Right Of Succession.
Epilogue.
A/N: Thanks to KDZeal for beta-ing this chapter for me.
There was a heavy silence after Soundwave's proclamation, broken by Sparkhands' "What?" a moment later. Whatever Sparkhands had expected, Soundwave's statement was obviously not it.
"MECHS-DEMAND-CEASEFIRE. RESPONSE-REQUIRED." Soundwave repeated.
"Why do you want this now?" he asked, nonplussed.
"Leader Sparkhands, what is this war for anymore? Does it have any real purpose now that the AllSpark as an artefact is gone and its powers are now wielded by yourself?" Starscream was unconsciously cringing, obviously well aware of how powerful Sparkhands was, after all he had already killed Starscream in the leadership duel.
Sparkhands' processors were working on overdrive at that moment. He had been wondering how to pitch the idea of some sort of ceasefire to the Decepticons without seeming to be trying to change them or trick them. As it happened, it seemed they had worked things out for themselves. Sparkhands knew he would have to play this carefully. If he seemed too eager, they might feel manipulated, yet if he seemed doubtful for too long, it might provoke them to revolt.
"A ceasefire?" he repeated. "Would it be a permanent one or a temporary one? Would it be with the Autobots or the humans? If you can explain this to me in a way I can understand, let me see where you're coming from, I can make an informed decision." He hoped he had struck the right balance: considering it but wanting to know more. Most importantly, he was interested in finding out why they wanted this ceasefire now, and why they wanted it so badly that they chose to demand it rather than request it.
"We've discussed this, and think that a temporary ceasefire could be called, and that could be used to discuss and hopefully agree a more permanent truce between, not just us Decepticons and the Autobots, but their squishy allies too." Starscream stated. "It is no good having a ceasefire with the Autobots if we are still at war with the humans they swear to protect."
Sparkhands nodded. "That would make sense," he agreed. "So what led you to this decision, and why?" he asked, shifting his weight to stand in a more relaxed pose, hoping to ease the tension in the room.
"PRIORITIES-CHANGED," stated Soundwave.
"Sparkhands, as I understand it, this war of ours is founded only on revenge as it stands now," Starscream stated. "I for one do not wish to fight a war that, if it continues, will involve our sparklings, for that reason alone. In fact, I will not," he said, standing straighter and trying to steady the tremor of his voice. "We have discussed this with the other new Creators and we are in accord over this. I do not want to see my sparkling wing-ruined and going insane from grounding, or shot out of the sky and killed, for a war whose only basis is old hatreds and disputes argued by mechs who are mostly gone to rust by now."
"I see," Sparkhands said, shifting his arms to a more relaxed position. "You seem to have this all worked out and well-planned. You say you and the others have had discussions about it? So how long have you been plotting against me?" he asked in an easy tone of voice, forming his derma into a smile to take the sting of the accusation from his words.
"We weren't plotting against you, Sparkhands, we were merely discussing the future, and where our sparklings would fit into it," the Seeker told him, red optics pleading for understanding. "We all came to agree that we don't want our sparklings to grow up to fight in a war that has no real cause, no real reward, and that started before they were even thought of!"
"Which to me makes perfect sense, Starscream, Soundwave." Sparkhands said. "My mother – one of my Creators – told me that when you have children – sparklings – your priorities change, and that things that used to rule your entire life up until then are suddenly much less important to you, and that your children have to be factored into almost every decision you make from that moment on."
Starscream nodded and looked about to speak again, but Sparkhands had two further concerns, and he tackled them together.
"What about those without sparklings? Have they agreed to this? And what if new Decepticons turn up? Ground troops and flyers? Will they hold to the ceasefire?"
"AFFIRMATIVE. DROPKICK-SWINDLE-PAYLOAD-AGREED." stated Soundwave.
"Any fliers, Seekers or otherwise, will defer to me, or face you in battle," Starscream said, some of his original haughty manner returning to his vocal tone. "If they have an issue with your leadership, they will have to fight you for it, and I will make very certain that I warn them that you once killed me. You brought me back to life, but I am not to know if you will be so lenient on them." The Seeker grinned wolfishly.
"STARSCREAM'S-SOLUTION: LOGICAL AND ADAPTABLE. ALL-NEW-ARRIVALS WARNED," Soundwave stated. "RESPONSE-TO-DEMAND?" Sparkhands looked at him.
"Demand accepted," he stated. "Send in Barricade: I have a task to assign to him."
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"Chief negotiator? Me?" Barricade asked in disbelief. "Why me? I'm a soldier, not a diplomat!"
"Because I know that you won't back down on anything you feel is essential for this ceasefire to work, and you've got a Sparkling yourself," Sparkhands explained. He didn't explain that Ratchet would understand his choice too, and his own gentle manner would likely temper the discussion as much as Barricade's fierce discussion style would keep it from slowing or stalling. In temperament the two mechs were complete opposites, but Sparkhands felt it would be beneficial to have both of their styles balanced against each other at the negotiations. He suspected that with Barricade involved, 'boring' would not be a word anyone could use to describe the talks.
"What about one of the Seekers? Couldn't one of them take on the role?" Sparkhands shook his head.
"Starscream has his duties as my second, if I sent Skywarp the other Creators will revolt at my sending away the best Sparkling-sitter on the base, and Thundercracker's attitude towards non-flyers will kill the negotiations before they begin. No, Barricade, I want to send who I feel is the best mech for the job, and for reasons I have just outlined, I think that that is you. If you reject the job I will not punish you, but I will be disappointed that you have so little faith in my estimation of your abilities."
"Oh all right." Barricade said. "If you think I'm the best one for the job, I will do it. If it goes wrong though, you take the blame for your assigning me. Can I go now?"
"Yes." Sparkhands said. As he listened to Barricade stamp off, he knew that once he'd gotten over the shock and surprise, Barricade would apply himself with as much zeal to this task as he did any other.
He walked over to the communications console and opened a channel to the Autobot base. It was answered by a startled-looking Mirage.
"Ah, Mirage, it's Sparkhands here. Can you put the Prime on? I want to discuss a temporary ceasefire. Once that is in place, my negotiator will be dispatched to help broker a more permanent one."
As Mirage turned to call Optimus to the room, Sparkhands smiled. He supposed he could warn them about his choice of negotiator, but then that would spoil it for Barricade.