Starscream
So, I don't know what's up with the Decepticons, but they finally decided to calm down. We have no idea if it's because Megatron finally got back from his Lost Light expidition, Shockwave and Wheeljack made headway in the tracker, Buzzsaw woke up, or whatever. Either way, I'm just glad to be rid of the headaches.
Anyways, Megatron finally came back from his sentencing to serve on the Lost Light. Not because he actually served his full sentence, heavens no. I doubt he'd ever live to fill out his sentence. Rather, he's the only guy who both gets the Decepticons to actually listen to him and actually cooperates with the Autobots.
Now, I say this with pride in that my Seekers kept their heads screwed on without Megatron or Soundwave. Goes to show how good of a job I do.
Anyways, with Megatron here to control the crowds, Shockwave and Wheeljack have been able to make some dents in the progress for the tracker. Before, it could barely turn on without frying. Now, the tracker does actually turn on and start tracking. In fact, it's been able to get returns. But, it hasn't been giving reliable or consistent returns. Still, it's some progress.
As well, a surprise guest finally decided to show up. The mean spirited Enemy. Yes, his name is actually Enemy, and he used to be one of Soundwave's minicons. That is, until he decided to make his name his entire personality.
He decided out-of-the-blue that the more enemies you had, the more important you were. And he really wanted to be important. He was so invested in his goal that he even severed his connection with his brothers and creator.
Soundwave's more likable cassette, Buzzsaw, was awake and well. Buzzsaw still couldn't travel alone and practically needed to be carried everywhere, but that beats stasis lock.
Anyways, Megatron being here put up some personal challenges. I watched as he first turned to talk to Optimus.
"So, care to tell me what happened to Soundwave?" Megatron asked.
Optimus explained, "While visiting the archives, Soundwave had vanished in a flash of light. I have no idea where he went."
"Hm. Are there any of his cassettes at the station?"
"Yes, Buzzsaw and Enemy. However, Buzzsaw is still recovering and Enemy had severed his connection years prior."
"Great. I presume you are finding an alternative way to find him?"
"Shockwave and Wheeljack are working on a tracker, and Starsceam," he beckoned to me, "is organizing his Seekers into a search party."
"Very well. As for you, Starscream, how have you been doing?" Megatron asked.
I bitterly responded, "I'd be doing better if you were dead."
"I see you haven't changed much."
"I presume you haven't either."
"My time with Hot Rod on the Lost Light has been educational to me. I am not the same as I was."
"Not really a high bar since all you knew was how to attack everyone around you!"
"Can you two stop?" Jetfire interjected.
"Ugh, fine!" I spat.
Optimus suggested, "Anyways, you should go to control the crowds, Megatron."
"Very well, Prime."
He walked out to calm the Decepticon crowds as I returned to meet with my Seekers. I stressed that it was a Seeker-only meeting, but Jetfire insisted he follow me. I didn't much mind, as he was one of the few that I enjoyed the company of. Plus, I never really said he wasn't still a Seeker.
The other two were my fellow trine members, Skywarp and Thundercracker. Despite their oddities, Skywarp's mischief and Thundercracker's ossesion with human pop culture, I find the two of them like brothers.
"Hey, boss, relax. When those two mechanics get that tracker up and running, we can find Soundwave and bring him back. After that, Megatron's gone." Thundercracker consoled.
"I know! Even so, I still abhor the thought of being in the same space station as Megatron! Ugh, I remember when it was mine."
Jetfire corrected, "You mean ours, Screamer?"
"Did you forget who paid for it? News flash, Jets, I did, with my family fortune."
"Whatever, little prince."
"Hey, commander?" Skywarp questioned.
"What is it, Skywarp?"
"You don't really talk about you and Jetfire. Any reason why?"
"Well, bad memories, is all. Not that he was a bad person to me, Primus no. Rather, I don't really like to think about everything we lost. Everything Megatron took from us."
"Dude, that was millions of years ago." Jetfire interjected.
"I know, I know. I guess I haven't gotten over it. Loosing a title as a royal, position as a chief scientist, the station."
"If you want, I can appeal for you to be able to return to Vos. You are still the prince after all."
"I know, Jets. I know."
Thundercracker pointed out, "You say 'I know' a lot."
"Heh, yeah. Probably because I know a lot of things."
"And yet you still complain." Jetfire retorted.
I jokingly refuted, "Oh, but can't a scientist-prince complain once in a while?"
"Oh, forgive me, your highness." Jetfire joked.
I changed the subject, "Anyways, everyone else coming?"
"Like you had to ask, air commander." Slipstream responded.
I turned, and happily saw my Seekers lines up. There was Dirge with his coneheads, Slipstream with her streams, Nova Storm with his storms, Dead air with his dooms, Airstrike with his slams, and Terrorfin with his wings. In total, there were 24 of us, excluding Jetfire. He wasn't part of a trine, as he was an unusual Seeker. But, he was with me, and that's all that mattered.
"So, I presume you all know the plan?"
Dirge answered, "Yep. When we get the signal from the tracker, we all sweep the area. You and your Top Trine will take the center while the rest of the trines fan out from there, maximizing ground cover."
"Yes. And under no circumstances are you to venture off further than a half-klick away from your fellow trine members, understood?"
"Sir yes sir!" They gallantly responded.
"Great. Now, be on standby for the signal. In the meantime, we-"
A familiarly annoying voice interjected, "'Sup Wingnuts?"
We all groaned as we turned to see the tiny Enemy standing in the doorway, holding Buzzsaw. He just came barging in, despite the sign clearly said 'Seekers Only', but at this point, I couldn't tell if he could even read.
"What is it now, Enemy?" I asked.
"Well, me and Buzzsaw heard you guys were the guys going on the search party for our old man. That true?"
"Yes it is. But what do you want?"
"We want to go with you."
"Pardon?"
"You heard me. Buzzsaw and I want to check on him, so we're not just gonna sit around while you go searching for him. We're going with you."
"Ugh, alright. Just don't cause any problems. I mean it!"
"Chillax! I know when to and not to cause problems."
"Whatever. Besides, we're waiting for-"
My comm suddenly buzzed, "Wheeljack to Starscream, Wheeljack to Starscream!"
"I read you. What is it?"
"Shockwave and I have been getting returns on Soundwave's coords!"
"And? You've been getting faulty returns all day."
"Well, these returns ain't faulty. They're legit. Staying in the same spot, stable, everything."
"You sure?"
"Positive! So, how about you and your Seekers boogie on up to the launch bay whole I send the coordinates!"
"Copy that." I responded. "Listen up, Wheeljack and Shockwave have found Soundwave! Let's begin the search!"
"You heard the man!" Jetfire shouted, "Go up to the launch bay and find Soundwave!"
"You don't have to tell us twice." Airstrike answered.
We all ran to the launch bay, eager to find Soundwave. The coordinates said he was on Earth. Long Island, New York, specifically.
As we prepared to launch, Enemy and Buzzsaw insisted they ride along with me.
I acquiesced, "Fine! Just make sure you don't ruin my interior!"
My Seekers all lined up, intending for me to lake final announcements. Of course, none of them were half-clocked. They all knew what to do, as I trained them.
"Seekers," I announced, "to the skies!"
We all launched off the platform, transforming into our jet modes. We flew into the Spacebridge Shockwave prepared for us, myself in the lead. Although, when I flew through, it flickered red, and... wait. Is that a scarlet tree in a black void?"
