This is the beta readt edition by Skins Thumderboum, so I don't think you may find a lot of odd grammar structures.
However, there are several warnings:
1-As usual, this chapter contains speeches in several languages.
2-This chapter contains STRONG human bashing in several levels. I don't know of it might hurt some feelings, but I rather like to put a warning.
As usual, notes at the end.
Chapter-8
Watching a Shadow.
Both blue seekers walked by several corridors and took several elevators; energon warehouses were in the inferior levels, and it was a long distance 'till they arrived in the gigantic room where the energon cubes were kept.
Along the way, the two blue and white Seekers walked in silence, Thundercracker was ahead and Starscream was following not far behind him. The seeker of blue optics was deep in thought, the later events of his life and his counterpart' success he had just watched flashed in his memory again and again. He remembered every time than the Megatron of his reality had bashed him in one or another way, and a
low grunt grew up in his throat as he felt again how much he hated Megatron by all those deeds. He never could understand why the Decepticon Leader always blamed him of all his failures; he never understood why he was cursed like that being the powerful warrior he was.
But now, this aspect of his life had got a new dimension, his counterpart of this reality seemed to suffer the same curse: it was as if he would watch himself in a mirror, a mirror which showed him the painful reality to his current blue optics. He didn't know how or why, but he had seen enough examples of those regular bashes to his counterpart in just two days, and the last one had been the cruelest…
Again and again, the memories of his counterpart reduced into a mass of scattered metal on his knees as he pleaded pathetically for his life, flashed on his mind. And, once again, he felt his hatred arousing in his spark. He become into the conclusion than his counterpart also deeply hated the Megatron of this reality. It was an easy conclusion.
However, why had Megatron beaten his counterpart like that? Why such a bash? The short details he caught were the Decepticon Leader blamed the Air Commander of yesterday's defeat… or better: Megatron blamed the red and silver-white Seeker of his personal defeat. But he couldn't put the finger on the main reason.
He looked at the white and blue back of Thundercracker as he walked along a illuminated corridor… certainly this headquarters was far better than the one he knew back on his reality, but actually he was more worried about what was going to happen, or what he could expect of this seeker mech right now.
Suddenly, Thundercracker stopped and turned towards him.
"We've arrived", he informed simply.
The blue seeker taped a code on the big doors' console and they opened quickly, letting the two seekers to come inside. As they do, the gigantic warehouse's light turned on; before Starscream could realize of that, he found himself looking in amazement to the walls of the room: they were filled with hundreds and hundreds of energon cubes, some of them were pink, and others had several iridescent colours. He wondered how much time and effort the Decepticons on this reality wasted in getting such big amount of concentred energy. Thundercracker watched the walls and later, looked at the blue seeker.
"Well, let's start with this." His strong voice ordered.
The blue seeker just nodded, but when he disposed to say aloud certain word, something stopped him and he just transformed into his aerial mode with a sift move. Thundercracker just stared him with an indecipherable expression on his white face; he just raised an eyebrow as he watched how this odd seeker transformed: it was very similar to his, but yet, different. Thundercracker tilted his head aside as he said something in loud voice.
"It seems you're completely repaired."
"…I am", answered the blue plane. "It took me the whole night to repair my launchers, but I'm fine now."
Thundercracker just shrugged.
"Good for you." he said, "Now, open your storage compartment."
Starscream did so and his back was opened, revealing half dozen of big energon cubes, pink in colouring. Thundercracker moved himself towards them for removing them from their current place; then, he noticed something.
"An energon cube's left." He announced, "Where's it?"
"Ah, yes!" answered Starscream, "I had to use them for repairing my systems. I couldn't do that without enough energy."
"I see." Answered Thundercracker after a short silence, "Later we'll find out what happens with that."
"Why?" Starscream asked as the blue seeker extracted a pair of cubes from his storage compartment. "What do you mean with that?"
Thundercracker placed the cubes on a pile aside the wall, and turned to him. His expression was resigned.
"You don't know?... Every one of us has the right to keep two energon cubes for ourselves. They're distributed among us after every mission, they're our reward." He made a pause, "Of course Megatron has the right to keep more than just two cubes at once, as well Soundwave and… your counterpart."
Even in his jet mode, Starscream made a sudden move.
"My counterpart?" He exclaimed.
"Yeah," replied Thundercracker, "But since you aren't him, I don't know if Megatron will allow you to use a cube like this or not." He explained as he extracted the last pair of cubes and placed them with the rest of the collected cubes.
Then, he heard Starscream to transform back in his mech mode.
"Are you implying Megatron is going to punish me because I might use an energon cube in my own benefit?" he demanded to know. Thundercracker turned back and stared at him for long time.
"No." he answered finally, "He won't. He will not blame you or punish you only for that." He explained, "For him, you aren't like your counterpart."
Starscream jumped in his place and his blue optics widened in surprise. Thundercracker watched his expression lightly surprised: every emotion of the blue seeker was reflected on his white face, he couldn't hide his feelings at all. In that sense, both Starscream's were much alike
"Then, what?" he replied, "What do you mean by that, Thundercracker?"
His interlocutor was a little surprised by the way this Starscream addressed to him, he did as if he known him for so, so long.
"We must test the energon cubes before we store them." He just said flatly as he turned back to the piles, again.
"Don't give me your back to me!" exclaimed Starscream as he approached to the other blue seeker, "Just explain that to me!" he demanded.
Thundercracker stopped himself; he recognized the tone and what it meant. He sighed heavily as he realized he shouldn't have said that, as well this Starscream may have the same hell temper than the one he knew under the same circumstances.
"Ok, I will." He answered, defeated, "But help me with the energon cubes, too."
Starscream just nodded and kneel down to energon cubes' level.
As both blue and white seekers worked together, the one of stronger voice found himself surprised by the demeanour of his work companion. Thundercracker noticed this Starscream seemed to enjoy handy-works, to work using his hands; certainly, he could see the previous day how good a fighter this Starscream was, but now, he also got the chance, how well this seeker of blue optics worked in not-fighting related tasks. Nothing stranger: the Air Commander always had a lot of talents (which one of them was to piss off Megatron, indeed); therefore this Starscream in blue should be talented in something more than fighting.
But Thundercracker never thought that talent would be handy-works, moreover when he also realized than Starscream seemed to enjoy it.
In spite of such odd fact, the conversation between them was focused in a very different matter…
"…Megatron respect you, but he is also using you." Explained Thundercracker as he introduced a little sample of the pink energon to a tester player. "I've seen that since he accepted you here."
"Megatron does?", exclaimed Starscream as he repeated the test, this time licking his energon soaked finger "How surprising!" he mocked, Thundercracker looked at him carefully and later, turned his view back to the tester player.
"77 purity… That's good…" he noted, absently. "…Yes, he does." He inspired deeply, "He does it since he thought of you as another tool against your counterpart."
Starscream looked at Thundercracker sharply.
"So do you think that's what Megatron's doing with me since day one? Using me against my counterpart?" he related.
"Yes, indeed."
"That was what I expected…" he said taking apart an energon cube.
"You knew…?" wondered Thundercracker.
"Things aren't so different between this universe and in mine." He said flatly as he recorded the results of the last test.
Thundercracker stared in surprised at this Starscream, feeling confused. For first time, he realized he knew nothing about the blue one, but in the same time, he wanted to know in spite he was afraid about what he could find out. However, he was sure of something.
"No. Our realities aren't as similar as you think they are." He announced as he rose on his foot.
Starscream did the same.
"Really?... I don't understand what you want to say… In fact, I do not understand why you're saying all this to me, Thundercracker." He explained as he pointed at him with a dark finger. "Yesterday, you avoided me and left me behind…. And now, you're talking to me as if we know each other for so long, or you just want to be confident with me." He accused.
Thundercracker lowered his view to his foot.
"You're right." he sighed, "…I fact, I don't know why I'm doing this really." He raised his view and met the sharp look of a pair of blue optics "But perhaps I'm doing this because you're… different."
Starscream face was like to read an open book, a drama open book.
"I'm… what??"
Thundercracker nodded,
"Yes…¦ Yesterday, I saw you. I saw how you regretted to hurt those humans of the oil-station!" he explained, "You didn't want to hurt them; as well you don't want to be used like Megatron is doing with you." Starscream grunted, his interlocutor had found out the truth, "You cannot deny it; you're different than your counterpart!"
Starscream was in silent for long seconds, evaluating the gravity of Thundercracker's declarations. He didn't know, or he rather wasn't sure about what he could expect of them. What if the blue seeker' speech wasn't a declaration, but an accusation? Even if he had the feeling this Thundercracker was a trustful person, he didn't know if he could be sure of that.
In front of him, the blue seeker of red optics watched him with similar intentions. Thundercracker, the expert and mature seeker, had the feeling that, if he didn't attack this Starscream, he wouldn't be attacked by him.
Somebody who seemed to regret too many things couldn't be too mean, but he knew what could happen next.
"So…" finally the blue optics seeker dared to say, "What if I'm different than him?... It's natural; I'm from other reality, after all. If we both were the same, we're the same person in the same universe."
Thundercracker's red optics widened, he didn't expected such answer.
"I'm not an expert, but I guess…¦ it makes sense." He mussed, "But I don't want… you take it as a personal accusation."
"Which one?... Being different? Or regretting to attack weaker creatures?" Starscream teased with a grunt.
"Both." Thundercracker hesitated, "There is nothing wrong being different than Screamer, and not liking to attack people who cannot match us…" his tone was barely audible.
As Starscream listened to Thundercracker, an odd idea assaulted his mind.
"You… you say that like to be like my counterpart was a fault."
Thundercracker's red optics flashed. Starscream met an odd feeling in them, a mix of respect and… scorn? What meant those?... Or what Thundercracker meant to say with all this?
"I think it's a fault… I've seen that a lot of times." The blue seeker of red optics confessed finally.
"A Fault?" of course, Starscream's voice sounded indignant. He was tired of being despised in his universe, and now, he just realized by Thundercracker's words, his counterpart also was despised not only by Megatron, but the rest of the Decepticons. He couldn't put the finger on the cause, yet.
"Why you say that? I'm getting tired of listening bashing comments about me and my counterpart here and everywhere!... And I cannot understand why all you say that!" he almost shouted.
Thundercracker grunted; he didn't like the sudden humour changes on this Starscream, but he was quite sure Starscream's reasons were honourable somehow. He needed know the truth; it was obvious was aware about what was happening, in a personal level, as well with his counterpart. But he didn't know why.
"Starscream, your counterpart, is the Air Commander, the Second in Command after Megatron along Shockwave and Soundwave (1)… And we, the seekers, and all the air force respect him and follow him for that. Starscream is one of the best flyers I've met, and a great aerial warrior." Thundercracker began to explain, Starscream just remained in silence. "… But Starscream doesn't respect us, he uses us like tools...He even does not care to use us in order to get his personal objectives."
At this point, Starscream's jaw dropped, but he managed to close up it again with a low grunt; a succession of mixed emotions crossed his mind. Then, he understood: he had seen with his own optics the cruel behaviour of his counterpart, and how he didn't refuse to use blackmail. Even if he hasn't seen many examples of that, he understood what Thundercracker meant to say.
Now, he wondered how far his counterpart dared to go when he tried to get his objectives. The Air Commander should be very dangerous if Thundercracker said he didn't have any respect for anybody.
"You say that as he would attack you personally." he answered finally; his tone was a mix of accusatory and fear.
Thundercracker laughed, but his laughs faced away quickly.
"... I almost like you, Starscream." he answered, "You're naive." His smile seemed genuine. "Your counterpart has attacked me no more than the rest of us... which means nothing special."
Thundercracker never liked Starscream too much, but he was calm enough for being able to deal with him in spite sometimes he also had been target of Starscream's egoistical attitude. Starscream used to have more quarrels with Skywarp than him, but it wasn't something really estrange since Skywarp liked to tease everybody, and the Air Commander was one of Skywarp's favourite targets. However, the reasons he had to despise the Air Commander were different than only that; still, Thundercracker understood the necessity of keep the control and camaraderie between his wing mates, and therefore the blue seeker used to o what was necessary for calming his wingmates down.
"But your counterpart has tried to kill off us once time, even destroying this world." Thundercracker explained finally; his tone burned like acid in Starscream's wings.
"You say... my counterpart has tried to destroy this planet for his own sake?"
"You got it."
Starscream lowered his view, looking away, at the enormous piles of energon cubes instead of the tip of his feet. He remembered the time Megatron wanted to destroy the Earth, when the Decepticons (under Thrust's appreciation, than freak Conehead mech) believed they possessed all Minicons' power, and they tried to test it on Earth. He remembered the hard times and struggles he suffered when he was about to shoot the Hydra-cannon and destroy Earth with it. He did regretted to do that, it was nonsense, and, even if he wouldn't admit it openly, he wanted to respect the life of the Minicons who still being on Earth surface; but overall, he didn't want to kill humans, the only creatures who had showed any sort of respect for him.
The previous day, he had watched horrified how Skywarp and his counterpart killed off the humans with joy or just coldly. He could not do such a thing, he had learned to respect humans, overall those young ones who were friends of the Autobots. Slightly, he remembered how much admiration the fatty boy Fred had given him, who had claimed he was his personal hero... But overall, he remembered how much Alexis respected him and appreciated him. She tried to spend a lot of time with him, along her female Minicon, Sureshock (2), and both females seemed to care for him deeply, or at least Alexis did: Sureshock might be with her because it seemed females used to like being together. However, Alexis even had the idea of making him a present, a cover to polish his Minicons...
They never knew that, but Starscream wasn't grateful with them for such demonstration of respect for him, but because a cover, an item made of fabric, was a very rare and expensive item among Transformers, only Primus priests and very high ranks could have such things. Being him just a warrior, he was very lucky having such a possession. How could he attack them? How could he do such a thing when he saw how much they respected him only because he got a Martian rock for them, and saved a new Minicon?... The blue seeker sighed heavily as he realized of something more.
"Stupid human female... You tried to fool me..." he mussed. Ironically, their respect was one of the main causes of his current situation.
But his counterpart didn't think like that, he was a very high rank, and he didn't seem to care for anything than his own objectives... So did his counterpart dare to destroy Earth without any direct command of Megatron? For his own will? Why? And how?... Well, that was almost a technical questions since in this universe there weren't Minicons, but perhaps there are other powerful weapons available in this universe.
Thundercracker thought this Starscream was closer to finding out the truth about his counterpart, the Air Commander. He wasn't sure about the real reason why he was telling this Starscream all those deeds about his counterpart, but again, when he had been sure of something? Perhaps he was right and he was doing that because he had the feeling this Starscream was more honourable than his namesake, or perhaps he was just warning him in order to avoid future confrontations... The truth was since the Air Commander had been exiled from the Decepticon army any years ago, when he created the Combaticons army, was the last time Starscream tried to destroy Earth and Megatron with it. In fact, he seemed to realize he needed of the rest of the D-con army for fighting the cause...
"Wait a minute!" he thought "When Starscream's had fought for the Decepticon cause and not for himself?"Thundercracker hadn't the answer; Starscream's behavior contradicted itself in almost everything he did.Of course, the other Starscream, the one of blue optics, had the same question in mind.
"Why does he do that?" his tone was confused, "Why does he attack his own companions?"
Now, Thundercracker was sure this Starscream wasn't anything like his counterpart... Except for those sudden humour changes of his, perhaps.
"Because he claims he wants to be the supreme leader of the Decepticons." The blue seeker of red optics answered quietly with his strong voice.
Starscream gasped, and Thundercracker raised an eyebrow as the blue seeker saw an air of shame crossed Starscream's face. Shame? Regret? Why this Starscream would feel shame of that declaration? Was it regret for his counterpart?
The seeker of blue optics managed to get back his composure with a low grunt.
"I see now..." was Starscream's only response.
Megatron grunted as the last little joint mechanism in his leftshoulder was welded by Soundwave. For his personal repairs, he trusted more in Soundwave than the Constructicons since they demonstrate they wanted his rank, as well Starscream did. But Soundwave was different: Megatron could trust on him along the objectives of them both were the same... and actually Soundwave hasn't any reason to leave him damaged. Megatron could be relaxed; Soundwave will repair him with his usual efficiency and he wouldn't dare to attack or damage him.
As his Communicators officer did his job, Megatron's mind was crossed by different thoughts. Actually, he was more calmed, he had relaxed his anger towards the traitor Skyfire with Starscream (nothing wrong here, it was his fault) Now, his main preoccupation was the sake of the energon cubes his forces recollected yesterday... after they were tested, his soldiers will get their payment, and the rest of the cubes will be keep to be sent to Cybertron: the usual procedure. As soon as Thundercracker and the other Starscream would finish their report, the energon cubes distribution may be done. He was glad this weird
Starscream got back the HQ with his energon shipment, among other many deeds.
Megatron smiled to himself, as usual.
As Soundwave repaired Megatron's shoulder, he perceived his leader's thoughts, they were clear. The Communicators officer noticed Megatron trusted him, at least in his current situation, and actually he hasn't any reason for betraying Megatron right now. He just expected to get all the information available in order to be aware about what was happening really. Soundwave knew more things than Megatron; he knew this Starscream wasn't really pleased with what was happening in this universe, he also knew this Starscream was hiding important facts, and he could be really powerful. But the most disquieting fact was
Soundwave knew this Starscream wasn't alone, there was somebody with him... and he had no idea where, or who was.
Soundwave wanted to know the truth about this Screamer badly, but he didn't get the chance to send Lazerbeak or other of his cassettes to spy the seeker of blue optics. He could have done it, but he was repairing Megatron, and Soundwave didn't dare to send Lazerbeak for his personal quests in front of the Decepticon leader's noise.
However, as soon as he will find himself alone, he'll do it.
Soundwave had strong feelings this blue Starscream was more than meets the eye.
The previous day and the night before had been really hard working. The scientist crew in the Ark had been analyzing the samples of Cybertronian alloy conscientiously all the time, but till that moment, they couldn't' find anything new or relevant besides Skyfire's supposition about the real origin of those samples. Their fatigue stroked on them, and they well falling asleep in their places inside the laboratory.
Ratchet was the first one to fall sleep; he was the most tired since he was repairing his companions, and later, he began to work in the investigation about the Cybertronian alloy samples, and finally, he ended his day lying on a coach. As Wheeljack noticed Ratchet had been too quiet for several minutes, he had approached him, and, as soon as he noticed Ratchet was asleep, he just left him alone; the technician was well aware about Ratchet's tiredness, as well his ill temper when Ratchet was disturbed by something. Ratchet wasn't a bad guy, but he used to act harshly towards his companions when the odds seemed to be against him, his work, and his current state. However, the rest of scientist crew couldn't keep working and felt asleep soon after that.
Since any couch in the rooms which formed the Ark's laboratory wasn't big enough for him, Skyfire finished with his arms crossed on a studio desk, and his head lying over them; it wasn't the best place for a good sleep, but he wasn't too tired for being worried for that, and, as long his wings weren't touched, it didn't matter. He just felt sleep in the middle of the night, and surely his companions, Wheeljack and Preceptor did the same.
When the next morning came, his audio-receptors began to perceive several activities inside the Ark; the rest of his companions were starting to do their daily tasks, but he wasn't really fond on waking up yet, it was too soon and he still very tired. But his companions didn't seem to care about his current situation: It began with a low murmur than was getting louder till he heard clearly it was a deep discussion between Blaster and Jazz.
Then, he woke up with a start when a sudden noise came to his audio receptors:
"I Want It All I Want It All I Want It All. And I Want It Now---
I Want It All I Want It All I Want It All. And I Want It Now ---
Listen All You People Come Gather Round..."
The music of the human's group called "Queen" resonated in the Ark, and Skyfire couldn't help than wake up and rise from the desk with a grunt of disgust. If those earthling music freaks were going to be listening rock music, he couldn't sleep for longer time... Perhaps resting inside his personal quarters would be a better idea. He passed his hand over his face, and went outside of the laboratory's quarters. The, he realized his energon reserves were quite low and he needed some energy recharge now. Then, as he passed by the hall placed in front of the laboratory' section, he noticed Blaster and Jazz were over the music reproducer as they chatted about the song they were listening."Oh, man! That's good!" exclaimed Blaster.
"Yeah... I lov' this one," Jazz answered, "But I'm intrigued 'bout the special song for the Olympic Games."
"What Special song?" asked Blaster.
"I heard them say it on TV news. The "Queen" leader was goin' to sing the next Olympic Games' main theme!" Jazz explained.
"Really?" Blaster exclaimed, "I think that stuff's too harsh for human's taste sense in that inauguration."
"Well, the TV news said he was going to sing with an Opera singer."
"An Opera singer?" exclaimed a surprised Blaster, "It's a crazy idea."
"I also think so..." Jazz sighed.
But they both couldn't keep talking; Skyfire saw how Prime approached them with a determinate look on his masked face. He looked briefly at the gigantic mech, and later, at the two joyful mechs.
"Jazz, Blaster..." his tone was as if he would be giving a reprimand to them both, "Turn off that music; we have job to do."
"But Prime..."
"Not 'buts', Blaster... It's important." Jazz, being more aware about what could be happening, looked at Prime, and later to Blaster.
"Okay, Blaster... Forget it, Prime's right!"
"Hrmf!" the red Cassette host grunted and turned off the music.
As the red and golden mech did so, Skyfire had the feeling Prime relaxed himself lightly. He also saw how Jazz and Blaster left the place and went out; Skyfire was sure Prime also wanted to talk with him, besides making them to stop that slagging music.
"Ah, Skyfire..." he said in casual tone.
"Yes, Prime?"
"I was looking for you," the Prime explained, "But I couldn't find you in your quarters."
The giant in white, nodded lightly,
"Yeah, I've spent all the night inside of the laboratories with Preceptor and rest of the boys... I was about to take some energon, now."
"May I to accompany you?" Prime asked.
"Sure."
After several minutes, Skyfire found himself more awake as he drank short sips of pink-y energon originated by the volcanic activity under the Ark. At first, he felt uneasy since he thought Optimus also will drink energon with him, what also meant Prime will remove the mask of his face in order to drink energon. As far Skyfire knew, nobody had seen the Autobot Leader without his mask and, in spite the respect Skyfire felt for Prime and the long chats and talks they had shared time to time, he didn't want to enjoy such honour.
However, Optimus just sit down across him in a little table in a corner of the recharge room as it was getting filled of the rest of the Ark's crew. Fortunately for Optimus, nobody seemed to pay attention to him and Skyfire, except for some occasional "Good morning, Prime... Skyfire."
"Hmmm... I needed this," sighed Skyfire felling better, "I haven't recharged in almost two days."
"Haven't you?" asked Prime with curiosity.
"Hmmm, " the white mech nodded "The Russian scientists gave several energon reserves for recharging myself as I was investigating Tundra's fauna, but since the Decepticon attack..." his voice trailed off.
"I see..." was Prime's emphatic response "... And, speaking of which, we've got news from them." Skyfire raised his view with a silent question in his blue optics "They told us you shouldn't go back to the
Tundra's investigations for now... The Russian government is too busy trying to fix the Decepticons' attack now and they don't want Transformers' interferences."
"Slag!.. I just wanted..." cursed Skyfire as he exhaled a sad sight, "I just wanted to do something different than to be a warrior in one side of this war... And now..."
"I know, 'Fire; I know..." said Optimus softly.
They were in silence for any minutes, only interrupted by Skyfire' soft sips of energon, and the murmur of the rest of conversations. Finally, when the energon cube was almost empty, the gigantic mech in white looked at Prime with a questioning look on his blue optics.
"You don't want to talk with me only for saying the Russian' scientist request, do you?"
Optimus' answer wasn't a relief.
"Yes... I wanted to ask you about the investigation and the blue seeker you met."
"It's too soon for an answer, Prime." Skyfire sighed, "I don't know if those Cybertronian samples are related with that mech, really. It's just a supposition of mine based on what that seeker told me."
"I understand that, but it isn't what I meant to ask you."
Skyfire raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you?"
"Hmmmm", Prime nodded; then, he inspired deeply, "I wanted to ask you... Do you think, if you meet that seeker again, you will able to make him to talk with me?"
"What!?"
Swindle went out the asseum room after cleaning himself up. He had been all the time with his master since Starscream didn't allow the Minicon to separate of himself because he was afraid about what could happen if Swindle was discovered. Therefore Swindle barely had any time for himself, and now, he was enjoying some freedom and taking care of his body for once time since they both arrived to this reality... How could he collect so much dust in his joints? He should take care of those.
When he came into the main room, he found his master was sitting down on his recharge bed with his elbows resting over his knees and looking thoughtfully at two big energon cubes, one of them in pink, and other in iridescent tones. Swindle also noticed his master's color scheme had changed again; now, his face, wings, launchers, forearm and forelegs were in white. Step by step, Starscream was getting back his old coloring, and, at this point, he seemed to be familiarized with the phenomenon... Every time his body suffered a repair season, or he rested for a long period, his body seemed to begin to metamorphose itself somehow, but Starscream didn't care for that anymore. It was just a coloring change, isn't it? His power seemed to be the same even if his color scheme wouldn't change like that.
However, Swindle couldn't stop himself and beeped in wonder to his master.
"I know, Swindle... That's ok."
Swindle shrugged, and then, looked at the two energon cubes, and later, to his master. Then, he beeped again.
"I already consumed mine, Swindle" he explained, "I shared mine with you, remember?"
The Minicon nodded in agreement.
"I should give them to my counterpart..." he mussed. "That Soundwave guy ordered me to give those cubes to him." Starscream explained.
The Minicon noticed than his master was upset by something; he almost could put a finger on the reasons for that, but actually, he also noticed than his master felt quite uneasy when he talked about the Communications Officer. Swindle could understand why: Soundwave was telepathic, and he might find out his existence, so they both, Swindle and his master, always were very quiet when the mech of the big red optic was around.
On the other hand, Starscream was still feeling confused as usual, but his later chat with Thundercracker made him more confused. The blue seeker had made some revelations about his counterpart that Starscream didn't know how do deal with; it wasn't nothing new since every later event in Starscream's life was confusing enough to make him unable to deal with them.. But now, Starscream didn't know what opinion he should have about his counterpart. Soundwave had given him the order to carry that couple of energon cubes to his counterpart, the part which belonged to him after the last raid, and the experience had taught to the Seeker of blue optics than perhaps, there was an ulterior motive for that... Soundwave made him remember that bastard Sideways.
The blue seeker hadn't seen his counterpart since the Air Commander had been beaten by Megatron, and that memory disturbed him deeply, in spite the later discoveries about his counterpart. Starscream was facing a task than he didn't feel sure enough to affront.
Then, as if Swindle would be able to understand his master's thoughts, he beeped in serious mode. The blue seeker stared at him, half surprised half decided.
"Yes, you're right... It's time to deal with this." He announced.
Then, he rose on his foot, took the energon cubes and placed them inside his charge compartment, and walked out of his quarters as Swindle jumped and connected himself on Starscream's left forearm.
Neither of them noticed a red and black bird that was watching them.
The room was dark, as was his mood. The only lights inside the quarter were the ones than entered by the huge round windows from the exterior of the HQ and the bright light of the screen monitor; the atmosphere inside the great room was odd, and the Wagner music made it even estranger (2), the Second Act of the first scene of "The Walkiria" was sounding in the room, and, for some odd reason, Starscream liked it.
nitch heílig ist çihrn was andem
hehrverjaBt ist es Allen und mir.
Zur Rache ward ich gerufen,
Siihne zu nehmen für Sippen Blut:
zu spät karn ich, und kehrte nin heim,
des flücht'gen Frevlers Spur
irn eig'nen Haus zu erspäh'n(2a)
Since he didn't have anything more interesting to do as he recovered himself on his injures, and since he wasn't in his best mood, he killed off his time with human's entertainments, something he could mock of them without thinking hardly about it. Starscream had found the best way to make fun of humans was watching their TV channels: doing that, the Air Commander had access to the worst of human's culture, and he didn't need to study them deeply; humans seems to enjoy whatever kind of storytelling things and their TV programs used to be focused on that.
Is spite of that, Starscream, being curious by nature, had been more intrigued about humans' culture and history after his accidental time travel into the past. He just didn't feel well with himself when he saw he didn't even know humans dressed up themselves with metal in their past. So he began to study human's culture and history when he could get back to his time, and was that time when he found out Wagner's music, which he actually liked and he listened now. His computerized mind allowed him to listen to music as he was dealing with other tasks and he used to do it when he had the feeling he wanted to do it.
In his studies, Starscream had found very interesting things about humans besides music. He didn't think on those things as "interesting" because they were amazing, but because they were useful: Starscream had found a lot of things about humans' cultures and history which were useful to him and the Decepticon Cause: in fact, many of them had been used in the Decepticons' later plans for getting energy.
But humans, still being puny and manageable creatures; they though on themselves as the best beings over Earth surface, a creature who destroyed their world and their kind unceremoniously, who though on themselves as the most intelligent creatures over Earth, and a long etcetera. Under Starscream's POV, humans weren't so different than other mammals living on Earth, they were very closer to apes, and their stupid overconfidence didn't allow them to realize how they acted. Humans spent their time fighting for their short lives very much alike than apes: using policy, fighting each other, lying and manipulating... they even used sex as a weapon in very disturbing ways for getting their objectives! Humans were so puny than their own instincts were useful to manipulate among themselves!
Starscream didn't find those very disturbing as he was manipulative and used to lie, but humans' attempts of those were just amusing: how could a human think he was superior to the rest? What kind of aptitudes he had for thinking like that? Could they fly? Could they have any power than none other human had? No, was the answer. So, what kind of skill they had over the rest of their kind? None.
Besides, humans were so egocentric than he didn't realize of the things than cut their possible future progress. Religion, for example: Starscream had found out more primitive human religions were polytheist, and they adored several gods which happen to bring unknown nature phenomenon's like storm's flashes and such; he had seen that in other many cultures across the universe. But more modern human' religions were monotheists, like Transformers were. The Air Commander, being himself scientist minded, never cared really much for all those stores and myths about Unicron and Primus or the whole Matrix thing, the divine object than helped Transformers to contact with Primus. His only acceptation was the fact Primus was an important element in Transformers culture and in Transformers mind; Primus was the only real God. Therefore, he found amusing how many "Gods" humans had: Yavhe, Ala, Bahaman, etc, etc... Humans even had wars in name of their primitive Gods!
In short, humans were limited by their short fleshing skills, their instincts, their religions and cultures... and basically, their weakness. What could they do against the sort of creatures TF's were? Even if humans' technology was advancing a lot thanks to Autobots' help in the later years, they still were beings far inferior to Deceptions.
But this time, he wasn't in mood of studying anything right now, just making an easy fun on them.
The images of the screen were changed quickly as the Air Commander turned the TV channels he watched them...
Suddenly, a picture of a boy with yellow face and big rounded yes, exclaimed:
"Multiply yourself by cero!"
"D'oh!" answered a new picture of a fat human with yellow skin, too.
Starscream chuckled; sometimes even humans had some good speeches. But he changed the channel, again. He wasn't interested in any of those cartoon series right now.
"... Todo está siendo preparado para las próximas Olimpiadas de Barcelona '92..."(3a) said a human woman with a microphone in front of her wet mouth. In the background, a great stadium could be seen.
Such puny creatures humans were: they spent all their time destroying their home-planet and fighting among themselves, and every four years, all their nations celebrate those friendly Olympic Games to demonstrate the best thing of their physical training status as if nothing even happened.
Starscream changed the TV channel once again...
"But, Brenda... I promised you..."
"That's enough, Dylan; I'm getting tired of..."
The Air commander grunted. "90210---Beverly Hills", another sample of the stupid and banal humans. The only thing he found amusing was he once heard that the Aerialbots liked that stuff a lot. This was a proof of A-bots stupidity, too.
Once again, he turned out the TV channel:
"今年天气是..." said a voice in off. "一场突如其来的浩劫席卷了..."(3b)
Again, a new image appeared in the screen; Starscream could see several houses were half destroyed by big rivers of water and mud. Starscream shrugged; humans' problems didn't concern him, it was their fault to suffer such disasters.
Then, a new TV channel said something more interesting... It was a TV Russian channel, and a news report was being emitted.
"Decepticonsатаковало эту станцию масла 2 дня тому назад…"(3c)
In the background, the Air Commander could see the smoking rest of the oil station; it was hard to believe the fire of the pipe line had been extinguished. The fire had been an accident, it would be better to keep the pipeline in perfect conditions in order to get more energy, but it was ruined. Anyway, it was sure the Autobots were the ones who extinguished the fire, and now, the TV news will began to run about how many humans died in their attack; how many things they destroyed, how wonderful the Autobots are and blah, blah, blah... As the TV screen showed different scenes of their mission's results, the Wagner music still was resonating in the room:
Mein Haus hüted, Wôlfing, dich heut';
fúr die Nacht nahm ich dich auf:
mit starker Wadde doch wehre ich
morgen;
zum Karnpfe kies'ich den Tag:
fúr Todte zahlst du mir Zoll(2b)
Humans weren't hypocritical, only, they also were stupid: they could not see Decepticons were their masters and superior to them in everything. How dare they to judge the Decepticons like that?
Starscream's thoughts were interrupted by a ring call and some knock on his quarters' main door. He jumped off the coach where he was lying and wondered who could be in the other side of his main door. The Air Commander didn't used to get visits except for duty labours. What happened know? Wasn't Megatron satisfied enough with one of his stupid ideas? Or Soundwave was just too boring? Or the Constructicons were about to make a visit in order to check out his current condition? Anyway, Starscream wasn't in good conditions to affront a great deal, now. He just turned off the Wagner's music.
"Come in." he said as he turned a button on the music control panel.
The doors opened and he heard some footsteps on the metallic ground; he aimed one of his rifles to the mech who just entered in his personal quarters. Then, in the dim light inside his main room, he could recognize the figure of his counterpart with his long wings and the glow of his disturbing blue optics. The figure stopped at short distance in front of him, he was aware the Air Commander was aiming at him with one of his rifles and glared at him with his brightly blue optics
The quarters' main door shut down with a hiss, heard in spite of the TV's noise. Starscream could see the characteristic mock smile of his counterpart's mouth even if his face was that dark.
"Oh, it's you!" he exclaimed. His tone was almost surprised, but inside him, the Air Commander grunted: he hated being seen like this, moreover if he was seeing by his counterpart.
"Hey, TC! You're here!" Exclaimed Skywarp as he saw how his friend entered in the bar-room.
The blue seeker looked briefly at the dark purple one, and later, to the surrounding people: the rest of the Seekers, the Coneheads, also were there. Then, he walked towards his wingmates and caught a little energon cube than Skywarp was handling to him.
"Thanks." He said simply as he caught it and raised the energon cube to his lips.
Skywarp looked at him with his usual naughty smile, then, he turned briefly to Trust and looked back to the blue seeker.
"Did you have some fun?" he asked, "Trust'd spent a great time collecting slaging pieces of the Screamer." he explained in mocking tone as he looked at the read Conehead of yellow optics.
"You dare...!?" exclaimed Trust, but he was interrupted by Ramjet,
"Oh, take it easy. It doesn't matter"
The red Conehead just grunted, but Dirge also asked,
"What about you, TC?"
Thundercracker looked at them for long time as his hand tightened the energon cube.
"Yeah, what happened with the creepy Screamer?" asked Skywarp.
"...We were workin'--- testing the energon cubes." He said as he drank a sip of energon.
"And?" chorused the rest of the seekers
The blue seeker grunted, he felt a little disturbed by his wingmates' attitude, but overall, he didn't want to tell anything about his previous chat with the other Starscream. The blue seeker of red optics had realized he could trust this Starscream; the blue one was far different and honest than his Air Commander. But, in his wingmates' optics, this Screamer was just a bizarre mech, and they only wanted to find something for making fun of him. Thundercracker didn't want such thing happening, even less to find himself in a compromised position because what he told to this Starscream.
He hoped Skywarp noticed he didn't want to talk, but Skywarp never was really smart, and he loved to make fun of everything in order to be popular among the rest of the Decepticons soldiers. So, Thundercracker knew he couldn't count on his friend with this. He decided to show indifference, finally.
"...We were workin'--- that's all." He explained with a shrug, "In fact, he's pretty good worker." his tone showed admiration, and that intrigued his companions.
"Good worker?", exclaimed Trust, "That wing-sword freak is a good worker? Don't make me laugh!"
"... I dunno" added Ramjet "Perhaps that wing-sword of his is repugnant... but I was shocked when he attacked that Aerialbot and sliced him with it."
"As I did." added Thundercracker.
"Why do you say it, TC?" wondered Dirge, "The pipeline exploded by his fault... If he wouldn't attack the Aerialbot, TC wouldn't lose the control of his sonic bomb and the pipeline wouldn't explode."
So what?" exclaimed Ramjet, "It wouldn't change anything... Megatron ordered the retreat when he got shot by that Skyfire mech."
Thundercracker shipped a new gulp of energon in order to cover his face. He didn't want his thoughts about the matter public in the canteen, even if nobody besides the seekers, were listening to them.
If his final conclusion about this Starscream was right, the one of blue optics wasn't anything like the Air Commander... except for some traits of his personality, perhaps. He remembered quite well the horror expression on the face of the blue seeker when that Starscream found out that he had made to explode the pipeline accidentally;
Thundercracker also remembered his facial expression when Starscream saw what Megatron was doing to his counterpart. The blue seeker still couldn't put a finger on his reasons, but he had become fond on this Starscream, in fact, he wondered if the similar colouring scheme between him and this Starscream meant something: they both were blue, white and some spots of grey, and the colour scheme of a Transformers was related with his/her personality in the same way as his/her name... therefore, it wasn't unusual that Starscream was so similar to him.
All those deeds made he wouldn't be pleased with his wingmates' attitude.
"It wasn't Screamer's fault..." mused Thundercracker, absently.
Skywarp laughed,
"Which one?" he mocked.
"You know what I mean to say, 'Warp." The blue seeker answered.
"Does it matter?" exclaimed Trust.
Thundercracker shrugged.
"The truth is this guy has more skill than I thought he would." announced Ramjet.
"Yeah, but it didn't stop the Auto-crash." Pointed Trust.
Dirge sighed heavily.
"Could ja' stop that, pliz?" he complained, "We've been talkin' about the Siberian mission for hours, and I'd like to forget anything related with job. I had to make the reports!"
"Not only you, Dirge." Pointed Ramjet, "Me too."
"Okay, then!" the black and purple seeker laughed, "But who'll be my next target, then?" he complained.
"Pick on Rumble and Frenzy, as usual." suggested Thundercracker with a smile on his lips.
In spite of the laser rifle than was aiming at them, Swindle wasn't afraid at all. To his master's surprise, the blue Minicon run towards his master's counterpart and jumped on him. The Air Commander was so surprised than he couldn't help but seeing how that creature comes on him as a pet would do; the other Starscream also was amazed: why Swindle did such thing? Wasn't he afraid of his counterpart after all the later events? The little Minicon always had been reckless, but this time it was more dangerous than usual. The blue seeker didn't know what he could do to stop his little companion.
Starscream gasped as he saw how the little creature beeped on his lap in joy; at first, he wanted to take it off him violently, but he remembered than that thing had the incredible skill of powering up other transformers... to his counterpart, indeed. So, he repressed the wish of smashing it and looked at his counterpart, who seemed a little more relaxed because of it.
"What da' ya want?" he asked harshly.
"I've come because I have to give you something." His counterpart answered coldly; he didn't want to start a fight with his counterpart, but he wanted to watch him.
Starscream's optics widened lightly, and he exclaimed,
"What?"
His counterpart, the blue one, opened his cargo compartment and extracted a couple of energon cubes.
"Take them." He said as he handled them to his counterpart "This is your pay."
The Air commander looked at the two energon cubes, one in pink and the other in iridescent colours, and looked back at his counterpart. Then, he nodded, caught them and left them at his side. Usually, he would keep them inside his personal energon supply closet, but he wasn't in mood of moving himself too much.
"Thanks!... It's pleasing to see somebody remembers me in this Quarters." He answered.
The blue seeker raised an eyebrow ridge, he knew that speech had been sarcastic, but he wasn't sure if his counterpart talked about him or the rest of the D-cons crew. He knew his counterpart used to speak sarcastically about almost everything, but he didn't know him well enough for catching the sense. Then, the Air Commander added,
"Who ordered to you giving me those energon cubes?... Or was you who wanted to give me them?"
Starscream looked at his counterpart; he seemed to be evaluating the right answer.
"I knew the energon cubes were distributed among the soldiers according with their rank..." he explained, "But It was the Communicators Officer who ordered me to gave them to you."
"What!? Soundwave!?" exclaimed the Air Commander, suddenly.
His counterpart nodded, he wasn't sure about why this Starscream was so excited.
"Yes, he was in charge now... since you cannot display your rank in your current status."
The Air Commander reclined himself on his coach with a lousy grunt.
"Soundwave... you, hypocritical bastard." He murmured.
Starscream, the blue one, stared at his counterpart as he wanted to get some information. Even if the lights inside the quarter were pretty dim, he could see the Air Commander's personal quarters were far bigger than his own, and there were several rooms' doors around the main living room; he guessed what some of them, but others were, he had no idea. But overall, under the blue light of the ocean than entered by the huge windows, he noticed his counterpart physic condition wasn't the best: certainly many scraps on his armour had already disappeared, but the wounds still being open, he was connected a vital support machine, and his paintjob colouring was quite dim. Yes, certainly the Air Commander wasn't in his best, and Starscream was quite sure he could beat his counterpart easily, right now even if he had found the Air Commander was the Air Commander because of his powerful skills.
"---And other things, too. I bet." thought Starscream to himself.
"Ok... And did you want something more?" the Air Commander asked cockily; his counterpart remembered that was the usual talking style of the Air Commander.
"Actually, no. Not a real order." He answered, "But I wanted to see how you are."
Starscream's red optics widened in surprise.
"Ooooh! That's just wonderful." He mocked "First off, that fool Megatron beats me till I cannot even move because something that was NOT my fault. Later, he sent Soundwave, the muting freak one, to give my Energon reward... And you, my counterpart from other universe, is the only one who cares a bit for my own sake!"
The seeker of blue optics listened to him in wonder: was his counterpart making sarcastic comments about what had happened, or was he regretting it? Two words resonated in his audios, "fool" and "cares". This Starscream thought his leader was a fool, and apparently, he regretted nobody cared for him so much... But, was it because the Air Commander wanted the leadership? Starscream wasn't sure: if his counterpart was more like him, he knew the Air Commander didn't like to be pitied.
"I saw the beating Megatron gave to you." The blue Starscream said and his counterpart looked at him sharply, "So I wanted to check if you were right."
The red and silver Starscream looked away, towards the energon cubes, as Swindle beeped.
"My Minicon also thought we should do it." He explained.
"I don't need your pity!" He replied coldly, "I am Starscream, the mighty! I am the Air Commander of Decepticons Air Forces on Earth and Cybertron! I am a warrior, the best warrior on Cybertron, not a wannabe Autobot... I do not need that!" he almost shouted, his tone dropped arrogance; his words were a funny contrast with his current status.
"I don't know why Megatron beat you." His counterpart answered like if he wasn't heard the Air Commander's previous speech. "But I didn't see why he did such a thing. You did a good work in the oil station." He affirmed Starscream grunted; it was ironic the one who had made the pipeline explode, and the one who had left behind, was the one who was telling him the truth.
"Megatron is a FOOL... Every time he commands a mission, all we get is slaged!... He has no rights in beating me because his stupid schemes do not work!... He has no right to beat me because he gets shot!"
The blue seeker's jaw dropped. He could understand his counterpart's reasons very well, but overall, he had got a reliable reason about why Megatron had beat his counterpart like that. It was something about a "being shot" and a "traitor". Starscream suddenly remembered the big mech in white, the one he messed up with Jetfire, had been the one who shot Megatron in the shoulder. He could see why Megatron was mad, but he couldn't put a finger on the reason the Decepticon Leader had for blaming his counterpart for that.
Suddenly, the Air Commander's expression changed from anger to curious. He looked at the Minicon thing, which had been next to him all the time, and looked back to his counterpart.
"I saw you fighting against the Autobots," he began to say, "And you're quite good... I'm not surprised because you're my counterpart." He made a pause, and looked to his namesake directly in his blue optics. "But you didn't use your Minicon. Why?"
The blue Starscream's loyalty sense made him to give the real answer.
"I am afraid Swindle could be found out. It wouldn't be good for us both--- and probably, these universes since Minicons are related with Unicron." He thought for himself; the blue seeker didn't feel confident enough to confess his counterpart the whole Unicron' story.
"I see. You're right." The Air Commander answered with a smile. "However, I'd like to now something."
The seeker of blue optics looked at his counterpart in wonder.
"What?"
"I want to know how this Minicon of yours works... A real demonstration." Was Starscream's answer, "I command it."
"Laserbeak, report" said Soundwave's monotone voice as the Cassettcon entered inside the Communicator's officer room. This time, Laserbeak found his master was waiting him in a martial pose, something unusual when his master was alone with his Cassettcons; however, he just jumped inside his master thoracic cavity as he transformed in his alternative form.
Soon, his master began to play all the information the Cassettcon had been able to collect. Soundwave listened Laserbeak's report in silence: he heard the conversation between the blue Starscream and the beeping thing, again; later, he heard the discussion between the two seekers... there wasn't something odd in that. He heard the Air Commander's cocky speeches, and his complains about his current situation... Nothing new here, and Soundwave didn't really care for those; still, the other Starscream, in spite his usual mental confusion status, took easily his counterpart's whinnies. But,finally, he got some interesting information about the beeping thing: its name was Swindle, it was something called a "Minicon" and, apparently, it had the skill of powering up the blue Starscream.
Soundwave wasn't sure, but the odd structure they had found attached to the seeker of blue optics' left arm, might be that creature: they both seemed to be linked somehow, and now, he had just found the beeping thing could give his master a great power.
And the Air Commander also knew that, and was quite intrigued...
Finally, Soundwave had found what that being that talked with the other Starscream was. And he wasn't pleased at all, but anxious, the "Unicron" word still resonating inside his mind.
He should collect more information.
Things weren't working right, exactly. The Minicon hadn't been found out, yet... only the subject and his counterpart knew about his existence, and even worse than just that: both identities seemed to get along to each other quite well, in spite of the odds. He hadn't expected such a thing, he had expected something more efficient in his plans, but it was being ruined because the Megatron of this reality... That egocentric fool has the power of slaging all his own schemes.
But the worse thing was the subject had managed to contact with his former adversaries, and he had warned them about what could happen. That wasn't good at all!
Still, there was a hope, yet. The Communicators officer seemed to have his own plans, and he was trying to collect more information about what was happening, really. He didn't know if this Officer could be a good tool, he seemed to be very much alike the Tactician Officer, but he wasn't sure about the Communicators Officer, yet. He should collect more information about him.
NOTES:
(1)Since the cartoon never was really clear on this point, I think this is the D-cons' rank line.
(2) In fact, Sureshock is female, according with her canon profile.
(3) At first, I thought it was jus a fan-rumour, but certainly one of the Starscream's reincarnations enjoys Wagner's music.
(3a) I know a riotous race;
not holy it holds what men revere:
'tis hated by all and by me.
For vengeance forth was I summoned,
payment to win me for kinsmen's
blood;
too late came I, and now return
home,
(3b) My house holds thee, Wölfing, today;
for the night, safe by the rest;
with trusty weapon denfen thee
tomorrow;
I choose the day for the fight:
as death-beth pay'st thou thy life.
(4a) It's in Spanish. It says: "...Every thing will be ready for the coming Olympic Games in Barcelona..."
(4b) It's simplified Chinese. It says: "The sudden catastrophes are happening at..." Thank you to Lewei for editing this.
(4c) The Decepticons attacked this oil station two days ago.