Lesson in Living
Chapter 6
PART ONE
By Starath
Author's Note: Hi again! Between school, work, the holidays and getting sick, this chapter has been a challenge to get out. Luckily I've had lots of help: A special thanks goes out to Demon Lord Onigawa, maltaras, and of course, Crab. Without you guys I'd still be struggling with this. Also, thanks for your kind comments everyone, they mean more than I can say. Lastly, I don't own Transformers or the two songs in here, "Some Say" by Sum 41 and "Six Foot Town" by Big & Rich. Enjoy!
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
Find out we're different somehow
It's too late to even have faith
Don't think things will ever change
You must be dreaming…
-- "Some Say" by Sum 41
"Man, I can't believe Megatron threw us out."
"He's been awfully grouchy lately."
"More than usual, you mean?"
Frenzy let out a sharp bark of laughter. "Definitely."
Rumble adjusted the guitar case so it would sit more comfortably across his back. "All we were doing was practicing our songs. Star said we could." They paused at the end of a sidewalk, waiting for the signal to tell them it was safe to cross the street. "And he went into a full circuit overload."
"He's been on the edge of one for days. Being human is really getting to him. Good thing Dad's around or it would have been worse than it was."
"Oh, I dunno." Rumble tipped up his sunglasses so he could gaze into a sky full of puffy white clouds. "It's not so bad once you get used to it. Think we'll make any money today?"
The glowing orange hand of the signal changed into a green figure. The twins crossed the street in front of a row of stopped cars. Ahead of them a cobblestone pathway branched away from the sidewalk and into the city park. They followed it and admired the scenery for a moment.
"This ain't Cybertron but it's nice in its own way." commented Frenzy, peering up into some nearby tree branches. "Not including the squirrels." They rounded a bend in the path. "Hey look, there's already some people waiting for us. Heh, maybe we will, bro."
A few people milled around a bench tucked up against a tree. They waved when the twins came into view. Rumble pulled the guitar case off his back and returned the wave. "Star was right, we do have a knack for music. Better to be out here instead of in that stuffy apartment anyway."
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
Soundwave gazed forlornly outside and wobbled to keep balance on the windowsill. Last night's shift had been a long one. Even after sleeping until noon he was still groggy. He would have liked to sleep longer if not for the... altercation earlier. He turned his attention to the others in the room. Starscream occupied himself with the TV. Except for the occasional laugh and comment, he kept quiet. The humor of MASH reruns did little to brighten the mood. The scratching of pencil on paper in the kitchen contributed to the noise in the apartment.
Megatron sat brooding in the recliner, staring at the wall in front of him. He dripped tension. His outburst at Rumble and Frenzy had done little to relieve the pressure he contained. Soundwave would have left if he wasn't worried about another display of fury. With Starscream behaving himself there was only one other person Megatron could go after.
Casey sat hunched over a pile of mail, paper, a calculator and her checkbook. After mentioning something about balancing finances she hadn't moved for almost two hours. Already irritable from "that time of month"—whatever that meant— she hadn't handled Megatron's ordering the Cassetticons out very well. For now burying herself in calculations kept her distracted, but from her posture Soundwave could tell she felt the room's tension too.
Megatron suddenly stirred to life. "Starflight, I require refueling. Make me something to eat."
Soundwave held his breath.
"Make something yourself."
Starscream's laugh at Hawkeye Pierce's antics cut itself short. Soundwave shook his head and pulled down his hat like a soldier tightening his helmet.
The recliner squeaked when Megatron sprang up. "What was that?"
"You can do it yourself. I'm busy."
He approached her from behind and slammed his hand down in front of her. She jumped in a solid three inches. Soundwave leaned away from the window and planted both feet on the ground.
"I'm telling you to do it."
She actually brushed his hand off her paperwork. "Good for you. This is more important right now because, for some reason, I'm $150 short of paying rent this month."
"That is no concern of mine. I'll order you if necessary."
"If you want to make an order go to McDonald's. Good luck doing so with no money."
With a vicious sweep of his hand Megatron scattered everything in front of her to the floor. "Nobody talks like that to me!"
Casey stood up so abruptly her chair fell backward. "Get used to it. I'm not one of your lackeys."
"So long as I am here you will do as I say."
"Why the hell should I? I am not yours to command."
"I will command whoever I choose! I am Megatron, indisputable leader of the Decepticons." He stepped up to her and peered down with menace. "No one challenges me and lives."
She didn't budge an inch. "You mean besides Optimus Prime? Or Starscream?"
Soundwave saw the Air Commander duck below the edge of the couch out of the corner of his sunglasses. He steadied himself against the windowsill, sensitive to the angry emotions radiating from the middle of the kitchen. He sighed. This storm had been brewing too long to stop now.
"Just what," Megatron spat out, "makes you think you can say such things to ME? You know nothing!"
"Oh, and I suppose you know everything?"
"Of course I do."
She folded her arms across her chest. "That's why the others come to me asking questions instead of you, right?"
The TV forgotten, Starscream grinned in appreciation of the young woman's boldness. This scenario was too familiar. He watched his leader's face twist in fury.
"You have no right to say that to me, underling." Megatron snarled.
"Why not? It's true." Casey blinked, eyeing him. "Is that what you've been pissed about?"
"That is none of your concern. It would do you well to learn your place while in my presence. You test my patience with your mere existence."
"Yeah yeah. Keep barking, little dog, keep barking."
Soundwave's eyebrows shot over the top of his sunglasses. He exchanged glances with Starscream. They heard Megatron's teeth audibly grind together.
"You insolent creature! You are worth nothing compared to myself and my crew. We are true Decepticons; you are nothing but an imitation."
"Well guess what Megatron, that means squat here." Casey stabbed her finger into his chest to emphasize each word. "I don't care if you're Mary-friggin-Queen-of-Scots. I never knew you as the "Mighty Megatron" so I don't give a DAMN about how tough you OR your Decepticons are! I have busted my ass with work, school, and cleaning up after you goons!"
He backed up to escape the savage poking and attempted to swat her hand away. He missed. "That is what you are best suited for—"
"Do you know WHY I'm short money for rent? I spent money on YOU! For clothes, food, cleaner for the dishes, for the carpet, and everything else you people keep making filthy. And not ONCE have you ever said 'Thank you'!"
"Why should I do such a thing? I am the leader here, not you. You're not the one who gives orders—"
"You couldn't lead a cat out of a paper bag, Megs."
"You—" He stabbed her chest with his finger. "Are garbage and will be treated as s—"
The sharp snap cracked across the room. Megatron fell silent, stunned. His cheek reddened. Casey drew back and clenched her hand into a fist. "Not anymore. Get out."
He blinked. "What?"
"You heard me." Her voice shook. "Get out. All of you. I'm not anybody's garbage. You are no longer welcome here."
Megatron scowled and raised his hand. He stepped forward. "If you think—"
Another hand grabbed his wrist. "Megatron. Enough."
Spinning, he came face-to-face with Soundwave. The larger man held fast when he tried freeing himself. "Release me!"
"Continuing will accomplish nothing."
Breathing hard, his face crimson, Megatron broke free of Soundwave's grasp and stomped toward the front door without looking back. Starscream slid off the couch, following his leader. Soundwave started after him when Casey said,
"Wait."
Starscream and Soundwave turned and saw her open palm.
"I'll take the spare key back."
Megatron made a sound of disgust. "Give it to her, Soundwave."
Casey looked to him expectantly. Soundwave pulled off his baseball cap and plucked the key ring out of his hair. He dropped it in her hand. She stared at it, then at his head while he replaced the hat. He shrugged with a tired sigh.
"I miss my chest compartment."
Moments later the apartment door slammed shut. Casey let out a pent-up breath and dragged her chair upright. She started picking up the bills and paperwork scattered across the floor when she let out a strangled sob. She dropped to her knees.
"Today was supposed to be a happy day," she cried.
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
Starscream stared up into the sky, hands tucked behind his head. His gaze lingered on a third-floor window with familiar curtains.
"Great. Now what?"
Nobody answered. Soundwave made sure to stand between Starscream and Megatron. It proved difficult due to Megatron's furious pacing back and forth across the sidewalk. Starscream eventually shrugged.
"I must say, Megatron, you've never—"
A hand clamped on his shoulder. He stared at his reflection in Soundwave's sunglasses. A few feet away Megatron had stopped pacing. Murderous intent glittered in his eyes.
"It would be wise for you to keep your thoughts to yourself," advised Soundwave quietly.
Starscream pulled away. "At least it wasn't MY fault for once."
Soundwave intercepted Megatron before his leader could reduce Starscream into a bloody mess on the pavement. "I have need to go to my place of employment."
"Out of my way." snapped Megatron. "Someone needs to DIE."
He didn't move. "I must speak with my supervisor. There are refreshments I can buy for you at the bar."
A long, dangerous silence flitted between them. Starscream scurried nonchalantly behind a tree while he had the chance. Finally, Megatron shoved Soundwave to the side.
"Fine. We'll go. I obviously have no idea what to do anyway."
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
The atmosphere at Josie's Night Club in the daytime was silent compared to its rambunctious night crowd. A few friends sitting together kept to quiet conversation. The stage in the back of the room took up a third of its space while tables dotted the shining wooden dance floor. Up front, red stools lined up against the bar, waiting for occupants.
Soundwave made sure two of the stools were used before he left Megatron and Starscream to find the Club's owner. He also made sure Megatron had a stiff drink in front of him.
"Whiskey," he had told his leader. "It's not energon but it's close enough."
Megatron could have cared less about what was put in front of him. He poked at the ice cubes with a pretzel stick, a frown creasing his face. How had all this gone wrong? It was that slagging woman's fault. She didn't have to throw them out—if only she knew her place. Yeah. That was it. He took a cautious drink of the "whiskey". It scorched his throat when he swallowed. It wasn't pleasant but it wasn't uncomfortable either. He felt it hit his stomach, pooling there like the oncoming misery gathering above his head. He stared at the water ring left on the counter from his glass. What were they going to do now? Usually full of schemes and next steps, Megatron found himself unable to think of anything. He took another drink.
Whiskey didn't suit Starscream's taste very well. He'd made the mistake of downing half the glass in his first gulp, and now clung to the counter in an effort to reclaim equilibrium. He glanced at Megatron, who was strangely quiet. After what he had just witnessed, a maelstrom of temperament should be showing now. Instead, nothing. Of course, it figured that Megatron could hold his drink and Starscream could not.
A light butterfly's touch fluttered up the arm of Starscream's black jacket. He started, looking up to find himself gazing into dark brown eyes. Clad in a navy-blue outfit and a Josie's Night Club apron, Silvia smiled at him.
"Hey there Maverick," she purred.
Starscream's poise returned in an instant. He flashed his most roguish grin. "Hi Silvia. Nice to see you."
"Indeed." She hopped up onto the stool next to him and gave it a spin. When she came to a stop she rested her elbows on his knees, leaning in nice and close. When he didn't react to the view, she wiggled a little. Still nothing. "What are you doing here?"
He did stare, for a moment. "We… ah, we decided to go out for the day."
"You mean that little twit Casey actually let you out?"
Starscream cringed. "Something like that."
She tapped a glossy-tipped finger to her bottom lip in thought. "I get off work in about twenty minutes. Want to spend the day together?" She slipped off the stool and playfully tugged on his arm. "Please?"
"Oh, absolutely!" He coughed and straightened himself out. "I would love to spend time in your company, Silvia."
She giggled. "You're so cute. I'll come back for you in a bit." She winked and blew him a kiss before strolling away.
Starscream watched her go and let out a content sigh, completely smitten. A sudden prickling on his neck all but killed the good feelings stirring inside his chest. He noticed Megatron staring at him, his eyes promising death for a single misspoken word.
When Soundwave returned to the bar only Megatron was there, playing with the ice cubes left at the bottom of his empty glass.
"Where has Starscream gone?"
Megatron rattled the ice. "I don't care."
Casey slammed the next 10-pound bag of dog food down onto the pile and reached for another.
THUD.
She really shouldn't be doing this heavy lifting, but she needed to do something other than stand at the cash register. Her current mood was not customer service-compatible.
THUD.
"That big JERK. Who does he think he is? Bossing me around like that. God! If I could kick his ass one of these days…."
THUD.
From across the room next to the cat kennels, Kari heard her friend and coworker abusing the dog food. It wasn't like Casey to be so upset about anything. Scanning the row of kennels she was cleaning, she set aside her rag, smiling mischievously.
The dog food sufficiently moved and sworn at, Casey settled for rearranging the cat food cans on the shelf behind her because she felt like it.
"Honestly, I'M the "garbage"? Well screw that! Just because I'm not a Decep—"
A tiny "mew" entered her left ear. Spinning, she came face-to-face with watery green eyes belonging to the black cat with one white paw.
"What the—" she looked beyond the cat's eyes and spotted her friend. "Kari…"
"Oh noes!" cried Kari in a voice much too high and somewhat cat-like. "What's wrong, Casey?" She waved the cat's paws.
"…. Put him back."
"But Casey! Kitty wants to know what's wrong or you'll make him cry, 'boo hoo!'" Kari wiggled the cat's paws in the crying motion.
Casey returned her attention to the perfectly rearranged rows of cat food and put them back to where they were supposed to be. Why did she have to pick THAT cat to shove in my face?
"I don't want to talk about it. It's just been a really, really…" she bit her lip as she felt tears coming. "… bad day."
Kari sighed and disappeared to put the white-pawed black cat back into his kennel. When she found Casey again she gave her a half-hug around the shoulder before she could get away.
"Let's see… Whose fault is it? Can I beat 'em up, please?"
"Oh, I wish. You and me both." She paused. "You know those guys I told you about?"
"Sure." Kari tilted her head and smiled her bright shiny smile that looked downright demonic. "Is it their fault? I could hunt them down for you."
"Uh…" Casey shuddered. That smile worked every time. "It's just the one, actually. The others have been behaving okay, aside from eating all my food, but their leader is—"
"Leader?"
Casey halted and swallowed. How to say this? "Ah, yeah. They're…. All in the military, see, except for the twins. Sort of. But the leader thinks he's Lord and Master of everything he touches."
"Oh really?" Kari's voice dropped dangerously low. "After our shift's over in a few hours, wanna go find him?" Her eyebrow twitched.
Casey laughed nervously and pulled out of the hug. "No, that's okay." As mad as she was at Megatron, allowing Kari to rain holy hell on him might not be fair. But then again… "See, since he's from… the military, he's used to being in charge. Only here, he's not, and he's had to listen to me. But it's…. um, complicated."
Kari crossed her arms. "Hmph. Men need to learn their place."
Casey flinched as if struck. "That's pretty much what he told me, plus he used words like "garbage" to boot. He just… he just doesn't care about someone who isn't his equal."
"Ugh. Men are such retards a lot of the time. You know that, right? Like they're from another planet." Kari rolled her eyes and patted Casey's shoulder. "Don't let him get to you, okay?"
"…Yeah," she agreed. "You have no idea."
The little bell tinkled at the front of the store when the door opened. The two friends exchanged glances.
"I'll take care of the register, don't you worry." Said Kari. "And don't forget, we have to do something for your birthday tonight!"
Casey wandered to the back room for some peace and quiet. She thought about Megatron and the Decepticons. They were gone now, but she knew better than to think it was for forever. Yeah. She was 24 years old today. She didn't feel like celebrating.
A couple blocks away, Starscream tripped on a crack in the sidewalk. Silvia's backside disappeared when she turned to face him.
"Walk much?"
He recovered with a hop-skip. "Actually, I'm more used to flying."
She let him catch up and slipped her hand through his arm. "Really? Are you in the Air Force or something? Like your jacket says. I just love military guys."
"Do you now?" he grinned. "Then you've found the right mech… er, man. I'm—" Wait. How could he say this and still impress her? His mind spun its wheels.
"You're what?"
"I'm… ah, a pilot for… Area 51. Yeah. I fly all the super secret stuff, like… special F-15s."
Silvia's dark eyes widened. "No,"
Way to go Hotshot. She's impressed. Starscream shrugged. "Yep. I'm on leave right now."
"Wow, that is so cool, Maverick."
"Isn't it? But I, ah, can't say any more than that."
"Understandably." Silvia shivered. "Hey Mav, I'm cold. Could I borrow your jacket?"
He glanced at her. With clothing like that it's no wonder, he thought, but his critical indifference melted when she pouted.
"Alright, you can use it." He took it off and draped it over her shoulders.
Silvia giggled and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "You're so sweet."
He straightened up so fast he had a head rush, and felt his cheeks warming. "No problem."
They continued to walk side-by-side in silence. It might have been the whiskey from earlier, but Starscream's head was swimming. Femmes weren't exactly common back on Cybertron, so he wasn't around them often. Here he had a human female who completely adored him! Heh. The girls want me no matter what the species. And what does Megatron have? A whole lot of nothing.
"What are you smirking at?" asked Silvia.
"Hmm? Oh, nothing. Just thinking."
"About how you're so glad to be with me, right?" she smiled.
"You'd better believe it." And you're so happy to be with ME. Hope you're having fun with your whiskey glass, Mighty Leader!
Silvia laughed, then guided him to a sharp right. "Oh! My favorite coffee shop. Fancy that. Let's get something."
Starscream read Cahoots painted on the store window. She paused by the door, and when he didn't open it, tapped her foot.
"What? Can't you be a gentleman?"
"Huh?" He blinked and realized what she wanted. He opened the door for her. "It's been awhile since I've last had to be one," he admitted.
She sighed, a touch of frustration in her voice. "That's okay."
Once inside, Starscream took in his new surroundings by habit of a trained soldier. Indian rugs hung on the walls, and mobiles made of glass beads and wire dangled down from the ceiling. A worker in a dark outfit waited patiently by the bar for their order. Convinced there was nothing to harm him, he allowed Silvia to lead him to the long counter.
"Do you want anything?" she asked.
He scanned the chalkboards lining the back wall and found no meaning from phrases like "ice coffee mocha special". Peculiar smells assaulted his nose. Coffee was something Casey said he shouldn't have but had neglected to explain why.
"No thanks."
Silvia shrugged. "Suit yourself." She traced a line up and down his shirt. "Buy me something?"
He sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "I have no currency."
"No money!" She exclaimed, her sweet expression going sour. She stomped to the counter. The worker waiting there hastily backed off. He looked to Starscream, who shrugged, confused. No matter the species, females rarely made sense.
Soundwave positioned himself between Megatron and the street again. There was no sense in letting him dent another car he decided to kick. Shoulders hunched, hands jammed in his pockets, his leader hadn't said a thing since they left Josie's Night Club and began this aimless walk through the neighborhood. Although concerned with their current shelter-less situation, Soundwave knew better than to say anything until spoken to first. Having Megatron quietly simmer instead of howling in anger was unsettling, though. Something had changed in his commander, but he had no idea what.
Suddenly Megatron halted in his tracks and leaned against a light post, resting his head against it with a soft clang. The sunlight made his silver hair almost white. He rubbed his dark eyebrows, weary.
"We have nowhere to go, Soundwave." He said, bumping his head against the post again. "I thought, maybe, if I walked long enough I could think of something. I can't. There is too much working against me."
Soundwave folded his arms against his chest, listening like he had for so many years.
"She's nothing. We shouldn't need her. But I did not know what that red light meant, you did, and stopped me from getting run over." Megatron's voice hardened. "By a semi, no less." He threw his hands up. "I don't know what to do. I just don't. –Delete that. I want to kill whoever did this to us."
"We need to return to Starflight's apartment," ventured Soundwave.
"Ha!" Megatron spat on the ground. "After the things she said to me? After she tossed us out? Why on Cybertron, or better yet, on this forsaken planet, do you propose we do that?"
A cheerful voice broke the conversation. "Excuse me,"
They both jumped, and faced the store they had stopped in front of. Cute stuffed animals lined the windowsills. Flowers of all colors were stuffed inside the small place and nearly fell out in the street. In the doorway, a young woman in a blue dress giggled and waved at them. Her nametag read "Mary", the owner of the flower shop.
"What?" snapped Megatron.
Amazingly, her smile was unphased by his hostility. "I couldn't help overhearing you, sir. You upset a young lady, didn't you?"
"Yeah? What of it?"
Mary giggled again and winked at Megatron. "Typical man in the doghouse. The best way out is to apologize. And buy a present."
"Like what? Your smelly plants? That white toy?" He pushed away from the pole, turned an about-face and stalked down the street. "She isn't worth it. Come, Walker, let us find Maverick."
Mary let out a low whistle and looked to Soundwave. "Stubborn, isn't he?"
Soundwave sighed and followed after his leader. "You do not know the half of it."
Mary waved after him. "Good luck, fellas!"
---
To be continued in Part two…