Right Of Succession
Chapter Four.
A/N: Apologies for the mess-up when I accidentally reposted Chap one as Chap: 5. Also, apologies for the shortness of this chapter: it seemed like a natural place to end it.
The silence that followed Sam's announcement was almost total, as every optic (and Mikaela's pair of eyes) were fixed on him. After a few seconds, Sam began to get worried. He had never been stared at so completely in his entire life.
It was Jazz who broke the tension, in a pretty dramatic fashion.
He burst out laughing, literally falling to the ground with his mirth. His reaction set the Twins to sniggering on each other's shoulders, but the first person to actually speak coherently was Ironhide, who's faceplates were fixed in an expression halfway between astonishment and disbelief.
"Yer what?" he asked. Sam didn't dignify that by repeating his statement, just looked as embarrassed as a thirty-plus-foot mech could, spreading his hands and looking imploringly at Optimus.
"A leadership challenge." Optimus stated. "One you did not even imagine might end up with this result. Do not worry, Sam, you were not to know."
"He didn't have ter accept!" Ironhide said in disgust. "So, Sparkhands, yer've got a group of slaggers and scum at yer beck and call. What are yer gonna do with 'em?"
"Easy, Ironhide." Said Optimus. "He was taken by surprise, we've all made mistakes when that has happened."
"Actually, this could be used to our advantage." mused Prowl. "It couldn't be done directly, of course, Sparkhands here would have to be as devious as they are, but he might be able to ease up the pressure on both us and the humans."
Every optic turned his way.
"I think I can see what you are saying, Prowl, but please expand upon your comments for us all." Optimus said.
"Listen." stated Prowl, looking at Ironhide although he was addressing everybody. "We know the Decepticons are low on fuel and have to raid human installations, and don't really care about human casualties. We all know that if Sparkhands went out and straight-out told them to stop raiding and to make peace with us, he'd have a mass walkout on his hands at best. Which would solve his problem, but would put everybody back at square one. At worst he could provoke another challenge, against him, or even an assassination attempt, and worst-case scenario, he would lose and we'd still be back at square one minus Sparkhands." He paused to let the impact of his words sink in, and then continued.
"However, what if Sparkhands – oh this is confusing, I'm calling him Sam, we all know who we're talking about - goes back to the Decepticons, as their leader, and suggests, say, rather than attacking a fully-manned fuel depot, that they attack an unmanned station, and rather than blast it and take, they fiddle the computers and siphon it off. He could suggest that that would help them keep a lower profile and get them the fuel they need. He doesn't need to mention that it would keep human casualties down to minimum. That's just one example of several that I could give. All Sam needs to do is couch suggestions that would be beneficial to humans, or us, or both, in their sort of language, or make them think that it was their idea. Unfortunately he can't be straightforward about it, but if he can be as cunning as they are, this could actually be an advantage to us all.
Ironhide was getting a cunning glint in his eye as Prowl's words sank in.
"Yeh mean Sam might be able to use his position to keep them under some sorta control? Of course, it don't mean that they'll be totally controlled, but it would haveta be better than the alternative – the Decepticons ruled by Screamer." He said the last name in a disparaging tone.
"Precisely." said Prowl. He turned to Sam.
"When Soundwave asked for orders, did you give him any?" he asked.
"Yeah…I told them to go off, set up a base, and wait for me." Sam said.
"There! Unless they are obvious about getting their base – and there's no reason they should be, they can just find an abandoned building, barn or hangar, they won't WANT to draw attention to the location of their base – then they will probably be out of mischief for the best part of a week or so, We can use that week to see what we can do to help Sam out – make suggestions and look for things he can offer his new troops, and you, Optimus, can advise Sam on what makes a good leader."
"I have a bit of an idea anyway, but I need to talk to the Decepticons first and find out of my suspicion is right." Sam said. "I'll need your help for it, Ratchet. However, there is a problem that we need to address. I think if I continue to associate with you, the Decepticons are going to be suspicious of my methods and motives. I don't want them to see me as an Autobot puppet."
Optimus frowned. "I think you could be right, Sam." he said. "We need to find a solution to this before you go back."
Sam smiled.
"I have an idea about that already, and that is to make sure that I have a falling-out with you – perhaps over this very issue." he said.
"Make sure it's a bit public – shout and gesture as you leave the Base, just in case one of the other Decepticons is watching, then send an angry comm to one of the Decepticons saying you're on your way back, but don't explain why till you get back." Prowl suggested. "Work yourself up into a real torque on the way, and explain how you've 'fallen out' with us – we can work on the story together before you go. Then they should be less suspicious that you are doing things at our bidding."
"What was it you wanted my help with, Sparkhands?" asked Ratchet.
Sam explained to Ratchet who nodded.
"Well, I certainly have no objections, and that's the first way you can 'gain your revenge on us,' Sparkhands." Ratchet said, smiling.
"You can arrange for me to be kidnapped..."