Those words cut deep, and Starscream shrinks further in on himself, flinching when Megatron starts yelling again. He might have meekly taken what verbal abuse was due to be dished out to him if Megatron had merely kept his criticisms specific to Starscream's shitty lying, but man does he take offense to that last part. Though he remains on the defensive, keeping his posture as non-threatening as possible and his lips frozen in a nervous frown, his eyes still flash defiantly. When he responds, he still sounds panicked, antsy that Megtron may still turn the device on him.

"Need I remind you that 'mere data clerk' has the build and power of the Autobot that has been causing us grief for centuries? I had no idea what to expect from him, and using the harvester... The end result is the same, it just seemed like the safer and easier method!" And he means it, because he's no risk taker. The simpler and easier the route, the better.