own transformers or any of them; they are rightfully copy-writed to their respectful owners.
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"She needs help," Ratchet stated firmly. His optics tiredly glowered at his old comrade. Frustration built in his system, and his memory bank threatened to identify Ironhide as a foe rather than ally. "Professional help."
"Annabelle is okay," Ironhide huffed. "Her hormones are in their monthly out of order, and causing her logical processor to not function properly." He folded his arms as he leaned annoyingly against the door frame. He rolled his eyes away from the medic, and tiredly look at the glow-in-the-dark stickers on the ceiling. "I've known her long enough to know that she may be a little insecure and selfish, but not insane." Optimus looked over at the old soldier as he analyzed the two arguing sides – Ratchet and Jetfire versus Ironhide. "Knowing her the best, she probably has a whole scheme planned out for reviving the asshole. She's always got a plan for this whole temper tantrum that she's throwing."
"But doesn't it concern you that Annabelle has turned to a decepticon to solve her problems over us?" Ratchet asked bitterly. "I for one am hurt that she has gone to such extreme lengths, and that we have allowed for it to get this far."
"You're taking this too personally," Ironhide retorted.
"And you aren't taking this seriously enough!" Ratchet pounded his fist onto the table. Sideswipe looked wearily at the medic, as Ratchet leaned threateningly forward. "Perhaps you have not read of what mental illnesses can cause. If left untreated, Annabelle could cause great destruction to our established life. Even more disturbingly, she could cause harm to herself." He glared pleadingly for Optimus to side with his logic. "I want to help her. I want Annabelle to be happy again."
"You are analyzing this only from a medical perspective," the black mech criticized. "If you say it from a more social perspective, then you would logically realize that leaving her alone is the best course of action. We already know that she doesn't want to harm us, and that she doesn't like being against us. It seems that she may not have the capacity to fulfill her plan either."
"What are you proposing, Ironhide?" Optimus inquired.
"We let her sink or swim on her own. She needs to learn to stay afloat on her own," he clarified. "If she wants help, then let her receive it on her own accord. Otherwise, I think we should let her deal with this on her own." He took a deep breath to help calm his fuming anger. His canons hummed lightly as they began to charge. Ironhide stared his commander in the eye. "She already has an unstable home life. The last thing she needs is for us to be against her. She needs a stable family, and we are the only ones who can provide that for her. "
"You have overlooked the aspect of her spending too much time with us," Jetfire peeped. "She's become dependent on us."
"It's not too much, but too little," Ironhide retorted. "She's learned to manipulate situations into her favor because of her mother's influence. I have no doubt that if she had spent more time with us, that this whole situation would have been avoided, Jetfire."
"But she needs social time with humans," the scientist argued. "How else is she going to learn how to function in human society."
"She goes to all of the major human events," the soldier spat. "You just don't want to admit that Annabelle is part of this family, and is just as much of a sibling to any of us as Prime is our leader." Ratchet's jaw was tightly shut, and Jetfire looked shamefully away. "Unless any of you want to lose trust with Annabelle, I suggest you let her be."
"And you're positive this will work, Ironhide?" Optimus asked.
The soldier nodded. "I have been watching her since she was a tiny fleshy," he reminded. "I know how her mind works by now. She's bound to lose at her own game . . . sooner than later." Ironhide looked at Jetfire. "As for the asshole, he needs to be put in line. Just because he is Anna's new toy does not give him any special exceptions. He should get the same prisoner protocol that all the other prisoners get. He's still a dangerous 'con, and is a threat to Anna. But until she sees through her illogical actions, we need to make sure he doesn't come up with some scheme to turn Anna against us."
"So act civil?" Ratchet inquired.
The black mech nodded. "As much as I detest the asshole, we need to act civil."
"Can you do that?" Jetfire asked scientifically.
"Are you questioning my abilities?" Ironhide asked bitterly.
"Yes I am," the autobot replied weakly. "You're illogical need to seek revenge for Chromia has cost us before. Not only are you disillusioned by her vengeance, but you have recently inflicted damage on Starscream have you not?" Ironhide remained silent, and venomously glaring at the aerial 'bot. "I'm merely concerned that you may hinder your plan. I – I'm just worried you may end up letting your emotions and personal agenda get the better of your actions."
The autobot's hands folded into tightly held fists. "You traitorous bastard," Ironhide growled primitively. "I have full control over my impulses. At least I never sided with those fucking, murder loving decepticons, you test tube loving 'con."
"Easy Ironhide," Prime stated firmly. "Jetfire was under misconceptions about the war. And need I remind you he brought back Sideswipe without any reinforcements?" Ironhide let out a retaliating huff before hatefully glaring at the floor.. "He has a made a good point, Ironhide. You are a good soldier, and an excellent protective figure over Annabelle, but this time I believe it to be better if you could remove yourself from vengeful temptations."
"With all due respect, Sir," the general stated callously. "I can control myself. I want to be part of her healing process."
Optimus moved forward, watching his old comrade silently began to throw a temper tantrum. He placed a hand on Ironhide's shoulder. "You have been a good protector," he stated. "The best protector we could provide . . . but logically the percentages are against you. You have directly disobeyed orders on numerous occasions to engage Starscream on vengeful agenda. Some tines the best help we can provide is by standing on the sidelines."
"I refuse to stand on the sidelines," Ironhide objected. "I am not programmed to sit around and rust."
"You will not be sitting around," Optimus assured. "I want you to take your pick of the new recruits, Jetfire, and Sideswipe to the current location of the decepticons. From what Jetfire has told me, there are only four of them situated on Earth. If we can eliminate them, then it will help us gain access to their currents plans. It'll also help speed the process of completing the space bridge." He paused, waiting for Ironhide to revolt. "This is a priority, and a job that I trust you can complete without any complications."
He dully nodded. "When do the new recruits arrive?" the mech inquired.
"They'll be arriving seventeen hundred hours today," the leader informed. "Of course, they'll have to be cleared by NEST officials before they can come home. You'll be happy to know that several of your old students are among the new recruits." Ironhide looked up with a sudden improvement in his attitude. "You remember Arcee and Cliffjumper, don't you?" He nodded. "They'll also be bringing Mirage and the other twins with them."
"Those illiterate protoforms?!" Ratchet shrieked. "Why in the name of Primus are we bringing them to Earth? They are nothing but processor ruining glitches." Jetfire slowly nodded in agreement. Sideswipe's scowl became a harsh, unrelenting glare. The red mech folded his arms moodily across his chest. "All they have ever amounted to it increasing the amount of paper work that has had to filed."
Optimus stood shockingly still. It took his processor a few seconds to comprehend his medic's sudden outburst. "I realize they are less than efficient when it comes to literacy and following battlefield tactics, but they are willing to help; and we need their help." Sideswipe mouthed the word 'fuck me' before jumping off the table. The twin held his limp arm with his other hand. He angrily limped out of the room, having had enough talk about the other recruits.
Ratchet rolled his eyes and said exhaustingly, "Protoforms these days are so moody."
"Is he okay to be moving around?" Optimus inquired.
"He shouldn't be moving much, but his functions are restored to stable levels," the medic informed. "Perhaps letting him get some fresh air will help relieve the tension he is feeling, and hopefully he will help Sunstreaker recover from his mental breakdown as well."
"It's hard to believe that sociopath could become so distraught over his twin being MIA for that short of a time span," Ironhide commented. "Never thought I'd see him actually caring for someone other than himself."
"You'd be surprised," Jetfire stated. "Some spark scientists suggest that a twin bond is the most powerful bond to exist."
Ironhide casted him a glare, indicating he had not wanted an answer to his question. "Yo dawg, he's right, 'Hide," Jazz intervened. "You were there to witness how fucked up Ultra was after Megatron go and drop the bomb on him about da war. I swore he was gonna somethin' freaky when Megs goes and disowns him for not choosin' a side . . . or his side."
"I saw," Ironhide huffed.
"We don't need internal disputes now, Ironhide," the azure and cherry red mech stated. "For both of Annabelle's and our sanity."
"Your siding with, 'Hide?" Ratchet asked, breathless.
The 'bot nodded. "Yes," he stated bluntly. "Because Ironhide is right. We have let her become too dependent on us. It's time for her "stretch her wings and fly" as the humans say." The medic looked away, silently brooding over his leader's decision." Optimus borrowed his stare into Ironhide, trying to convey the point of safety he was preaching. "But if she is not better by a month's time or does another radical action, then I will have no objection to letting a medical officer diagnose her." The weapon specialists nodded, not having much more to say.
"Ironhide?" came the familiar call from Sarah. The mech groaned, silently loathing his job as Sarah's new "taxi" for security purposes. Without so much as nod or goodbye, the mech turned out of the room and plotted the most efficient pathway to Sarah.
"I best go wake up, Anna-dawg," Jazz mentioned before walking coolly out of the room.
Jetfire feebly looked at the ground. Insecurity churned within his spark, making him feel "jumpy" and over stimulated by the soiled impulses. He submissively glanced towards Ratchet, but all the medic could provide was a doubtful gaze. He looked away to the ground as brooding feelings that the medic was hiding a statement built within his systems. More annoyingly, the alert of Thundercracker attempting to contact him flashed on his internal diagnostics screen. "If it's not too much to ask, I would like to recharge," Jetfire requested. "I have not had to the time to recharge, and my sensors are indicating that my functing abilities are beginning to decrease in their efficiency."
"Of course Jetfire," Optimus replied friendly. "It's understandable since all that you had to do yesterday."
"Thank you, Sir," he muttered as he walked passed their leader. His footsteps noisily filled the halls, but underneath the noise his audio sensors picked up on Ratchet's voice murmuring quietly to Optimus. He stopped, against his better judgement, and carefully listened as the medic spoke.
"There's something I haven't shown you that was on the video that concerns Jetfire," was his quiet voice. "I didn't want the others to jump to conclusions, but – " He turned off his audio sensor before he could hear Ratchet finish. He deactivated his communications system in the process. The scientist looked solemnly forward, trying not to dwell on what he had heard, but his sluggish footsteps delayed his travel.
He stumbled onto the berth, letting his legs hang precariously off the sides. The sound of the door closing eluded his audio sensors, but the lack of light was a bad comfort to his optics. He laid his face down into the berth, mimicking a tired Annabelle. "You promised me that I would be safer here, Screamer," he muttered into the white berth. "You promised," he added before his systems shut down.
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Even before she entered the room, Starscream could smell the faded stench of numerous humans lingering in the cool air. The most distinct smell was the scent of female hormones, and unique combination could only belong to one hominid – Annabelle Lennox. Soon the slapping of flip-flops diffracted off the walls and into his audio receptors. He found it safe to assume, by the clicking noise, that she was texting one of her homosapien counterparts. The seeker closed his optics, praying that the human was just passing by. He could not safely calculate how much longer his patience would last, but estimations told him that he was ready to tear the head off the first opposition that came his way. He pushed his good hand against his face as the flipping and clicking noise reached its peak. Starscream let a loud, irritable groan.
Anna slid her phone into her pocket. She dropped her backpack onto the floor. "Where the hell is Jetfire?" she asked tiredly. She grabbed the straps of her backpack and dragged it behind her as she walked. "I told him specifically that all hell could loose, but that it would not come between me and my effing homework." Anna looked up to the seeker with glazed eyes.
Starscream annoyingly toyed with the upper ridges of his right optic. "Am I suppose to be listening to your pathetic rant about how your life is so horrible?" he asked in a harsh and sarcastic voice.
"I'm not complaining about my life," she corrected sourly. "I'm complaining about how confusing math and science is." The human plopped herself onto the ground. She leaned against her backpack and sighed. "I mean how am I suppose to do the work when I don't even effing understand what a fucking hyperbola is." She pressed her head against the hard texture of her books. "When the hell am I going to need to use the formula for a hyperbola? It's not like my dad uses this in his line of work."
"Of course you wouldn't understand hyperbolas," Starscream scoffed. "You're just an unintelligent adolescent human."
"Exactly," Anna agreed. "They need to put it into unintelligent adolescent terms." She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of resting her eyes. The human wrapped her arms around her body to conserve body heat. The sound of her slow, deep breathing filled the room. The seeker peered over the table to see Annabelle "wiped out" on the floor. He was half tempted to open his mouth to figure out why she was so "wiped out", but a moment of silence (while in the presence of Annabelle) was too precious to shatter. He took a whiff of the air, before recoiling. The mixture of sweat, perfume, and other human bodies was more repulsive now since she was so close to him. "I probably should've taken a shower before I came in," Anna muttered. She opened her eyes, and looked up at Starscream. "Ratchet's always complaining how much humans stink."
"I support his claim that your race stinks," he stated. "Both intelligently and physically."
"At least I don't smell like energon," Anna retorted. She sat up, looking devilishly up at the seeker. "You're a smart cookie, Twenty-two." He stared perplexed at her, trying to make sense of how a food product could be intelligent, and why she would refer to him as a energy source. But by the mischievous smile, he could guess that she had a scheme ready to unfold. "Would Lord Starscream, with all his superior intelligence, be willing to help a pathetic excuse for a human as me with her homework?" She pulled her head slightly back and tilted it to the left. It was a vulnerable and sad look that he concluded was a "puppy" face. "Please?" she added on desperately.
Starscream knew she was being playful by trying to appeal to his egotistical side, and he enjoyed her attempt to stroke his ego. "I do not offer my services for free, fleshy," he reminded coolly.
"I know," she commented innocently. "That's why I'll give you protection from the others if you help me with my homework."
"I require more than just protection, human," he negotiated.
"What else do you require, milord?" Annabelle asked. "After all, I live to please you."
He could not resist laughing at her statement. She grinned at him with glimmering eyes. Starscream rested his head on his good palm. "You have a been a loyal servant, fleshy," he said, playing along. "Perhaps I should reward with by increasing your limited knowledge in the fields of math and science. But I want to know something."
"What?"
"Why did you ignore my text messages?" He leaned over the table and outstretched his hand. Annabelle loaded her ruby red back pack onto his hand before jumping onto his fingers. "I sent you twenty-two text messages asking what you were doing, but you failed to answer any of them. Are you that incompetent that you refuse to answer to your superior? Such disrespect should result in a punishment, fleshy."
She gracefully stepped off his hand and onto his shoulder and carried her backpack with her. "Firstly, I need to pay attention in my classes," Annabelle criticized. "Otherwise my short attention span gets the better of me, and I don't pay attention. Secondly, I found it creepy that you texted me so many times. Are you suffering from some sort of glitch, Twenty-two?" Annabelle leisurely plopped herself down onto his shoulder.
"My scans indicate that I am functioning at a normal percentage," Starscream barked.
"Then why the hell did you text me twenty-two times with the same message of "what's up, squishy?"" she inquired.
"You are my only source of slightly intelligent entertainment," the seeker informed. "And my high functioning processor gets easily agitated when I have nothing to keep me thinking or entertained. When I have nothing to process, I become even more agitated, fleshy."
"You could always twiddle your four thumbs," Anna suggested. She pulled out her Algebra Two book, a Hello Kitty notebook, and matching fuzzy pen. She flipped the notebook open to a sheet of paper with homework problems. Then the human flipped her book open to the current lesson. She pressed her left index finger to problem eighteen. "I don't get how to solve part C."
Starscream painfully craned his head to see the book. "This is an ellipse," the seeker established. "You have the first part of solving for the center correct, but what is this?" Using his hologram program, the mech created a virtual red arrow to point to the second part of the problem. "Are you trying to solve for the distance between the vertex and center?" Anna nodded. "Your problem is that you're using focus point instead of the vertex point. You need to use the vertex point (4,4). Your answer will come out to six then."
"Sweet," Anna replied as she scribbled the answer. "But why do you use the vertex point?"
"You're trying to find the number that corresponds to the "x" in the numerator," Starscream explained. "If you used the focus point, then you're trying to find the number that corresponds to "y" in the numerator." She made a small "oh" with her mouth. "By some miracle, you seem to have gotten the concept of substituting "a", "b", and "c" right. Though . . . "
"Thought what?" Annabelle asked.
"Why do you use such an inferior method to find "a" and "c"?" Starscream sneered.
She shrugged. "It's just how we're taught."
The seeker groaned. "You humans always have to make equations more difficult than they have to be." He changed his hologram to an interactive screen. "There's a more precise and quicker method that might be more suited for your intellectually challenged brain." Anna leaned forward, resting her head on her fists. "Just watch. Hopefully, and I do mean hopefully, your puny brain might be able to grasp the concept."
Anna gave him a dirty glare. "Just remember it's my puny brain that can decide whether or not you live," she reminded. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you, Twenty-two."
"Do you wish to learn an easier method or not, insect?" the 'con inquired, his voice dangerously impatient. Anna rolled her eyes, but closed her eyes. "Then, if you will pay attention, I'll try to explain it." Starscream sighed as she grabbed her notebook and pen to take notes. "Are you quite ready yet?" She nodded subordinately. "Now, watch as I use the method to solve this vertical major ellipse."
Time quickly and quietly slipped passed the human and seeker. Anna had remained quiet, trying to absorb and dissect the new and "better" techniques that Starscream had taught her. As she scribbled down the last answer to her chemistry equation, she let out a contented sigh. Starscream, as usual, stared critically over her. His optics eagerly for a mistake to correct and exploit, but despite his want to see her make another mistake, he couldn't hold back a small smirk. Too long had it been since he explained chemistry compounds and the complicated reactions and side effects they produced. A few fond memories of his "younger" years had slipped briefly into his mind. Those were the good ole days, he had told himself.
Anna slapped her pen down onto his shoulder. "Done," she breathed. Pressing her head against his wing, she closed her eyes. "I will never understand how someone can become so excited over chemistry." She tucked her notebook, book, and pen into her backpack.
He rolled his optics. "You, like the majority of both Cybertronians and humans, don't have enough gratitude to understand and love science," he accused. "You will be surprised how many fields require a basic understanding of chemistry."
"But you forget I'm a human," Anna commented.
"Precisely," the seeker replied.
Anna lazily stretched herself across his shoulder. "For coming from another planet, you're a pretty decent teacher."
"I am," he stated egotistically. "I used to give weekly lectures and oral reports to my superiors when I was a scientists. Of course, you had to dumb it down so that their retarded processing units could follow along."
"You can't use the word retarded, Twenty-two," Anna corrected. "It's offensive."
"I used it in its context, fleshy," the mech argued. "The word means limited intellectual development. As far as I see it, I used it properly."
"I'm just telling you it's an offensive word," she warned.
"Don't you have anything else to do?" he asked.
"I finished everything else," Annabelle said innocently. "Well, except one thing." He looked grumpily at her. "I've got to review for an advance biology test; which is outside your field of knowledge."
"I know the basics of human anatomy from the World Wide Web," the seeker enlightened callously. "I also spent over five years observing your deplorable excuse for a varmint at that Primus forsaking air base." Starscream removed her backpack from his shoulder, and casually dropped it onto the table. "Now pay attention, squishy." He projected a virtual life-sized human skeleton onto his shoulder. Anna curled her lips inward as she held back a snappy remark. She folded her arms as Starscream said, "This is your skeleton. It is comprised of bones. The bones are divided into two parts: the epiphysis and the diaphysis. Then the bones can then dissected into articular cartilage, epiphyseal line, spongy bone, medullary cavity, nutrient foramen, endosteum, and the periosteum." The seeker glanced at an amused Annabelle. "Do you have something to say?" he asked. She nodded. "Then what the hell is it?"
"I don't want to ruin your bubble, but . . . "
"But what?" he retorted angrily.
"This isn't advance biology, Twenty-two," Annabelle told cooly. "This is anatomy." His smug face melted into a sour scowl. She had indeed burst his bubble and his plans to display his vast knowledge about humans. "But we can still keep the human hologram out." She stood up carefully, grasping wires to help steady herself. "We can use it to build you a human hologram."
"I have a human hologram," Starscream clarified. He quickly shifted his human skeleton to a middle-aged Air force dressed male. Anna gawked at the human. Her obvious disapproval of the human was "written" (a term he had heard humans used) all over her face. "He's been designed specifically to fit any military branch without being detected."
"But what's with the helmet and mustache?" she criticized. "Does he come from the Pink Panther era or something?"
"Pink panther?" the seeker inquired.
"Never mind," Anna dismissed. "We have to fix him, though."
"Hypothetically speaking, if my hologram was somehow inferior," the mech said. "Why, would I let a rueful human female correct my human hologram?"
"Because that rueful human female has designed all but two of the autobots' holograms," she snapped. "And this is also the same human who could turn Twenty-two's life into a living hell if she pleased." Like a big wig of a company, she narrowed her predatory gaze on him. "So negotiating time, Twenty-two."
"I never negotiate," Starscream spat. "Negotiating is for the submissive inferior."
"Is that so, Twenty-two?" she inquired. Anna slowly pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. "There's a speed dial on here set to Ironhide's frequency." She carefully scrolled down the list of contact, making sure that Starscream could see Ironhide's name clearly printed on the screen. "Would you like to reconsider negotiations?"
"You love seeing me in such a vulnerable state," the seeker retorted.
She nodded. "I do enjoy seeing you squirm underneath my superiority," Anna confessed. "But not as much as I enjoy arguing with you." She leaned against his facial side panel. She could feel his glare on her, but his death look only encourage the young woman to smile. "Back to our subject. . . . will you reconsider my terms, Starscream?"
He grabbed her abruptly by her back, and pulled her away from his face. "I'm in no mood to play games, fleshy," he stated gruffly. "Now why don't you go skip happily merrily to your guardian or someone." He placed the human onto the table. Unsurprisingly, she stood aggressively.
"As if," she sneered. "I'm not going to be bossed around by some assembly line rejection." She placed her hands on her hips. "Besides, I'm just going to tweak him a little bit. And it's only six o' clock. I've still got time to chill before I eat dinner and what not . . . and you, as usual, have nothing to do. So you should feel grateful that you are blessed with my entertaining intelligence."
He tried not to choke on her words, but his attempt was met with failure. "Blessed?" he coughed. "You are going to far now, Annabelle."
She shook her head. "I've still got a long ways to go," the human replied. Anna grabbed hold of the wires and circuits as she climbed her onto the seeker's thigh.
"What's that suppose to mean?" he asked, slightly afraid and curious.
"You'll see," she chimed virtuously. Starscream stared at Annabelle, hoping that she would divulge the contents of her plan, but her mouth closed to the subject. The human reclined against his chest, and stretched her legs lazily across his large thigh. She snapped her fingers repeatedly. "C'mon, let's edit your hologram already."
"Do you have any friends?" he inquired.
"That's off subject, Starscream," Anna retorted. "But yes. I have quite a few friends."
"That's amazing," the mech stated.
"Why?" she asked, taking offense to his statement.
"Because you are one of the bossiest creatures I've ever had the displeasure to meet," Starscream answered.
"I see what you are trying to do," Annabelle informed. "And it's not going to work." She let out a hot breath of carbon dioxide and water as she folded her arms across her chest impatiently. "Now give me your hologram and I'll make this as quick as possible. I promise."
He projected his hologram to stand directly in front of the human. "I don't trust one word you say, Annabelle," the seeker reminded.
"That makes two of us if that makes you feel better," the human replied. "The helmet and mustache have to go first. No ands ifs or buts about it."
The seeker removed the designated items, revealing a middle-aged forty-some year-old man. "Why does that make two of us, Annabelle?" he inquired curiously. Anna stood up, careful not to disrupt the virtual image. She tapped her fingers against her lips in thought.
"Because I have an impulsive habit of putting myself in danger before thinking about the consequences," Annabelle answered. "So by the time I realize it was a bad idea, it's too late." She reached out to touch the human's nose, disrupting the hologram. "The face is all wrong; especially the nose and eyes. And what's going on with the faded hair? Are you trying to look ugly on purpose? You'd be doing a good job if you are."
"And do you go out of your way to be annoying?" the seeker retorted,
"For you, yes," Annabelle countered coolly. "You need to angle his jaw a little more so that he doesn't look so flabby. Think young like twenty-five or twenty-six. That's a good age for a pilot." The hologram face shifted immediately on her command. "Much, much better, Starscream." Anna looked over her shoulder, examining the 'con's color scheme. "Your eyes should definitely be the amber color of the cockpit."
"But that's an unusual human eye color," he objected. "It'll draw attention to my hologram, Annabelle."
"But it adds a personal touch," she argued. "So will you just change the damn eyes now?"
"That's not a good argument," Starscream criticized.
"Do you want me to call Ironhide in here to kick your ass again?" she inquired.
"You're just bluffing," he accused.
Anna stared back him with a hungry wolf's gaze. "Do you want to test that hypothesis?" she asked wearily. "I'll be more than happy to help prove you wrong, Starscream."
He instantly changed the hologram's eye color and said, "I bet you would, Annabelle. You're the kind of pathetic human that would rely on someone bigger than you to fulfill your bidding. I will praise you on one accomplishment: you have a done a marvelous job of manipulating the autobots."
"Thank you for the compliment, Starscream," she responded friendly. "It's took me a while to get them to warm up to me; especially Optimus. He's more inclined to letting the humans stay in the dark about your race. He, like my mother, wanted me to be left out of your world. It's really ignorant of them to want to do that. It should be my right to decided who I want to spend my time with. Taking that right away is like invoking – "
"Tyranny?" Starscream finished. Anna nodded. "That's what the autobots do. They are very intolerant of some simple rights." He looked passed Annabelle, analyzing the hologram. "I think the sandy brown hair matches my color scheme," he commented as he changed the hologram's hair color.
Anna nodded in agreement. "Excellent improvement, Starscream," she noted. "He needs the chin to be a little more square though. You know, so that it gives him a more powerful presence in the room." She folded her arms, trying to decide what to modify next. "Definitely needs to be a little more muscular, and a little bit taller too. Maybe like six foot two or three."
"Anything else, Annabelle?" he asked venomously as he edited the hologram further. "Or has it reached your level of satisfaction?"
"I have one last little tweak," she confessed.
"This is no longer a tweak, Annabelle," Starscream corrected sourly. "This is an overhaul of my hologram."
"But I'm making him look good!" she retorted. The human posed next to the hologram, and grinned. "You have to admit he looks a lot better."
"All you fleshies look the same to me," the seeker answered bluntly.
She shrugged. "What can I say, we humans do share ninety-nine percent of the same DNA."
"Inbreeds," he sneered.
"Yup," Anna stated proudly. "And we're six billion strong and growing! What was your race's decreasing population again, Starscream?" The seeker grinned his dental plates together, and blew a hot breath of exhaust at the human. She smirked, before pulling her phone out of her pocket. The human quickly scanned over the message, and typed a reply.
"Which infidel are you communicating with?" he asked curiously.
"Mummy dearest," the human responded in a less-than-pleasant tone. "She's wanting to know if I want Subway for dinner." She stuck out her tongue and pointed with her finger to her throat "Sounds disgusting right now, but at least it'll keep Ratchet at bay."
"I never quite understood why you humans are so picky about your energy sources," the seeker said plainly. "It's just energy. Why do you care so much about the taste?"
"Because we humans have taste buds instead of analyzing on our tongues," she informed. "And unlike your race, we cannot turn off our senses." She carefully jumped off from his thigh and onto the table. She glanced over her should and said smugly, "Thought you would've known that, Starscream."
She began to walk away, and he snorted. "No one turns their back to me," he stated furiously. He leaned forward, letting his shadow envelope her body. Anna twisted her head around, and saw his hologram breathing over her. She turned around, looking up at his hologram. "Much better," he spoke appraisingly. He placed his fingers delicately around her lower jaw. He motioned to raise her jaw, and surprisingly she played along. Annabelle raised her head, careful not to disrupt the hologram, His amber eyes scrutinized her facial structure. "You're lucky your race does not have good vision," he stated coldly. "For they would not be able to stand looking at the facial imperfections for long."
"My face is symmetrical," she spat.
"Not to my scans," Starscream informed. "I see every little imperfection, down to the last cell."
She stuck his tongue. He smirked in response. "Sad really. If you saw what I did, then you might be a little less incline to be so cocky, Annabelle."
The human took a step away. "Wow," she said sarcastically. "The pot's calling the kettle black again."
"You never let me get the last word in, will you, Annabelle?" he asked.
"You're going to have to earn it, Starscream," she informed. His hologram broke away from looking at the human. Annabelle followed his gaze to see Ironhide standing in the doorway. Ironhide stood with absolute stillness, trying to override the alert systems' warnings. Ironhide's cold stare briefly looked over Starscream, before softening to watch Annabelle.
"Jetfire says he will help you with your homework once he's done with his meeting," Ironhide delivered.
"No need," Annabelle replied. "Twenty-two – " she pointed her thumb to the hologram looming over her. "Has done that already. He actually was able to help me understand my math." The seeker's hologram moved forward, placing a protective hand on her left shoulder. She looked annoyingly up at the smug hologram, but said nothing. The 'bot clenched his fists tightly. Every ounce of his mass yearned to rip the hologram projector out of the decepticon's optics.
"So why don't you run off now, auto-scum," Starscream added on unsparingly. Anna jabbed the hologram in the abdomen, briefly disrupting the image. He rolled his eyes with a disgusted snort. "Pathetic fleshy. Jabbing me will do me no harm."
"I know that!" retorted barbarically. "I've been around holograms long enough to know you can only disrupt their images."
"I was just checking your knowledge," he added smoothly. Anna took a step back, completely disrupting the hologram's image. The seeker growled as he let his hologram fade. "You arrogant little insect," he breathed. Ironhide stepped protectively forward. Both his canons uncontrollably slid down to his forearms. The 'con glared at the autobot. Starscream's body tensed as his systems prepared to defend himself. "I'm not going to harm her," he reassured. "I'm not that dumb."
"Correction: you don't wanna die tonight," he informed through gritted dental plates.
"Don't you have to be somewhere, 'Hide?" Anna asked annoyingly. She folded her arms. "Sunny mentioned something about new recruits, and you fetching them."
"That twin can't keep his mouth shut," mumbled Ironhide.
"Good thing too," Anna commented happily. "Cause he's about the only one who keeps me informed about such things." She stared sternly at Ironhide, who's only answer was staring back at her. She flipped her phone out, looking at the time. "You better leave soon. It's a good six hour drive if you don't go too fast or get caught by any cops."
"I know how long it takes me to get there, Annabelle," the mech stated bluntly. "It'll take them a good few hours to become confirmed by the liaison and other NEST officials. Besides, I still have to pick your mother up from work."
"Well I thought you'd be leaving early to catch up with my dad," she replied plainly.
"Your father is off duty for the night," he informed. "He mentioned something about visiting Fig's family before heading to the bar to get a couple of drinks."
"That sounds about right for my dad," she commented softly. Starscream sat upwards with a bored expression beginning to show on his facial plates.
"Do you need anything, Anna?" he asked in a calmer voice; his optics glanced wearily at the seeker.
"Yeah," the human replied. "Tell the new recruits their introduction into hell begins Friday night at six o' clock sharp."
He rolled his optics. "I don't even want to know what you are going to do to them," he said tiredly. Ironhide sighed. "If you need anything Annabelle, I'll just be a call away."
"I know, but I've got everything I need already here." She pointed to her backpack. Ironhide began to turn around when Anna said, "Oh! And if there's anyway you can convince my mom to pick up Mcdees instead of Subway, you will be my hero for tonight. And if you get it passed Ratchet, I will love you even more." She smiled at him, and the mech nodded. "Thank you, 'Hide!"
"Mhhm," the general replied as he left.
Anna spun around and nearly fell over in surprise when Starscream's hologram appeared suddenly. "He's up to something," Starscream said. "That slag was too restrained." Anna moved through the hologram, and picked up her backpack. "And I'll bet my spark that he's not the only one either." The human shrugged as she lifted her backpack onto her shoulders. His hologram stared annoyingly at the human. "Aren't you worried about what they are planning to do, Annabelle?"
"I figure between you and I, they won't get far in their plan," Anna answered.
"Since when are we a team?" he inquired callously.
"We aren't," the human reassured. "They look bad for me to be on the same team as a decepticon. But you and I are both prisoners, and whatever happens to one of us, will affect both of us at this point. So logically, if you want to stay alive and I want to keep my freedom, we'll have to have some sort of mutual relationship." The air force hologram followed her as she neared the side of the table. Anna dropped her books onto the ground. She lowered herself onto the table. "Just think of it as the evil necessities of survival, Starscream." She slid down the table's leg, landing softly.
The human stared disapprovingly down at her. "Where are you going?" he inquired.
"To gather valuable information via Guitar Hero," she chimed. She grabbed her backpack as she headed towards the doorway.
"So you're just going to leave like that?" he inquired.
"I'm not your baby-sitter," she retorted. She heaved the backpack higher onto her shoulder. "Besides, you know how to get a hold of me if you need me."
"Want," he corrected. "I don't need you. You are only a temporary pest that I have to put up with. Once I'm free, I will never need your pathetic entertainment again."
"Whatever you say, Twenty-two," Anna replied as she left the room. "Just don't make promises you can't keep."
He stared where she had stood, half wanting her to come back so that she could fill the silence in the room. The seeker sighed, and pressed his head against the wall. Starscream opened his cockpit, and let the cellphone fall out onto his hand. 'Surely they don't keep track of who she calls,' he thought. The mech pulled a loose circuit out, and hacked into the phone's mainframe. His optics cautiously flickered to the door, before focused on the phone again. A small smirk pulled at the corners of his mouth when a communitive connection was established. 'Thundercracker, come in. This is your Lord, Starscream.'
Not even five human seconds passed before he got his answer. 'Lord Starscream! It is wonderful to hear from you! Even by the impersonal and primitive means of this communications.'
'I realize that, Thundercracker, but I have no other means of communication other than hacking into this human's faulty phone . . . Their medic has disabled many of systems to make me "safer."'
'I laugh at their attempts to confine you, milord.'
'As do I. What has been occurring in my absence, commander?'
'Much, Lord Starscream. Scorponok was able to recover your Allspark fragments.' Starscream smiled, happy that his hard work had not been lost. He breathed a sigh of relief as the urge to carry on with his mission filled his processors. 'Barricade has also located Megatron's resting place. The humans have patrol officers watching over the fallen decepticons, but I believe it is too dangerous for us to embark on a journey to revive them just yet.'
'Wonderful, Thundercracker. You have proved to be an excellent and loyal second-in-commander.'
'I do have bad news, milord . . . Shockwave has taken Cybertron from my grasps. He now dictates the armies located there.'
'How dare he betray his leader! On what logic does he justify this treachery?'
'He proclaims that you helped to take Megatron's life at Mission City. He also says Cybertron can only be ruled by those truly loyal to Megatron. He states that no seeker can command a planet because they lack the loyalty to any real leader. He has turned the tides on us, Lord Starscream. It is only a matter of time before he brings his armies here to revive Megatron. Ramjet — '
'How could you let this happen, Thundercracker?!'
'I did not know where you were located milord; so when Shockwave threatened to offline you, I assumed he you in his clutches; even though I know it is illogical for you to lose to him . . . I always think of your safety first, brother.'
'No matter, I will clean up this mess you have created, Thundercracker; for I may have stumbled upon one of our greatest tools against the autobots.'
'I look forward to seeing this tool in person when you return. How long till you will return with this new object?'
'Soon, Thundercracker. I will be commanding the decepticon army within a month's time.'
'Should I assemble your forces, Lord Starscream?'
'No, we will have the upper hand by letting me remain 'dead' to Shockwave. I want him to wallow in his own downfall as he dies; experience the same shame he had to put me through. I want you to return to Iapetus before Shockwave gets the bright idea to check for Frenzy's head there. Take Barricade with you. He is to assume the role of guard over the protoforms until I return.'
'And what of Jetfire, sir? He is not loyal to our cause, and I fear he will soon defect to the autobots. His scientific nature is beginning to get the best of him.'
'He will be dealt with in due time. For now, keep out of sight of any decepticons. If they should inquire your actions . . . tell them that you have orders from Megatron to preserve the protoforms until they can safely be returned to Cybertron for development.'
'As you command, Lord Starscream.'
The line died, leaving Starscream a moment to cherish the knowledge that at least one of his brothers would always be loyal to him. He placed the phone within his cockpit, and tightly sealed the chamber. The seeker looked to the ceiling, imagining that the Cybertron sky loomed overhead instead of a dismal concrete roofing. 'I've come too far to lose it now, Primus,' he thought. Starscream could hear the sound of JEtfire's voice echoing off the walls as he spoke to Prime. He closed his optics as weary feelings settled on his spark. The mech's head fell low and placed a hand over his head. 'If I die, then do all my bonds die with me?' he contemplated. 'After all, I was dead. I shouldn't have to keep those vows.' It was a poor attempt at lying to himself, and the pit hidden deep within the confines of his spark radiated with a sour and guilty feeling.
"Let me speak to him." Prime's words reached his audio sensors, but the 'con didn't stir. He was vaguely aware of the autobot's presence as he approached him. "Can I have some privacy, Jetfire?" The scientists agreed, and he was heard walking away without any lashes or retorts. Optimus stared at the seeker with dull eyes. "I've seen that face before," he stated bluntly. Starscream glanced his direction, but made no effort to respond. "You're going to do something bad."
"Am I truly that easy to read?" the 'con inquired bitterly.
"No," the 'bot replied. "But I try to learn from my mistakes."
"Is that all I am to you?" Starscream retorted. "A mistake?" Optimus was solemn as he held his jaw tightly together. He straightened himself out as his systems warmed with agitation. "I'm not the mistake here. That title belongs to you."
"That is a title that only history can bestow, Starscream," the mech answered coolly. There was pause in his speech; a clear sign that Optimus was sorting through his thoughts and emotions. "We have our differences, Starscream but – " The seeker sneered, finding his statement redundant. "But we also have our similarities." The 'con stared intently at him, curious as to what the autobot leader was contemplating. "I need not state what we share in common, but I am hopeful that you may listen to what I have to say."
"I may be your prisoner, but I am not about to give up my beliefs and promises," he stated coldly. "I'm not that hallow, Optimus."
"I know, Starscream . . . " He looked to the doorway. "I know . . ." The 'bot turned back to the seeker. "You have noble intentions, but you have betrayed your oath to protect Cybertron. I wa – "
"I have betrayed no oath!" Starscream barked angrily. His optics gleamed brighter with wrath. "I have protected our home since before this catastrophe! It is you who would prefer us to have perished at the hands of the Unknown." He leaned dangerously forward, and gravity threatened to pull him down if he moved another decimeter. "These are the exact words that cause you to be seen as such an ignorant sentient, Optimus."
"I'm not here to make war," the autobot reassured sternly. He took a deep breath, trying to gather his composure. He would not admit aloud to the others that he shared the same sinful feelings towards the seeker. Optimus even contemplated that he harbored more than his comrades because (from his analysis) he was the one responsible for the incident in the beginning. Unlike Megatron who declared war with the autobots because they were a nuisance, Starscream had made his war with the autobots a personal agenda. "I want you to consider the options I am going to give you, Starscream."
The seeker raised his head civilly. A more political aspect grasped the edges of his optics, but a calculating smirk pulled at his lips. This was the situation that he both despised and loved. "You aren't an innocent 'bot, Optimus. You must surely know this."
He nodded subtly, not about to say it aloud. "I want you to let Jetfire analyze your memory processor and made a copy of the information; in exchange, I will have my medical officer restore basic functions to your legs and arm. Or you may hand over the protoforms and Frenzy's head on the Nemesis in exchange for your freedom. You also have the option to deny the opportunities I have given you if you wish to remain a prisoner of war to us."
"I will never hand over the protoforms," he established firmly. "That was an illogical trade to propose."
"It was worth proposing at the very least," Optimus countered. He stood more upright as he looked at the seeker as if he were but a child. "Take as much time as you need to decide, Starscream. I don't want you to end up regretting whatever option you chose to take."
"I do not regret anything I do," he corrected promptly. An insulted tone clung to his voice as it eerily vibrated off the walls. "Because unlike you, everything I do will get me one step closer to my goal. All those "mistakes" were simply the universe's ways of pointing me towards my goal. And I know in the end I will be victorious. And as long as I am victorious, then I have nothing to regret."
Optimus placed his hands behind his back. "Such confidence is deadly, Starscream," the 'bot informed. "The fallen had the same state of mind. Will you follow his path to death?"
Starscream gave a peculiar, alien mien to Optimus. "You don't understand," he stated simply. "I will never die. I will live on forever as the greatest Cybertronian to exist. Your faction will come to love me before you are even dead. Once you see what I have plan, then you will understand why I do the things I do."
"You cannot justify the countless murders you have committed by this plan," Optimus retorted. Anger flushed his voice, and for the first time in a millennia his blue optics shimmered with deep, stomach churning loathing. "And you know in your spark it cannot be justified."
"When I'm done, I will not be a murderer," Starscream spat. "I will the savior Cybertron has desperately needed. All those lives that have been lost will be saved."
The autobot leader turned away, knowing the seeker would never submit in verbal combat. He footsteps slowed as he crossed the boundary between the room and the hallway. Optimus raised his head, looking to the ceiling as if he had plucked the answer out of thin air. "You are the reason why hell is paved in good intentions," he stated fluently, and without any hesitation. The seeker's eyes critically glared at the fleeting figure of Optimus as he left.
Starscream brought his hand to his chest, blandly tapping his three middle fingers to the microscopic rhythm of his spark. The mech deactivated his optics and audio sensors, leaving him with a vague sense of peacefulness within his processors. He could detect the minute pulses dispersing through his core circuits. It was hard for the seeker to believe that only a couple human days ago he had been officially declared dead. He let out insecure breath of air. "I, Starscream, Lord of Cybertron, High Aerial Decepticon Commander, and defender of Cybertron," the seeker muttered too softly for eavesdropping audio sensors. "Hereby pledge my new found life to the honor of bravely guarding Cybertron against her foreign and domestic enemies. I will serve for the good of the people until I am no longer able to fulfill my duty to the fullest efficiency possible or am no longer needed to guard Cybertron and her offspring. To this I pledge my spark to, now and forever." His head drooped to his chest as he gripped his cockpit with his hand. "May Primus forgive me for what I must do."