[closed]

[starscheme]

Who: Starscream, Knock Out, Breakdown, and... Megatron.
Where: Starscream's "base of operations", well outside LA.
When: Early march, not too long after Breakdown's rescue. Sundown.
What: Starscream gathers his meager forces together to talk about how screwed they all are, only to be rudely reminded that they aren't actually his forces to begin with.
Warnings: Nothing yet but if there isn't some really horrendous violence coming we'll all be very surprised.

"All things considered, Breakdown... I am impressed."

The three of them were gathered at the cave that they were, at least for the time being, calling a base of operations. It was an unimpressive location, but one that served its purpose nonetheless: several stories above the level desert below (a deliberate decision on Starscream's part to discourage any human interference), it was safe, dry, and most importantly, sported a reasonable vein of energon within. He had a steadily growing stash of pilfered electronics and other components useful for both medical purposes and patching together a communications booster, when the time came.

The seeker himself was in his typical "menacingly agitated" pose: hands clasped behind his back, jaw set firm and pacing a goddamn hole in the ground just outside the mouth of the cave. He finally stopped and studied the newly arrived warrior, one brow raised thoughtfully. He certainly looked as though he'd seen better days. Knockout had done what he could with the supplies they had, and for Starscream's part he did his best to bring back useful parts (mainly in the interest of restoring another useful warrior to his cause, but also with the added bonus of potentially mollifying an affronted Knockout), but there was only so much they could do.

"I've heard rumors of this TRIDENT before, but had always dismissed their reputation as being the blustering of easily impressed humans... but if what you say is true..." He scowled. It made the energon in his veins boil with rage, thinking of a human daring to lay a hand on even the most pitiful of Cybertronians, let alone one of his fellow Decepticons. 

"Well, their fate was sealed the moment they dared even lay eyes upon you. We'll make them pay for what they've done, that much I can promise you... Possibly sooner than I'd hoped."

He turned and looked back out at the desert once more. "However That still leaves us with our main problem... which Knockout has, no doubt, filled you in on." 

Comments

[buffthis]

Scrap.

That's all Knock Out can really think as Megatron's voice fills the cavern, striking dread right into his spark. No. No way. How could he be here -- now? As if afraid to confirm what he hears with his optics, Knock Out turns slowly, but Megatron's imposing figure on the edge of his vision as he faces him is enough to confirm what he already knows, feeling his spark practically drop into his fuel tank.

They are well and truly fragged.

Instinctively, Knock Out backs towards Breakdown, making as if to sidle on behind him, despite the fact that Breakdown only has half the arms he has right now. "Lord -- Lord Megatron!" Knock Out gasps, his voice a nervous titter. "You're -- ha -- you're...here."

[buffedthat]

Breakdown's eyes — well, eye — goes wide at that sudden appearance in the entrance. Well. That does kind of change things, doesn't it? He'd pulled back somewhat for surprise, though he doesn't actually move. His good hand rises to salute Megatron, and he's careful to stand a little straighter. He, after all, didn't have anything to do with that Harvester business. Luckily.

"Lord Megatron." An echo of Knock Out's greeting, respectful as it should be, despite the surprise of seeing him.

[starscheme]

True to form, Starscream's reaction to his master's arrival is... bombastic.

The second the sound of Megatron's transformation is ringing in his head, it's as though his spark plummets all the way down to his heel struts, and a look of indescribable horror etches its way across his face. He doesn't even need to turn around to know who's all too familiar furious gaze awaited him.

Unfortunately he has to turn around eventually, and all at once he does so, scrambling back a few steps. He stutters, his vocalizer reaching a ludicrously high pitch as all he can do for a few moments is just stammer idiotically.

"L--Lord Megatron!? You're here?!? How--"

Scrap. Scrap scrap scrap. He had to think quickly, this reunion was far too ahead of schedule; without contacting Megatron first, surely he was still in the books as a deserter which meant that things were about to go very, very badly if he wasn't careful.

"You've come to rescue us! Thank Primus!!"

Yeah. Good save. Heheh.

[bigfuckinggun]

A little grovelling usually improves Megatron's mood a little, but this is a farce. Fear and dismay is a more than reasonable reaction to his arrival, but he prefers to see sort of thing from his enemies than his underlings. Breakdown, at least, gets a few points for the salute. The rest of you? Detention.

He takes a step into the cave, consciously looming.

"Rescue you? Oh, no. You see, my vessel was rendered almost inoperable by a fleet of Alternian ships; I was forced to crash land here only hours ago. But imagine my surprise, my relief, when I discovered evidence of a prolonged Decepticon presence on this remote, vermin-infested rock!"

Imagining Megatron's relief may be a bit of a tall order, largely because that is complete bullshit. Imagine, instead, his eyebrows lifting, optics narrowing in suspicious surprise, at the familiar energy signatures; fangs bared in disgust as he realises which Decepticons he has found and how long they have been here, and draws the obvious conclusions. Imagine that the sole element of relief present here is that he will have someone on whom to take out the sheer inchoate fury he has been feeling since the Alternian forces overpowered him by sheer strength of numbers and he lost Orion Pax and was forced to make an emergency landing in the middle of the fucking desert. Imagining that would be a lot more accurate.

Still, despite the fact that he is spitting out the words at this point, emphasising each point with an aggressive step towards the cowering Decepticons, he continues, "How fortunate, that I should have been preceded! Surely after having been here so long my loyal followers should have something to show for their time, something that might compensate somehow for this infuriating predicament!"

Megatron takes another fierce look around the cavern – Starscream's meagre collection of stolen human electronics, Breakdown's missing arm and eye – and he straightens up, optics burning with undisguised rage.

"But it seems my optimism was unfounded." He looks over all of them, like a disappointed schoolteacher. His lip curls. "What have you accomplished in my absence." It's barely a question – more a challenge. His voice is more measured, level, for now, but the fury bubbling under the surface, and ready to erupt at the slightest provocation, is clear.

[buffthis]

Knock Out cringes visibly at Megatron's biting rebuttal. Oh, this is not going well. This is so much worse than bad. So much for Starscream's -- admittedly pitiful -- last ditch attempt at a desperate save. Part of Knock Out appreciates the effort, but the rest of him just wants to punch Starscream for making it worse.

So Knock Out resolves to be especially helpful in handling this extremely dicey conflict.

"We've been under Commander Starscream's diligent supervision since he arrived," Knock Out says, rolling his optics in Starscream's direction. He even manages to sound relatively composed, as he inches just a little closer to Breakdown. "Perhaps he should have the...honor of delivering our progress report."

[buffedthat]

Even Breakdown shifts under that decidedly terrifying advance, and not just because there's no comfortable way to clasp just one hand behind your back. He's uncomfortably aware of how all his current injuries are due to humans, and just how embarrassing that fact is.

"Yes sir," he says, feeling not an ounce of guilt to follow Knock Out's lead and throw Starscream under the bus, "Commander Starscream should have all the intel."

[starscheme]

Starscream listens attentively to Megatron’s tirade, flinching with every emphasized word (and making a personal note to pay the Alternians back in kind when he got the chance. So much for their tentative truce). When he’s done, and Knockout so graciously places the blame on Starscream’s shoulders (with Breakdown's endorsement, no less! After all he'd done for him...), he splutters wordlessly and glances back at the two of them briefly, looking furiously betrayed. Fine. Two could play at that game.

He turns back to Megatron, simpering nervously. “My Liege, there... there have been set backs! I only just arrived on this planet myself a few months prior, and was grievously wounded as well!” He wrings his hands nervously. “I only just recently regained full functionality, and might have done so sooner, if Knockout,” he straightens up and looks severe, his tone transitioning into a snarl, “who has been here for several earth years already, had actually left his comm link on. instead of slacking and leaving two of his fellow Decepticons to the mercy of the locals... Well, we might be a bit further along.”

He seamlessly changes tact, brow furrowing in concern in a pleading look. “All things considered we have done rather well for ourselves, odds stacked against us as they were. I myself have discovered the locations of several massive energon deposits, gathered a number of useful supplies, and even located samples of a bizarre scientific anomaly,” he gestures back at the dog crate containing his two crystal animals, which are viciously clawing at the door of their enclosure (he still had no idea what in Primus he was going to do with those, but he'd gone through so much trouble to obtain them). “So you see, we are actually rather better off than appearances would suggest!”

The moments before Megatron responds feel like hours... Surely Megatron wouldn’t kill him, given the circumstances, right? He wouldn’t deprive himself of an extremely useful asset just for the sake of satisfying his blood rage? ...Starscream's eyes flick to the world outside, just past Megatron’s imposing frame. He casually wonders if he could be quick enough to make a break for it. Just in case.

[bigfuckinggun]

Several years? Knock Out's lucky that Starscream keeps talking after that, because the way Megatron's gaze lingers on the medic for a moment there is dangerous. Starscream's list of achievements, though, is almost convincing – almost – that is, until he notices that nervous little glance past him, towards the sky. To Starscream that might be just in case, but to Megatron it's the evidence that Starscream only considers what he's just offered to be worthwhile as an attempt to distract him from their failures for long enough to escape.

Before Starscream can make that break for it, Megatron seizes him by the shoulder with one huge hand and slams him against the wall of the cave.

"Have you extracted anything from these massive energon deposits, in the months you have been here? Have you accumulated any useful information on the weaknesses of this world's inhabitants? Have you used any of your discoveries to accomplish anything worth reporting?" He turns to glare at the others, sharp teeth bared as he stares at Breakdown's injuries.

"Am I really to believe that the locals are so formidable," he snarls, "that two of you were so badly damaged that it was impossible for you to achieve more than this –?" He roars in frustration, and rounds on Knock Out now, Starscream still pinned to the wall; "And you–! Is this true? Years of desertion? Do you have anything to say for yourself, or should I save us all time and simply tear you limb from limb where you stand?" He can't actually afford to do that, of course – not only does he need all the Decepticons he can get, Knock Out is the only doctor in the solar system – but Megatron is furious enough right now that he almost feels like taking that risk.

[buffthis]

Knock Out's face, carefully smug, slowly unfolds into an expression of sheer horror as his quickly formulated plan to throw Starscream under the Megatron bus completely backfires on him. This was not how he'd envisioned things going, but then, he probably should have expected that Starscream would manage to find a way to make what Knock Out would prefer to call an extended vacation as grievously traitorous as possible.

He just might have leaked a little transmission fluid the minute the minute Megatron's rage was turned undeniably in his direction. He can't manage anything but sputter for a few unbearably long moments, his optics wide and terrified as his mind rapidly cycles through his increasingly limited options. The fact that Starscream is the one pinned against the wall is a small comfort, but a transient one, because he doesn't expect that'll last. Frag it -- what can he say? Lying to Starscream was one thing, but Knock Out doesn't even dare attempt it with Megatron. He takes a shaky step backwards, accidentally backing up right into Breakdown.

"L-Lord -- Lord Megatron, please! Have mercy -- "

[buffedthat]

Breakdown hardly even notices the bump against him, too busy glancing with rising alarm between Knock Out, Megatron, and occasionally Starscream. Megatron wouldn't really rip Knock Out apart, right? He's loyal enough to Megatron to be able to watch his partner take some damage, but there's a line somewhere in there, and it falls before watching him get offlined.

He finally speaks up, voice deep and steady, if a little faster for nerves. "Lord Megatron, we'll make it up. Now that we're back under your guidance, we won't fail you again."

[starscheme]

Starscream lets out a rather undignified squeal of terror when Megatron pins him, but wisely keeps his mouth shut for the time being. Fortunately his shoulder is well armored, so the pain from the impact is minimal, but he he is well and truly trapped under that huge metal hand. There's not much he can do other than cower in abject terror and try to remain alert to any openings that might allow him to turn the situation around.

As Megatron rounds on Knock Out, he almost begins to feel bad for being that upfront about the medic's transgressions... but it was a spur of the moment decision, and he'd been put on the spot as well as being driven by spite. If the opportunity presents itself, he'll try to speak up in Knock Out's defense, but for now he decides it best to keep his thoughts to himself.

[bigfuckinggun]

Megatron's optics narrow.

Casually, he lets go of Starscream's shoulder, but only so he can grab a wing and twist it roughly in his hand – enough that he feels he can turn his back on him without risking him flying away. He'll come back to him later.

Then he turns to Breakdown and Knock Out, and for an uncomfortably long moment he doesn't say anything at all, just stares down at the medic and his assistant with rage etched all over his war-lined face.

At long last he speaks, sheer anger making every word deliberate and heavy.

"You are all extremely lucky," he says, "that my forces on this world are so calamitously limited that I am left with no choice but to give all of you," he spits out the words as if they disgust him, "a second chance – no choice but to hope that with the addition of discipline and supervision this pitiful collection of invalids and deserters will be able to demonstrate themselves worthy of serving me. But do not mistake me – the moment any of you proves he is not worthy, I will not hesitate to exterminate him." He reaches down to haul Starscream up by the damaged wing – hope you weren't trying to crawl away there lil buddy – his fist clenching hard around the metal. "Do I make myself clear?"

[buffthis]

Knock Out cannot believe he is getting away unscathed.

His legs are trembling just slightly, judging by the quiet clink of plating, but in the face of Megatron's wrath, his dignity is far from a priority, for once. Even Starscream seems to have gotten off relatively easy -- he's sure it hurts, but not nearly as much as it could. They've been given a rare opportunity here, and they can't afford to frag it up this time.

"Crystal," Knock Out breathes, barely daring to move otherwise. "Of -- course, Lord Megatron, you're -- you're too kind. Like Breakdown said -- we won't be disappointing you again, I swear!"

[buffedthat]

He vents a quiet sigh of relief, and squares his shoulders again. —Well, one of them. They're not much of a matched set anymore.

"Perfectly clear, sir." He adds a nod, and glances just briefly at Starscream. He'd almost feel bad for him, if it weren't for the relief at having him around to apparently absorb the damage. "You won't regret this second chance."

[starscheme]

There isn't even time for Starscream to feel relieved between when Megatron lets go of his shoulder and when he goes right for the weak spot. Where Knock Out might be fussy about his finish, Starscream was (perhaps less vocally) particular about his wings, which was something that Megatron never failed to take advantage of when he could in past situations such as this. Oh sure, it was a convenient hand hold and a way to keep the seeker from taking off while his back was turned, but to Starscream it also smacked of being something sadistic (whether Megatron actually intended it that way or not).

And then the next thing he knows he's hoisted straight up off of the ground by it and it's all he can do to keep from squalling in agonized protest. Twisting it was one thing, but a single wing wasn't meant to hold up the entirety of the rest of his weight like that on its own, and of course Megatron knows that just like he knows all of Starscream's weakest points with a particularly disgraceful intimacy. Thousands of years of working together and plotting against one another had made sure of that.

It takes an extremely concerted effort on his part to not squirm and show any weakness by grabbing on to Megatron's arm in an attempt to remove some of the pressure off of his wing joint, but he only manages that for a few seconds before he can't take the sensation of it anymore and latches on at the wrist with both hands. His feet still kick, searching for solid ground as they dangle helplessly off the floor.

"You are far too gracious, My Lord, truly this is more mercy than any of us deserve--" he grits out in an extremely strained voice, the subtext of which being you've made your point now let me go already before you tear my damn wing off.

[bigfuckinggun]

"Indeed it is," Megatron growls. He really wishes there were someone here he could actually afford to kill to make a point to the rest of them, or at least brutally maim; but then, if the situation weren't so dire that he didn't, he wouldn't be quite this angry in the first place. Making Starscream squirm is only small consolation – but perhaps he'll get more out of him later.

With a frustrated snarl he concedes to let Starscream go – by way of throwing him by the wing at the other two – and takes a step back, beginning to turn towards the mouth of the cave.

"Knock Out, attend to your injured comrades. Once you are able," a derisive gaze roams over Breakdown's absent arm and Starscream's crumpled wing, as if he wasn't just responsible for that one, "convene with me at these coordinates – my vessel might have been wrecked, but it nonetheless makes a better venue than this miserable crevice."

The coordinates supplied, he wastes no further time transforming and shooting out of there, away towards his desertbound ship, confident – at least for now – that he can count on them eventually following.

[buffthis]

Knock Out instinctively sidesteps as Starscream comes hurtling at him, letting the seeker crash into the rock face wall instead of his still-preserved finish. Well, that probably didn't look great in front of Megatron. Whoops.

He casts a dubious optic over Starscream before he gives Megatron a nervous smile, hurriedly making with the bowing and scraping. He cannot actually believe he and Breakdown got off relatively scot-free. "Aha -- of course, Lord Megatron -- as you command!"

But as soon as Megatron zooms away from the cave, Knock Out's disposition changes considerably. He immediately grimaces, looking over Starscream with a huff. Now, it's as if he can't believe he has to deal with this.

"Well, I think we got lucky," he mutters, turning a beckoning claw to Starscream. No sense in wasting time now.

[buffedthat]

He vents a heavy sigh of relief as Megatron leaves — and even without having caused any major damage. (Starscream doesn't count.) He spends just a couple seconds staring after their departed leader, half to see if he won't suddenly come tearing back for more, half idly wondering if he prepares those speeches.

"Yeah, this time." He rubs absently at his chestplate, near the missing shoulder joint, before finally turning his attention to Starscream to see if Knock Out might need a hand with him. He might be down an arm, but he still makes a decent medic assistant.

[starscheme]

It takes a little bit for Starscream to even move after his rather disgraceful landing. Not out of actual immobility or pain, but from being rather shell shocked over what just happened. He's still trying to process it.

It could probably be taken as a very concerning sign that even when he does move, he doesn't say a word. Even as he slowly gathers himself up to crouch on his hands and knees, he just glowers furiously at the spot where Megatron was standing moments before.

He's going to kill that bastard one day.

[buffthis]

Well, that's...alarming. A silent Starscream is usually bad news. But at least his rage isn't directed at Knock Out for once. Knock Out stands over him, the leftover threads of panic still spinning his processor turning to impatience instead. He frowns at Starscream, looking over his wing. And all this without a proper medibay...Lord Megatron, really.

"Well, let's get you patched up, then -- Commander," Knock Out sighs agitatedly, gesturing for Starscream to stand. "Come on, now -- we don't want to keep our glorious master waiting, do we?"