That was was all he needed. One look at Knockout's alt mode and a quick cross check with the database of images he had pulled from years worth of conspiracy board posts left no doubt in Starscream's mind: The little wretch was lying to him about how long he had been here.

A lie itself would have been inconsequential; disrespectful and disobedient, but ultimately meaningless. But considering everything Starscream had just gone through to restore his transformation capabilities, well...

It only took a moment for Starscream's expression to switch channels from an authoritative smirk to all out livid fury, and he kicked out one leg and brought a foot wailing down on Knockout's hood, pinning him without any warning. “Do you honestly take me for a fool, Knockout?! Only here for a week, you said? How laughable.”

Except he was definitely not laughing.