Success! Fixed!

Little did the Starscream know, he was being watched. Megatron had become infuriated with Thundercracker's death and wanted the killer found no matter what, so he made sure Soundwave was on it as soon as he'd gotten wind of it. He'd not only lost an officer, but if someone could take down someone as strong as Thundercracker, he wanted them dead or alive. Dead, so he wouldn't have to worry about it. Alive, so he might be able to use it to his advantage.

Soundwave originated his searches in the mystery deaths recorded previous to Thundercracker's attack. He also went by the information supplied by Skywarp. Only after finding out through Skywarp about Starscream having been present without his beacon on, was his attention centered on Starscream himself. That, in itself was bizarre. He'd also made note of those times when Starscream had disappeared or how quickly he left.

Deciding to check Starscream out completely, Soundwave sent one of his recording drones. He had him followed to see where he would go – perhaps what he would do. In little time, Laserbeak had done its job, reporting back to Soundwave. It'd told him of Starscream's gallivants to his lab. From there, it always lost contact, so it was never certain what exactly Starscream was doing when he would leave in a rush.

Immediately, Soundwave decided he wanted to know more. He'd sent his minions several times before he finally realized what was going on at the laboratory. It became evident that Starscream was going here so often because he was testing something, though he couldn't seem to identify what he was testing at the time. Samples had been acquired when Starscream left the laboratory so he could do his own research. The tests Starscream had been performing seemed to be with his own energon – which looked oddly different from any energon he'd ever seen.

This brought up a red flag with him, who was interested more in what Starscream was doing and why his energon was purple. He'd done research and looked up things, as this perplexed him entirely. Taking some time to himself to delve into this, it was quickly summarized that something was very wrong with Starscream, and although the Communications Officer could identify some of it, some only raised more questions than answers. After reading in to some archives in Vector Sigma, he started to get a strange picture on what was apparently turning into something he didn't want any part of - especially because the implications were so radical.

He'd discovered that Starscream's energon was apparently infected with something. And, this something was completely indestructible. He quickly noticed this apparent indestructible substance could not be identified by conventional means. So, that meant he would have to deepen his research. Because now, he really wanted to know what was going on himself. He had proof of something undefined, and, once he garnered all the access he could from Vector Sigma, he would unknowingly enter Starscream's world. After noting that the only answers he could find pointed towards a higher power, he then realized he would have to break into forbidden files that were firewalled almost past his own capabilities. He would find out what was going on, no matter how bizarre a picture it was becoming.

Checking and then re-checking again, files of ancient history were discovered; files that pointed Soundwave on a path he wasn't sure he wanted to keep following. The CO finally concluded that Starscream had what appeared to be an ancient curse set upon him known as 'The Fallen' – one that technically shouldn't have been real since these kind of things were from mythical names like Primus or Unicron. He always believed the curses were fake, nothing more than stories to scare others, but that was that. It was unbelievable what he'd discovered, except the evidence was right in front of him and this was the only conclusion. He now knew who was a fault and why. It would answer a lot of questions as to why he was acting so strange and certainly explained Thundercracker's death; however why he hadn't killed him sooner was rather baffling to him, as Starscream had apparently had this little problem for a while now.

He was now onto Starscream's dirty little secret – even if it didn't make any sense.

He also knew Megatron would want Starscream in for questioning, especially finding he was the elusive killer the entire planet was concerned about. Oh, this was going to be interesting, to say the least. He wasn't entirely sure he wanted Megatron to know that killer has been right under his nose plates this entire time. Nor was he sure he wanted him to know that he could not be killed by any conventional means. Drastic measures were to be taken.

Soundwave waited a while before bringing his findings to Megatron, who was disturbingly pleased to hear the news. As Soundwave walked with him, he filled him in on the other bits of information he'd yet to supply, since he was still extensively studying this strange curse. After researching all of the information, he finally had a story to tell and boy was it a whopper. "I have confirmation of the identity of the killer."

"Is it an Autobot?"

"No sir," Soundwave paused. "It's Starscream."

Megatron stopped, perhaps in surprise. "You're sure?"

"Affirmative,"

Megatron was quiet as if absorbing the information and then laughed. He then laughed some more. "Little Starscream is going around killing others? You mean to tell me he killed Thundercracker? You're mistaken, Soundwave."

Soundwave was absolutely sure he was on the right path. "It was called 'The Fallen'," he continued, ignoring Megatron's doubt, "A curse of the gods - one of the most dangerous of them all."

Hearing this, Megatron quirked an eye ridge at the one walking beside him. He fully trusted Soundwave's logic up until now, so he was curious why Soundwave would say such a thing. It was a story. "Well, well, well, this story is getting appealing. There's actually someone who lives with the curse…? How can you be so sure?"

The consideration of this actually being real was astonishing. Getting behind the science of it would be quite interesting to say the least. He would like to study it more, but knew Megatron would want to keep the seeker for his own sick purposes once he told him. "I followed his testing and took some samples while he was out of his lab and confirmed through the forbidden network," Soundwave replied. "There are no other logical answers. Without a doubt, he's The Fallen."

There was a dark chuckle from Megatron. Soundwave could hear the gears turning. "Is that so…" the leader said with a sly tone, "So, what can you tell me about it?"

"It is the darkest evil ever thought to exist. Even Unicron wanted rid of it."

"Unicron is supposed to be one of the highest, like Primus." Megatron replied, and then said dismissively, "I'm thinking some of this is still just a story."

Soundwave was silent a moment while they walked as he thought about it. This was no story. This was real. "There is another side. I've found that The Fallen isn't just a curse, it is a weapon. A plague, if you will, created by Unicron himself."

Whatever this was, one of his most logical officers believed it fully. What else should he know about this? "A weapon, you say? Well, then, I'm glad I kept that traitorous Starscream around, then. That rather… unusual behavior of his will come in most useful in my next attacks, don't you think?"

This is where he was figuring it would go. He was hoping that Megatron would want Starscream executed – if there actually was a way of doing so, or exiled. Hopefully he could persuade him to do just that, saying, "I believe he would be a handful."

"Soundwave, after all this time, do you not think I can handle this? It's Starscream, for pit's sake."

He wouldn't admit it, but things weren't looking in Megatron's favor on that one, at least to him. "I suggest you err on the side of caution. It is said The Fallen are extremely powerful." There was no need to refer to him as Starscream, but to refer him as he is – a creature that must be gotten rid of. Fast.

"So am I,"

He knew this game. It was a challenge. "Starscream's repair systems are extraordinary from what I have tested. There is no record of this curse actually being killed or anyone surviving an encounter with it."

"Well it was obviously stopped if it didn't exist until now. So if it is as bad as you say, how did they get rid of it then? Which begs the question; where did it come from?"

"I haven't looked into how he contracted it as of yet. And planetary exile is the only answer," Soundwave replied, "It is said that it eventually starved to death."

"Maybe they didn't try hard enough to kill it or they weren't strong enough," Megatron replied haughtily, "And besides, if Starscream can't be killed, that will just make it that much better."

"Keep in mind that it also cannot be controlled after a certain point." If Unicron wanted it dead because of its instability, then how did Megatron really think he could control it?

"I'm sure he can be." Megatron replied. Starscream always has been under his control in a way or so.

Perhaps Megatron really thought that high of himself. It was absolutely foolish. "It became so uncontrollable that Unicron himself couldn't stop it."

"It's a story for a reason Soundwave. That reason is because some things are made up. Starscream can and will be controlled by me. I will keep him chained up, and let's see what happens. I think we can start off by starving him – observe what he does."

"Starving it is the most dangerous thing you can do, sir," Soundwave warned again, "You do realize the ice you tread,"

The leader laughed at the idea. "I am Megatron! Better than some spark-stealing, cursed mech! He cannot harm me!"

Soundwave gave Megatron a doubtful glance, but kept his opinions to himself, especially if Megatron wouldn't listen anyway. He might be sorry he underestimated this. "One more thing… The Fallen was supposedly the cause of Prima's death."

"So the story goes," Megatron agreed, still conspiring in his mind.

"How long do you plan to starve it?" Soundwave wondered.

"Let's see how long it takes him to turn into this thing you seem so afraid of," Megatron replied cheekily.

"The longer you wait, the more voracious it will become,"

That sounded most pleasant. "That's good. That means the more he will kill. How often does he have to feed?"

"That is unknown yet." Soundwave informed, "I have looked up the rate of bodies found with this particular way of killing and it can go sometimes two or three deca-cycles at most,"

"When was his last kill?"

"Judging by what was confiscated from the laboratory, I think Starscream has found somewhat of a solution to the problem, as it's been at least ten deca-cycles since there were any other reported sightings,"

"Can't have that now, can we? Let's go find out just what kind of creature he becomes, I am curious about the curse."

Soundwave made a sour face, "Not to mention how they feed." He wouldn't admit it, but the thought of eating one's spark was revolting to him.

"How is it done?"

"From what I have read, it's rather simple, actually. They feed off of others' sparks, taking all traces of it." Soundwave supplied with a frown, "They apparently go mind-numb, having no recollection of the experience. The only thing they remember is the aftermath."

Megatron grimaced, finding the idea vile himself. He considered the thought of not remembering, and then commented, "Wow, quite a mind-screw… I'm surprised he hasn't gone insane." He then said with a sadistic gleam in his optic, "Find him and bring him to me."

Soundwave could hear the tone in his voice change. It was a demand… a dark one.

Knowing Megatron and how he works, Starscream couldn't have thought it would be long...