We All Scream

“What we all want, I suppose: An end to the war that does not include handing Megatron the universe. And you know what?,” Starscream tapped the side of his nose, “I believe I may have found a way to achieve that.”

“As I said,” he answered levelly, “I see no reason to treat you with a respect I don’t feel.”

“More commonly called ‘poor manners’,” he called back, speaking quickly, “But I digress. My purpose here is of diplomatic nature so I would greatly appreciate the chance to give you the details. Aren’t Autobots supposed to value words over weapons fire?”

Ground friction gave Prowl the advantage in turning radius and in stopping. He used that ability now, throwing on his brakes and letting Starscream shriek by over his roof at more than two hundred feet up but felt more like only ten feet. The Second bounced out of his vehicle mode to his feet, bringing his rifle and both missile racks to bear and live before he skidded to a stop. Starscream’s engines and tail were still facing toward Prowl. Even one missile in an engine exhaust, or a blast to his rudder assembly, would bring Starscream down, and on the ground, the advantages were nearly all Prowl’s.

“Twitchy, are we?,” he taunted, “Afraid your poor manners will come back to haunt you?”

Opting not to waste more of his weaponry at the moment, he flew low, trying to get as close to Prowl was he could like it was a game.

Most of his mind was working on planning and rearranging the duty schedule to permit teams from base to visit the outposts, but the Second did have his scanners alert. The Decepticons had been confining their activity to reconnaissance flights and the occasional fuel theft from various human installations, and Autobot scouts hadn’t reported any indicators of a buildup for a large action. Still, that only meant that there was no easily discovered evidence of activity or preparation. It did not mean the Decepticons were not up to something.

Thus, he waited until he and his designated prey had reached an area sufficiently sparsely populated, then dove down, dropping a cluster bomb just so it would miss the black and white mech, yet shower him with shrapnel.

He didn’t want to tell this Starscream what he’d been through. He was strong now, he was sure of it. “I’m a survivor, that’s all.” he said quietly, finally. Despite his earlier words, some part of him still wanted to listen to a Starscream. 

“Are you like that? Are you afraid you are useless now, damaged beyond repair?”

//: “Do you perchance fancy a different topic?  My father is not something I am fond of discussing, and it would be inconducive to have my energon to boil in anger at present.”

::I suppose. If nothing else, Shockwave is a rather dull subject either way. Do you have any suggestions? I’m feeling generous right now.::

He didn’t step back, though, and stood his ground. “If that’s what you think, Starscream.” he said quietly. “But I know what I am. Who I am. You can believe what you like.”

“And what are you, exactly?”

There was also the moderately pleasant idea that whatever Starscream did would draw the attention of his commander, and Megatron’s idea of discipline often guaranteed that Starscream wouldn’t be a significant factor in Decepticon activities for days, if not weeks.

That didn’t mean Starscream wasn’t going to keep his optics open for the Autobot Second. If he was lucky, the black and white mech would leave the base at some point, at a time while Starscream himself was out flying...

Slagger.

//: “It really is a slap in the face. A little clarity on his folly in life.”

::When it comes down to it, the Seekers are my people. I do not appreciate anyone messing with them. Least of all someone like him.::

Sarcasm. Have you ever heard of it?  And please, shouldn’t enemies at least respect each other? I am a competent Air Commander, if I may say so.

Your manners are lacking. Doesn’t the Prime train his pets?

Though knowing what happened to his old lab, those logs are likely destroyed.”

::Oh please! The slagger is a cold-sparked glitch. If you are looking for a reason to forgive him you’re more of a fool than I thought. I can look into the mainframe if he uploaded copies of his logs against all odds, but I most definitely won’t if it’ll make you crawl back to his thankless aft!::

“Please, no one is like me. I do find your paintjob to have its appeal, for all that it makes you look like a goody two shoes. It makes you look pretty. Though prettiness is a pointless thing...”

::Your rank, Starscream, concerns me only in terms of what authority Megatron allows you. As for how we obtain supplies–you might consider and compare the resources we can call upon at need.:: Let the Decepticon make what he would of that.

::Bo-ring, enemy mine. Boring.::