Chapter 15

Patience was not something that came naturally to Starscream. In fact, not only did he possess hardly any, but saw it as a serious character flaw most of the time. Why wait passively when you can act, taking what is yours in the moment? Besides, there was always a danger that patience could be seen as reluctance, and reluctance in turn could almost certainly be viewed as weakness. And weakness was not tolerated in any form amongst the decepticons.

But as he stood being attended to by his minicons, watching the bustle preluding their departure throughout the base, he had to admit that all this had been the result of patience. Waiting, watching, planning. Throughout Starscream's long life, littered with failed attempts to grasp leadership, Megatron had countlessly berated him for his lack of patience, and rashness. He allowed himself a grim smirk at the irony- by taking Megatron's advice on board, he was now closer than he'd ever come before to toppling him once and for all.
Megatron had also frequently scoffed that Starscream didn't have what it took to be a leader. It was true that Megatron had the power to rally others- he was a formidable orator, and combined with his superior strength and ruthlessness, this had ensured the shadow of his reign had stretched long, across the galaxies, unchallenged.

Until now.

Starscream smiled again. He hadn't even needed to try and rally those around him to his cause. Megatron had built his own gallows, to coin a human phrase, these last few earth months. After the initial euphoria surrounding the autobot's supposed defeat and the invasion of Earth- watching the world's leaders crumble and beg for mercy, devastating all the major cities- Megatron's announcement that they were all staying for good, that earth was to be more then just a slave colony and energy resource, their new home- this had spawned shock and outrage amongst the decepticon ranks. But no one felt the sting of betrayal more than Starscream.

For as far as he was concerned, the desertion of Cybertron was betrayal. Betrayal of their noble planet. As the months had passed, he watched as discontent began to corrode at the decepticon forces like rust. A bitter word here, a sly remark there… Starscream planted tiny seeds of discord and watched them grow with satisfaction. For he possessed useful skills of his own- not least the ability to mess with minds and mould them to his whim- planting terror, anger, confusion… whatever emotion he wanted, with the right nudge, and proper persuasion… this served him well with friend and foe alike.

Then there was Alexis.

Others may well find themselves troubled and come to doubt themselves upon forming such an unconventional relationship. But Starscream never doubted himself. He never spent time questioning his actions, or why he thought and felt as he did. True, he had never before formed such a bond, especially with a mere human. He had thought all humans worthless and insignificant, he still did.

But her… the thought of her belonging to him, and him alone, filled him with dark pleasure, the like of which he had never known. At first, to have her as an unwilling captive had been delicious enough in itself. He had not expected more. The fear and defeat in her eyes when he had first ensnared her sustained him like the sweetest energon. But as time had moved on, and she had come to give him her co-operation, her… friendship… this was yet sweeter. How unexpected, and yet how infinitely delectable, to have her by his side. Oh, there were certain things he was hiding from her… but they were for her own good. He never wanted her to leave him. He wanted no one else to touch her or harm her- be it human or transformer. She was his.

Thundercracker approached, his blue armour gleaming proudly, and Starscream was roused back to the present. "Good news," he said. "Soundwave has permitted Rumble to be sent, with Skywarp. I have sent them the co-ordinates for the cave. They should be joining us there. Skywarp is en route now from North America. We can trust him. He has been briefed on everything happening here and is as committed to your goal as I."

"Of course he is," replied Starscream smoothly. "He knows what is to be gained when I emerge the victor. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I will be glad to see that bolt-bucket again when he arrives. The news on Rumble is also good. His powers will be most useful in the cave."

"And we get to fly, although, not for long, this cursed island is so small," grumbled Thundercracker. "How can a 'con properly stretch his wings on this rock, hmm?"

"You have permission to take a creative route, if you wish," declared Starscream graciously. "I know I shall be…"

Thundercracker grinned mischievously. Starscream had relayed his conversation with Alexis to him earlier. "Gonna show her your skills, Screamer?"

Right on cue, Alexis appeared in the doorway. She had gone to dress herself, and now wandered in. She caught sight of the grinning seekers watching her, and a small wary smile appeared on her face.

"What?" she said suspiciously. "What have you been saying?"

"Nothing," Thundercracker answered innocently. "Isn't that right, Starscream?"

Starscream smiled wider when he saw her obvious reluctance to come further forward. "Time to fly. Come on, Alexis…"

She stepped forward tentatively. "Only if you promise not to..."

"Not to what?"

"Stop it! You know!" she actually stamped a foot in frustration at his evasiveness, but she was laughing. "Not to be… mean… up there…"

"I make no such promise." Starscream replied devilishly, his optics glittering with humour. "Besides, I thought you boasted to me that you have a robust temperament for flight…"

"I did say that, didn't I... well, it's true!" she said defiantly. She moved forward, head held high, still smiling. "So I suppose it makes no difference to me what you do..."

Dirge had appeared whilst they had been speaking. He nodded to the seekers, and transformed into his flight mode. The minicons and Frenzy climbed on board- (Frenzy was shaking his head muzzily and wincing). As Alexis approached, Starscream transformed, and his cockpit opened, ready for her. Thundercracker held out a hand, and she got on, then daintily stepped down into the cockpit. Ahead of them, the huge doors were opening, filling the hallway with daylight. Alexis squinted up at Thundercracker as her eyes adjusted.

"So, where's my free magazine? And the safety leaflet? Parachute? Do I get a drink or an in-flight film?" She raised her voice slightly to make sure Starscream would hear. "After all, I'm probably going to get really bored on this flight…"

Thundercracker laughed. Starscream's only answer was the straps slithering across her and fastening themselves firmly, tightening around her. The cockpit slowly closed, wrapping her in a blanket of silence.

"I would hate for you to be bored, dear Alexis." His voice was all around her, filled with amusement and anticipation.

She laughed. "Better do your best to keep me entertained then Starscream."

"As you wish."

Her heart rate picked up speed as Starscream began to taxi towards the open doors. She had the annoying notion that he could tell from in here. Fighting to keep her voice neutral, she added: "And keep me safe."

His tone became serious then, and his voice reverberated in the cockpit, the intensity of it sending shivers down her back.

"You have never been safer in your entire life."

Before she could respond, she was slammed back into the seat, pinned there as if by Starscream's hand, the base walls retreated past her in a blur and were replaced by sky, there was a swooping sensation in her stomach and her breath caught in her throat; next thing she knew the entire horizon tilted alarmingly- she was looking down to her right on a patchwork blanket made of varying green squares, the squares were shrinking, shrinking, shrinking… within seconds the base was gone, left behind…

"Wow," she squeaked quietly in spite of herself, still glued to the seat.

A chuckle rang through the cockpit. "And how was that for your first take-off?"

She waited a few seconds before replying, recovering her composure as best she could. "Huh? What? Sorry, I wasn't really paying attention…"

He caught the teasing note of faux boredom in her voice, goading him and delighting him simultaneously. Next second she was thrown back yet again, unable to move even a finger, as the sky shot past her with unimaginable speed. Then the skyline tilted three hundred and sixty degrees, her eyes followed as one hypnotized, there was no looking away… three or four times they spun, and then she squeezed her eyes shut, listening to the frantic pounding of her heart and her gasps for breath.

"I trust I have your attention now…"

"That's all you've got is it?" she gasped with bravado she definitely didn't feel, whilst her mind screamed shut up shut up shut up…

They were soaring higher and higher, the skies were murky grey, and they suddenly entered a foggy soup, still climbing… they burst through the clouds, into brilliant sunlight. She strained forward at the harness and stared in wonder at the scene around her- the tops of the clouds towered around them like giant piles of ice cream or bath foam, deceptively solid looking, and above her, the blue heavens reared like the roof of the most beautiful of cathedrals.

They stayed up there for a while, Starscream cutting a swathe through the tips of the gathered clouds. Alexis thought she would never tire of looking around her, at the dazzling blue sky, the clouds, and the occasional snatched glimpse of land below. They were alone- Thundercracker and Dirge must have taken a different path. Very slowly, she felt the tension in her body subside, and relaxed into the seat, staying quiet.

But Starscream wasn't planning on letting her relax for long. He had silently observed her enjoying the view for a while, feeling her snuggled in the seat, her chest heaving under it's restraints. Then slowly she had indeed relaxed, he could sense her muscles slackening, feel her heartbeat slow… a silent snigger shook his systems…

Now…

He banked sharply and they were shooting upwards again, as she bit back a scream and clenched her fists… her head felt light and she fought against the dizziness… she barely heard Starscream's laughter all around her…

"Impressed with my incredible power, Alexis? There are none who can match me in the skies!"

She couldn't help but let forth a laugh at his towering arrogance, even as the nausea and G-force threatened to overwhelm her… clenching her teeth and screwing up her face, she gathered her courage as the cockpit grew colder, and colder, and the sky began to turn an ominous deeper blue… the clouds were far, far below them now…

"I've been on children's roundabouts in the park that were scarier than this…" she gasped.

"Oh really…"

"Yep…"

He felt her body grow limp as she finally succumbed and passed out. Running a quick scan, he chuckled mischievously, and turned, swooping deftly down towards the ground once more, where the others were waiting…

Thundercracker looked about him with a grudging appreciation as they waited. This country was small and un-impressive, but it had it's moments. They had landed on a hill overlooking a village, Castleton he presumed, as long as Alexis had indeed got it right. In front of him, more or less at the top of the hill sat a stone ruin. He scanned it idly for want of anything else to do, ascertaining it's age and structure. The landscape, more rugged and rocky up in this part of the UK, swooped away, shrouded in faint mist. It was drizzling slightly. Dirge circled overhead, keeping watch. The minicons and Frenzy tried to gain shelter as best they could from the moisture, huddling around his legs.

Presently the sound of Starscream's engines roared overhead, and he transformed and landed deftly in front of Thundercracker, reaching for Alexis as he did so. She lay limp in his hands, but soon stirred, looking disorientated, reaching up to rub her head.

Thundercracker leaned forward, chuckling. "Nice flight?"

She smiled back, tossing her head, a movement that would not be out of place coming from Starscream. "So-so," she said, casually. "As you can see, I had a nap to pass the time."

Starscream set her down and she strutted off his palm, promptly veering dizzily to the side and falling over.

Starscream laughed jeeringly, and she looked up, crossly. "Hey! I could have thrown up in there, all over you, but graciously I held it in. OK?"

Starscream stopped laughing abruptly, and Thundercracker grimaced. "Eurgh. Organic fluids… nice…"

Alexis set off at run down the hill, once her balance had returned, ecstatic to be somewhere new and out in the open after so many weeks locked up. The minicons and Frenzy moved off with her, the other three hung back on the hill, Starscream casting annoyed glances up the rainclouds, he hated the feel of the rain. They waited. Thundercracker turned to Starscream.

"So… flew clear of the cities then?"

"The clouds took care of that," answered Starscream. "It wouldn't do to have Alexis… upset. After all, none of them will look quite how she remembered before our race arrived."

"That's an understatement."

Thundercracker stared after the girl as she disappeared down the hill with the others. He turned to Starscream hesitantly, debating within himself whether or not to speak. "How long do you think…"

But Starscream cut him off with a raised hand, frowning as a link opened, and a voice growled in his head. A voice he knew only too well…

//"Starscream…"//

"Megatron. What an honour to speak with you after so long…"

Megatron grunted. //"Report on your progress."//

"Everything is going according to your schedule, mighty leader. Why, if you…"

Megatron cut him off. //"Tell me again exactly why you need reinforcements in the form of Rumble, Starscream? Soundwave is not happy at having to loan you two of his casseticons… You had better give me a good reason…"//

"But of course," replied Starscream smoothly. "I merely noticed, after having nearly carried out the conversion on this island, some Fluorite deposits in the northern hills. Rumble is needed to help us extract it. Shockwave would no doubt find a use for it. He expressed interest…"

//"I see."// Megatron growled, seemingly satisfied.

"You would be proud of me, leader, to see the work being carried out here, all to further glorify your illustrious reign," oozed Starscream. He was in full flow now, having honed the knack of stoking Megatron's ego to a fine art over the centuries. Megatron grunted again.

//"And what of the disappearance of Sideways, conveniently before he could report to me on your progress Starscream?"//

An unpleasant grin spread across the treacherous seeker's face. This could go one of two ways. The safe route, or a dangerous route. He knew the one he ought to pick. And promptly chose the other.

"I can throw some light on that matter, O leader," he replied. "You see, I killed Sideways."

There was a stunned hush as Megatron digested this shocking revelation. Starscream bent over with silent laughter at the vision of his leader's face at that exact moment. If only he could be there to savour it… beside him, Thundercracker stared, mouthing "Are you glitched??"

//"You did WHAT, Starscream? Are you mad?"// Megatron snarled dangerously. //"Whatever you have to say next had better be good…"//

"Come now Megatron, I don't know a single 'con who wouldn't want to kill that irritating slag-bucket, yourself included," replied Starscream amiably. "And I have several witnesses who heard him uttering seditious words about your own glorious character. I found his presence an insult to myself, and to you, Megatron. When he implied he intended to blacken my name in front of you, after all my hard work to please you, it was my duty to remove such a dangerous liability. And also…" he added casually, "…it was tremendous fun. Hopefully you can forgive me, leader."

Further silence whilst Megatron took in all that his Air Commander had said. Starscream smirked triumphantly. In telling Megatron the truth (albeit a warped truth), he had clearly stumped his leader, for how could Megatron now suspect him of ulterior motives?

//"There is no doubt he was an annoying half-wit excuse for circuitry,"// he grudgingly conceded finally. //"But that was not your call to make, Starscream. If, however, he was indeed unwise enough to question my orders... or perhaps he was merely preparing to report unfavourably upon you, Starscream? Primus forbid…"//

An ugly sneer pulled at Starscream's lips. "You will find nothing here for me to hide from you, Megatron," he said, just managing to keep his tone respectful. "I look forward to when you can honour me with a personal visit once more, to see the wondrous progress being made on this continent. You won't be disappointed…"

Megatron growled. //"If I am, you will know, Starscream."//

And he cut off. Starscream scowled, clenching his fists. Thundercracker stepped neatly to one side as he let out a yell of rage, raised an arm, and blasted a small huddle of trees, sending them bursting into flames. A terrified deer emerged and zig-zagged off down the hill. The outburst only made him feel slightly better.

"Let him come… I will put an end to him very soon, Thundercracker… what a glorious day that will be…"

Just then they were interrupted by Dirge landing before them, transforming and bowing to Starscream "Skywarp approaches," he said.

Alexis, Frenzy and the minicons moved through the village, which looked deserted. She saw no other humans, and wondered how many places like this in the world now stood empty. Cars sat abandoned, the paintwork dull, covered in ancient leaves. Already the signs of decay were creeping in –weeds springing up in the cracks in the road, and the pavements. Houses stood drab and dark. Doors gaped like mouths. She had contemplated going in to have a look inside them- and immediately felt ashamed of the thought. But she was glad to be in the open, even in the rain. Who'd have thought she would come to view a simple thing like being outdoors as a rare treat?

The sight of the dead, dark streets made her feel strange. It was almost as if the last few weeks in the base had been a dream- where she'd been able to find some comfort, even, dare she think it, a smidgen of… happiness? Or simply a state of equilibrium, if nothing else. Removed from her kind, and the harsh realities of surviving in this broken world, under the protection and favour of one of the most feared beings in the universe.

But the state of the village brought back an uncomfortable reminder, one that she couldn't push aside. Starscream caused this. Thundercracker did. Throughout the world. They all did.

Am I a traitor, for falling in with them? Living with them, laughing with them? Thundercracker's flippant remark reared up from the back of her mind- 'Nice work there, Little Decepticon…' She shuddered miserably. But then she remembered.

No. I'm doing this for these people. Whoever lived here, played here, worked here, wherever they are now, I'm doing it for them. And millions like them. We find this weapon for Starscream, he brings down Megatron, and he leads them all home.

She stamped through a puddle, the exuberant action restoring some of her resolve and she began to feel better. She tugged her collar up around her neck, lifted her face to the heavens and caught raindrops on her tongue, savouring the wind, cold as it was, and the feeling of the drops on her face.

"Eurgh, can you not, please?"

Frenzy shook his leg irritably where Alexis had splashed some mud on it. He couldn't fathom how she could take such obvious delight in these damp conditions. She giggled. "It won't hurt you, wimp."

"I don't care, it's diiis-gusting…"

"Listen, I bet I can make an echo…" she filled her lungs and shouted as loud as she could. "Aaa-leeee-xissss!!!!" She smiled when her name reverberated off of the silent hills rearing around them. The minicons beeped softly and their heads turned, following the echo. Frenzy clutched his head and grimaced. "Stop. Making. Loud. Noises."

"Still hungover?" she chirped.

"Yeah… and I don't get how you aren't either," he grumbled.

"Oh, er… I am. Was. Sooo hungover. Good thing we didn't get caught eh?"

She looked up at the bend in the road. "I think we're nearly there…"

The decepticons, now four in number, shot down from the hill and transformed over the other side of the village, in an open tarmac space in front of a small building, nestled into a sloping hill. Frenzy, Alexis and the minicons sat in a row, waiting, near the door to the cavern. Alexis looked up at the new arrivals- yet another jet, purple and black, and from his cockpit he fished a diminutive figure, whom he placed on the ground. It looked round indifferently at the landscape, then spied Frenzy. It let out a rasping yell and dashed towards him.

"Frenzy! Is that you, you filthy slag-sucker?"

"Rumble! You lame-o scrap-cube!"

The two of them crashed into one another, falling to the ground in a tackle, punching each other enthusiastically.

"Miss me?"

"Like I miss cosmic pox, chump!"

"Oh yeah?"

Eventually they rose to their feet, still chuckling. The one called Rumble caught sight of Alexis.

"Heeey! A fleshy! I saw her first!" He stalked towards her. She backed away, raising her hands to protect herself… but Frenzy came to her rescue. He grabbed his brother's shoulder.

"Woah woah woah. Unless you wanna get fried by Screamer, don't touch her. This is Alexis. She's OK, she's with us."

Rumble squinted at her, stepping closer. He reached out a metal arm, prodding her rudely. "Huh? Really? What is she, a slave?"

"No," said Frenzy. Alexis beamed at him gratefully.

"She's Starscream's pet," he finished helpfully. Her face darkened.

"Hey! I'm not his… oh, never mind…"

Shadows fell over them and they looked up to see Starscream, Thundercracker and the third jet standing over them. Dirge was now circling the area above them once more.

"Enough chatting! You're here to work," snarled Starscream. "Go into the cavern and find the Requiem Blaster. The minicons will be able to help you. When you find it, retrieve it, don't damage it." His gaze moved to Alexis. "Alexis. Can you remember your way around the cavern?"

"I… think so… there's about seven separate caves down there, connected by a passage."

He nodded. "I'm picking up some sort of signature… this is definitely the place…"

Alexis looked over to the small building marking the entrance. "We just need to get inside…"

"Of course." Starscream gestured to the purple jet. "Skywarp. Would you?"

"With pleasure!" The purple 'con grinned, and raised his weapon in the direction of the building. The casseticons sniggered and ran clear. Alexis raised her hands. "Hang on! Wait…"

Then she ducked, arms over her head, as a massive explosion rocked the hillside. The echoes from the blast rang through the hills for miles around. Alexis stood up gingerly and through the smoke she saw a gaping hole, the small building completely gone, piles of rocks partly concealing a dark opening in the hill.

She sighed. "Bunch of trigger happy… What I meant was, maybe Frenzy could force the door. Not obliterate the entire entrance! Was that really necessary?"

"Necessary?" Skywarp leaned down. "Maybe not, fleshling, but it was fun!" He straightened up and blew the smoke from his gun conceitedly.

'Right…" she began to pick her away over the rubble, towards the hole. Rumble, Frenzy and the minicons followed. As she got to the lip of the hole, Starscream leaned down, until his face was in front of the entrance. His optics lit the sloping passage, showing boulders strewn over steps leading down into blackness.

"Be careful in there," he said. "I don't want you damaged."

"I promise," she answered. She looked into his face, captured in those flaming eyes. "What… does this thing look like?"

"I don't know," he replied softly. A smile curled at his mouth. "But it is said to be the most powerful weapon in the universe."

"I had better be careful then."

He nodded. Then, reluctantly, he dragged his gaze away from her, to Rumble and Frenzy, who were sniggering and trying to push each other off the rocks.

"Mess around in there, and I'll have you melted down and drink your liquid remains," he growled menacingly, and they immediately saluted, leaping like goats past Alexis and down the shaft. "And look after Alexis!" he called as they vanished down the steps.

"Gotcha!" chirped Frenzy, his voice floating back up to them. "Oooo, it's dark down here…"

"Well duh, it's a cave, stupidhead…"

"Who are you calling a stupidhead, numb nuts?"

Alexis and Starscream exchanged a look. She sighed. "I hope we find it fast…"

"I hope that also."

His optics followed the minicons as they entered the cavern next. Alexis stepped down into the shaft, conscious of Starscream's gaze still on her, even as she turned the corner, and was swallowed by the dark.