Chapter 11
Hello Portland!
Starscream had never faced a firing squad, but he was sure it had to look like Megatron and Soundwave at that moment, a couple of real demons.
As he stood under the large threshold of the laboratory's entrance, he wondered if, before his transformation into a fleshling, he had also looked like that, a giant devil of red eyes and twisted smirk.
"Hey, Screamer!" Frenzy cheerfully greeted him, coming out from behind Soundwave. "I didn't recognize you with clothes."
"Ah, Starscream, how nice of you to honour us with your presence," Megatron said with his most ironic tone. "You didn't expect us to let you go without a farewell party, did you?"
"Of course not, especially considering how magnanimous you are, Megatron," Starscream replied with a sarcasm that rivalled his leader's.
"I'm glad you admit that," Megatron continued. "Now proceed to the table. You don't want to miss your present."
Starscream followed with his glance the direction that Megatron was pointing with his finger. From his spot on the floor it was impossible to see what was lying above, but he was sure it wouldn't be good for his health.
"I'll help you," Thundercracker said, kneeling.
"No!" Megatron firmly said. "Let him do it by himself."
Starscream grimaced. It seemed that the test had begun.
It wasn't because of obedience that he started to climb the metallic structure ahead of him. His life was at stake, as his was his trampled pride. A hit of energy inside his chest – which he would later know as adrenaline – momentarily defeated the heaviness in his head and helped him to find some of his former agility. Perhaps he had lost his ability to fly, but heights would never be his enemies. Despite his experience in climbing being almost nil, he managed to make his way up the workbench.
"Good, Screamer! You look like that Spider-Man dude… But I bet ya ten energon cubes that you fall before reachin' the top!" Frenzy cheered.
Megatron approached the workbench and folded his arms across his chest. "You are truly a crawling creature, Starscream. I wonder how many bones you will break when you fall, because you are going to fall… You know that, don't you? The other question is if you will survive…"
Starscream tried to close his audios. He had always relied only on himself to survive, and that wouldn't be the exception. Everybody was expecting him to fail, perhaps even his own wingmates, certainly tired of taking care of him. But he would show all of them that no obstacle would defeat him. He was Starscream, Second in Command and Aerospace Commander of the powerful Decepticon Empire, and he would continue being such even though he currently had another body and another name.
His legs and arms hurt at every mechano millimeter he gained, but his determination was stronger. Finally, his shivering hand reached the edge of the workbench and he pulled his body up, falling on the surface of the workbench with agitated pants.
"Not bad," Megatron said, disappointed that the young man hadn't crashed against the floor, "but any insect would have been capable of climbing a simple workbench."
Starscream was going to reply when he noticed the strange device that was laying on the surface. His latest acquaintances were there also, the shackles adapted to his new size. Whatever it was that was awaiting, it wouldn't be pleasant.
"What is this?" he asked.
Megatron made a contemptuous gesture with his arm. "Oh, nothing important, really. Take it as a small farewell present or, better said, my way to protect you."
"Protect me?"
"Of course. What kind of leader would I be if I wouldn't procure the welfare of my dear soldiers, even though in this case such soldier is a filthy organic beast?"
"How considerate of you, Megatron, but I insist in knowing what kind of… welfare you are thinking about."
"As I said, I won't allow you to carry any weapon or Cybertronian device on your little adventure, but still, we will need a way to contact you. An inner com link is the best option."
"I-inner?" Starscream repeated. That sounded very bad, considering he wasn't a robot anymore. "Inner as in… inside of me?"
"No, idiot, inner as above your horrendous head. Of course inside of you, Starscream! Don't challenge my patience!"
"B… but how…"
"We've already wasted too much time. The terrestrial night has started and you need to abandon the base immediately. Soundwave, start."
Starscream retreated but Soundwave grabbed him and easily laid him on the surface of the workbench.
"NO! What the slag are you going to do?!"
It was Megatron who answered, exhibiting his most evil smirk. "You'll see, Starscream. It seems that my initial appreciation of your new structure was precipitated. Soundwave made me understand that there are ways to make good use of your human condition. Your audio system, for example, is not as complex as the one of a Cybertronian, but it can lodge a com link that will allow me to transmit you my orders."
"Not to mention it will give you my location all the time, won't it leader?" a scared Starscream asked as his body was being shackled to the table. This time his neck and forehead were also restricted.
"Ah, an insignificant detail, but you are correct."
"Another insignificant detail would be that if I try to remove the com link, it will kill me," Starscream snorted.
Megatron smirked. "You know me too well, Starscream."
Starscream's eyes opened to their limits when the machine above his head began to move and Soundwave's shadow bathed him.
"Have you considered that my body perhaps won't resist this procedure? Megatron, wait!! I'm sure there are other methods…!"
"Of course I have considered it, buffoon, but don't worry. You should thank Soundwave for designing a microscopic com link in such a short lapse of time. It will perfectly mould with your inner ear and will have a reach of ten thousand mechano miles. And don't worry about the Autobots detecting it. It's not made of steel, but of that weak human material… plastic. As you can see, your safety was always our main concern."
"I don't think my safety was among your worries when you decided to perforate my audio sensors!!" Starscream cried to Megatron before turning his attention to Soundwave. "Wait, you freak!! Aren't you going to use a pain killer? You may kill me!!"
"Pain killers: useless. Subject must be conscious during the procedure," Soundwave intoned.
"Yes, to satisfy your sick taste of listening your victims scream!"
Soundwave' s optic visor shone in sadistic anticipation. "Affirmative."
"You pit spawned freaaaaaarrrhhhhhh!!!"
A thin cable began to enter through Starscream's right ear and made its way through his auditory canal.
"Stop it!!! You are killing me, you fragger!!"
From his spot behind Megatron, Thundercracker stepped forward. "Lord Megatron, please… this is too much…"
"Silence, Thundercracker. Soundwave knows perfectly what he's doing."
The blue Seeker bowed his head and returned to his place. Skywarp put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Starscream faced his torture with his eyes and fists clenched. Perhaps he would die there… perhaps everything had been a sadistic prank of Megatron's doing, giving him a hope whilst all the time his real intentions had been to crush him like an insect.
The pain was excruciating; worse, it seemed, then the pain he had experienced when Kickback had split his head open. But then again, perhaps his perceptions were being challenged too; perhaps things only seemed worse because of the strange heat now invading his body, the uncomfortable itch in the back of his throat...
And the sound...
The sound alone was enough to make his stomach turn. He was certain that the beast inflicting that torture would have revelled in the horrible scuffling noise, the thud of his ear drum bursting, the buzz of the com link...
Then, finally, it was over. The thin cable abandoned his ear and all that was left was a sharp pain and the sensation of warm liquid coming out of his ear.
"We have finished," Megatron said. "It wasn't that bad, was it Starscream?"
"You have balls, Screamer!" Frenzy laughed. "For a moment I thought you would pee your pants."
"Screw… you… Megatron…" the young man stammered, unable to repress the shivering of his body.
Megatron burst out in laughter. "Good! I'm glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humour. You are ready to face the humans now."
The shackles opened and Starscream got slowly on his knees, his hand attached to his sore right ear, which was still bleeding. The accursed red fluid started to sneak between his fingers, reminding him once again that the nightmare and reality were the same thing.
"Ready…?" he asked weakly. "Of course… I have never been so… ready…"
Now it was Skywarp who advanced a shy step toward his Supreme Commander. "Megatron, my leader… I think Starscream is not in a condition to initiate his mission yet."
The red optics that stared at Skywarp were as sharp as daggers. "What do you mean?"
"He… he's sick, sir."
"Sick?"
Skywarp nodded. "I think the human fuel he consumed caused some malfunction in his systems. His inner temperature has increased over the last few breems. Perhaps it would be prudent to wait a couple of cycles more…"
"Are you questioning my good judgement, Skywarp?"
"No! Of course not, Megatron!"
"Good, because I highly recommend you not to do it," Megatron spat, returning his attention to his humanized Second in Command. "You will leave now, Starscream. You have a human week to report the first advances of your mission. I will give you freedom to choose a course of action, but if you fail, I don't need to tell you that what happened today was paradise compared to the procedure I will personally execute in your pathetic body, is that understood?"
"Understood, yes…" Starscream said, feeling worse every moment.
"We are ready to deliver Starscream to the human area of Portland, Megatron," Thundercracker said, hoping to have the opportunity to have a last talk with his wing leader and to make sure he was left in some safe zone.
"No," Megatron replied. "Astrotrain will transport him. You two retire to your quarters and wait for my orders."
Thundercracker shot an alarmed glance to Skywarp and he received a similar response. Both Seekers retired, knowing they had everything in their hands to support their trine leader, and very aware that in all likeliness they wouldn't see him again.
-----------
Starscream watched as his two wingmates disappeared from view, taking all hope of salvation with them. He would never have admitted it, but he was grateful for their efforts over the last few breems, even if Skywarp's moronic comments did drive him to insanity... And to have both of them challenge Megatron on his behalf... As humiliating as it had been, at least they had some respect for him as their Air Commander...
For he was certain they weren't doing it out of friendship.
But the empty space in the corridor was soon refilled, this time by the imposing figure of Astrotrain.
"You sent for me, Lord Megatron?" the Triplechanger said as he entered the laboratory.
"Ahh, Astrotrain, perfect timing for a change. I have a mission for you, to rid the Nemesis of a little pest problem."
"What?" he asked, scratching his head.
"You are to deliver Starscream to the human settlement known as Portland. And make sure you dump him in an area free of any witnesses, we can't afford to have his cover blown before he has a chance to mess up his mission on his own."
At his Supreme Commander's words Astrotrain deviated his optics to the floor, noticing Starscream's presence for the first time. The Triplechanger's lips contorted into a grimace of disgust.
"But my leader," he said. "I've only just decontaminated myself from carrying him back to base after the mission failed! Please, let one of his wingmates do it, Seekers don't seem to have a problem with touching him!"
"Are you questioning my orders, Astrotrain? As much as I sympathise with your disgust, his wingmates cannot be trusted with such a task. I want him out of this base, now, Astrotrain."
Megatron's crimson optics narrowed with perverse pleasure as he watched Astrotrain reach down and pick up the squirming human. The look of revulsion on the Triplechanger's face was amusing, but it was the sight of his Second in Command floundering in total panic that made the silver tyrant feel a great sense of satisfaction.
"Put me down this instant, you fragging rust bucket!"
"Sorry, Screamer, but you heard my orders. I don't like this any more than you do...although I have to admit the thought of never seeing you again makes it worthwhile."
"The feeling is mutual there, Astrotrain! You will live to regret this!"
"Soundwave," Megatron spoke as he walked towards the exit, "make sure you establish the tracking signal once Starscream arrives in the human settlement."
"Affirmative."
"Oh, and Starscream," Megatron said as he turned back to face his soldiers. "You are hereby stripped of your rank; Soundwave will be my Second in Command and Thundercracker will be Aerospace Commander."
"But...what? No! Megatron, you can't do this to me! I am the only one worthy of those titles; I'm the only one capable of bringing glory to the Decepticon cause! Stripping me of my rank...it's another foolish step towards failure."
The imposing silver mech laughed then, his sheer enjoyment of the situation surpassing any pretensions of seriousness. "Ahh Starscream," he hissed cynically, "you never cease to amuse me. You really think you're irreplaceable, don't you? Well, I'm sorry to inform you that you are sorely mistaken. A fool like you has very little value in my army; replacing you brings no concern to me."
"Really? Tell me then, oh glorious leader, why you put me in such high-ranking positions in the first place? I'm the best you've got and you know it..."
"Have you not heard of the saying 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'?" the dictator said sarcastically. "But no matter, the reality is that I cannot allow a pathetic flesh creature such as you to remain in a position of power. If, in the unlikely event that you manage to succeed in regaining your true form, then perhaps I may reconsider. But until that day arrives, I suggest you start focussing on more important things than your own delusions of grandeur. Astrotrain, get rid of him."
And with that Megatron turned his back on him and walked away, no thought of goodbyes or comforting words.
Starscream fell to his knees in the palm of Astrotrain's massive hand, totally humiliated. It was bad enough being trapped within that repulsive bag of flesh, worse being exposed to the torture and mockery inflicted by comrades...but being stripped of his rank... It was a failure more degrading than all of that put together.
How dare Megatron treat him so unfairly? He was Starscream, tyrant of the firmament; no one had the right to step on him like that. Irate fists punched furiously at the metal beneath him, rage and defeat becoming one.
"Hey cut it out, Screamer," Astrotrain said. "You're tickling me."
"Screw you, Astrotrain," the human spat.
"Hey, that's no way to talk to the one who gets to choose where you're released."
"Where I'm released? I'm not some fragging animal, you know!"
"Ahh, actually, you are. But enough slag, I had plans for this cycle so the sooner I get you outta here, the sooner I can get on with more important things."
Astrotrain tightened his grip around the human, threatening the integrity of his organic frame.
"Ahh, you slagging son of a glitch, let go of me this instant!"
The Triplechanger moved to exit, but the monotonous drone of the new Second in Command made him pause in his tracks.
"Astrotrain, suggestion: produce as much loud static through your com link while transporting Starscream."
"Ahh, what?" Astrotrain asked, confused.
"Starscream's audios damaged due to procedure. Excess noise: very unpleasant."
Astrotrain smirked evilly. "I think I'm gonna like having you as Second in Command," he quipped.
"You sadistic freaks!" Starscream cried furiously. "I will kill you both, I swear to Primus, your time is limited!"
From within his rage Starscream was certain he saw Soundwave's visor brighten slightly. The accursed fragger was laughing at him silently; he didn't need to see his face to know it.
-------
Starscream watched on in silence as the twinkling lights of the human city grew brighter with each second. It surprised him that he could see them through the pelting rain fogging the windows, the thick cloud enveloping the shuttle.
"Ok, Screamer, ETA 5 terrestrial minutes," he heard Astrotrain shout over the incessant scream of the static being produced by the Triplechanger's com link.
Five minutes...
Such an insignificant amount of time in the life of a Cybertronian, but to the terrified human those five minutes were welcomed...after they ended he would have nothing left...
Starscream could feel his heart racing within his chest, pounding furiously against his ribcage. He wondered if that was how his victims had felt when they had faced their ending at his hands; he hoped fate would be more merciful than he had been.
Strong turbulence shook Astrotrain's form as he began to descend, the sensation making Starscream's stomach lurch. It wasn't necessarily an unwelcomed feeling – being an ex-flyer he was well accustomed to the sensation – but fear was wreaking havoc with his systems, making them act in contrary to his commands.
He felt lost, as if he was trapped within a thick fog with no visible path out. His entire body ached, a huge weight crushing him, and his ear... Soundwave's assertion of excessive noise being 'very unpleasant' had been an understatement.
"Get...to land..."
Words drifted in and out of his reality, sentences uncomprehended and unwelcomed. Starscream felt the rough bump of Astrotrain's landing before more meaningless words drifted to his audios:
"...up...transform...hey...listening to..."
The sudden sensation of Astrotrain's form moving and transforming about him brought the human out of his momentary stupor with a jolt.
"Hey, what the frag do you think you're doing, you're going to slagging crush me you dolt!"
"Well I told you to get out, didn't I?" Astrotrain said, pausing in his transformation to remove the shivering human from his structure. Roughly, he threw Starscream to the ground.
"Where the slag are we?"
"Ahh, Portland, dumbaft."
"No, moron, I mean where are we, in Portland?"
"Oh. Well, we're in the middle of a manufacturing estate right now. Steel, I think...or maybe it was aluminium. Whatever, who cares. It was the only place I could find free of squishies...Primus, those fraggers are everywhere!"
"What do you expect, we're in the middle of a human city! But you could have chosen somewhere where it wasn't raining, ugghh, I'm soaked already."
"How do you think I feel? I had to fly in it while you kept nice and dry inside!"
"Ahh, poor little Astrotrain, life is so cruel to you."
"Slag right, it is! Ok, then Screamer, time for me to go."
The reality of the Triplechanger's words impacted Starscream with the force of a bomb.
"N...no... Wait!! You can't leave me yet...I...I need to find somewhere to shelter for the night... You...you have to help me find somewhere..."
"Nope, sorry but that wasn't in my contract. I've had enough of this weather, I'm going back to the Nemesis."
"But...but you can't," Starscream pleaded in panic.
"I can and I am."
"No...please...don't leave me alone like this..."
Astrotrain looked down at the trembling human, his face expressing his disgust. Tense astro seconds of silence passed between them, only the sound of the rain bouncing off the Cybertronian's metal frame made itself heard.
"Goodbye Screamer..." Astrotrain finally spoke, his voice cold and indifferent. "I won't bother wishing you good luck, you won't last a breem out here."
The shivering human stood in silence as his deliverer transformed back into his vehicle mode and disappeared into the night. "May Primus send you to the Pit!" Starscream finally cried as the last glimmer of the shuttle's lights faded to black.
So that was it, then. He was alone, completely and utterly, with nothing but a new identity and a very basic knowledge of his surrounds.
What was he supposed to do now? How was he meant to establish a life for himself when he had no money, no form of identification, no idea...
A defeated sigh escaped his lips, followed by the horrible sensation of coughing. The heat in his body continued to rise as beads of sweat on his forehead merged unimpeded with the rain.
Misery took hold.
Starscream surveyed the area with disdain; dark buildings thrown into silhouette, backlit by the unforgiving city lights. In a way it reminded him of home – it seemed so industrial, so metallic – but the darkened form of an organic tree crushed those perceptions without any hesitation or remorse.
Rain ghosted through the light only to disappear into the darkness again, but the weather made itself know with its cold, wet embrace.
Starscream shivered; how he hated that accursed planet.
How he hated being alone.
To be continued.
First and foremost, we would like to point out that neither of us are from Portland, in fact, we aren't even from the US. So, we would like to warn you all in advance that everything we write about the place will be based on research and our own imaginations, so please don't be offended if we get some of the details wrong!
We would also like to warn you all that as of next chapter, we will be changing the rating to M. We hope this doesn't deter you all from reading, but we think it's better to be safe than sorry.
And finally, thank you all once again for your support and great reviews, they are always welcome! :o)