Predatory

True Hatred

"Well, well, well, so it would seem that the DJD has another little pet. How typical," a voice sneered from behind us. "after all, what's another good for nothing animal when you already have one?"

"Good morning to you too, Starscream." Tarn didn't even look up from his datapad. He couldn't actually be behind us, could he? "How are you getting along with your two new additions?" 

"Oh, I'm already teaching them their worth and having them scrub the floor of the landing deck." 

Sure enough, the ruby red mech strutted around Tarn's side of the table and sat down across from him. He was looking at me the same way most soldiers look at a cyber-rat in their berth. I remembered how Dawnstar was always ogling him from her stupid femme magazine that was always up to date on the latest "hot Decepticons". She always made comments on how "lustrious" his build was. ButI had been around this mech for less than ten ticks and I already hated him. Something about him was unnerving. Maybe it was the way one of his optics was always more narrow than the other? Or that his wings were held at an odd angle? Or maybe it was because he reeked of betrayal and deceit. Either way, I tried to keep my faceplate emotionless. I also only looked at him from out of the corner of my optic. My servo was twitching even more crazily now than in the elevator. My intakes were threatening to become raspy, but I didn't let them. I tried to pretend I was fine, even though I felt like combusting at any minute.

"Oh, yes. Very important that all of our seekers are experts at cleaning floors. It's not like we keep them around to fight or anything." Tarn said quite cooly. Starscream's face plate somehow soured even more. 

"Oh yes, of course. And I'm sure its very important to let a mere trainee, on the single most classified floor of Decepticon Headquarters, yes?" Starscream goaded. 

"Yes it is, if they eventually are going to be given clearance to it anyway." Tarn replied smoothly. Starscream's face plate dropped from a sly sneer, to a grimace.

"You've got to be kidding. There is no way Megatron needs another level 20 access. Especially a mere trainee, who from the looks of it doesn't have anything particularly special to speak of" Starscream was now glaring at me even more than before. I clenched my shaking servo, that had been hidden under the table, on my lap. I was too nervous to even comprehend what might be being said. All I could concentrate on, was steadying my breathing.

"If you feel so concerned, feel free to take that up with Megatron. After all, it was his decision. And if you still have a problem, you can come to me and my team. We would be all to happy to enlighten you in his decisions." Tarn growled, his tone dangerously cold. I could feel chills run up my back strut. I did my best to keep still. Starscream's optics narrowed.

"Very well, it would seem I have an audience with Megatron." He gave me one last glare, and then whisked around. Strutting rather proudly to where Megatron stood. The energon I had just finished drinking felt like it was boiling inside me. He reminded me almost exactly of one of those men who used to come to the ballet shows back in the day. The ones who the Madame had to escort off the premises when they wouldn't leave quietly. I gritted my denta behind my lip plates that I had kept impassive. I hoped I wouldn't have to associate with that mech ever again.

"I'd say that it's about time we can leave. He should be here by now." Tarn remarked. He stood up, stretched and waited for me to follow. I quickly did. 

Moments later we were back in the elevator. Thankfully, it was just us, so I wasn't being squished into him this time. I kept a firm grip on my bag's strap. I wondered who it was that was going to "be here by now". 

"Well?" Tarn suddenly broke the silence, sounding exasperated. I looked at him confused.

"We-Well...?" I asked. I had no idea what he was on about.

"When are you going to ask where we're going? Actually, when are you going to ask anything at all?" He sounded quite stern.

"I-I thought tha-that I wasn't supposed to." I said, a little confused. "At least so says the books on the datapad they make everyone read. Trainees aren't supposed to question their mentors."

"That booklet is meant for underlings, grounders, footballers, field medics and basic generals. It is not applicable for people of your position."

"Wait. My position?"

"Yes, your position. Did that stupid captain of yours forget to give you any information at all?" 

I shook my helm. He sighed, then handed me the datapad he had been reading since this morning. I took it, and began reading through my information.  Apparently I had passed most of my exams with flying colors. That was good news to me. Although I hadn't done as well on my social relations and psychological tests, no surprise there. I hadn't done much preparation on those ones, and I had panicked before both of them. When I looked over at the column and I read over my new position, I had to do a double take, but sure enough:

Position: Main Assassin and main special mission personnel.

Holy scrap! That position was not a light order. I would be reporting either directly to Megatron. Or to a second in command. This was big stuff. Not to mention I would have the clearance to all levels of Decepticon Headquarters and most files in the system mainframe should I need them. 

"Does that answer any questions?"

"A-a few. I have- I have one question though"

"And that would be?"

"Who am I going to report to, after training is- is over?"

"Probably me, unless Megatron sees fit to change that. Which is doubtful. One of the reasons he told me that I was in charge of your training was because we would probably end up working together afterwords."

"Okay," I said quietly, thinking to myself. I was just glad it wasn't Starscream. If it was I might invent a new way to commit homicide. 

 The elevator opened its doors. We both stepped out and turned to the left. I was lost in my own thoughts. While he was definitely more preferably than the trainees and Starscream, and I might be able to be more comfortable with talking to him in time. I would still have to be cautious as to what I asked, and when, and how. He still wasn't exactly warm and fuzzy, but he could have been far worse. I liked how professional he kept everything. It was nice.

"Who are we going to meet?" 

"A friend of mine, well, technically several friends. But mostly him. I think you'll like him. He's not very good with people either."

We rounded another corner and stepped out of the familiar large open door that lead outside to the landing deck. I blinked in the bright daylight. Once my optics adjusted, I got a good look at who exactly it was that Tarn wanted me to meet.

Hey hey hey! How are you all? I hope you had a good day today! Sorry for the late upload, I was kind of struggling to right this chapter! How do you guys feel about Screamer? I'm curious whether or not you guys are Screamer fans. Feel free to let me know! Anyway, I think that's all for this Authors note. I have pizza waiting. Love ya'll! 

~swordsandroses