The Good, the Bad and Starscream

Chapter 10: Nemesis Prime

Another week passed since Starscream's new privilege was announced. A week since the death of Breakdown and the termination of Airachnid's Insecticon. A week since MECH salvaged the parts from Breakdown and Swindle delivered a cube of Energon to them. A week since Dreadwing became the new First Lieutenant of the Decepticons. Many things had happened that last week, but afterwards things seemed to have quieted down. No new relics had been uncovered yet, and the Autobots still had plenty of Energon left to not need going on another raid for a while. No Decepticons seemed to be causing any trouble to the humans either.

In other words, Starscream didn't get to go outside with the Autobots over the course of the next week, despite being allowed to. He wasn't allowed to go with them on patrols, he wasn't allowed to go with them in places with human population, he wasn't allowed to scout for Energon with them, despite his programming as an Energon Seeker having a better radar for detecting Energon. And finally, he wasn't allowed to go with them when there were suspicions of Decepticon activity in some places. Starscream was beginning to feel lied to, betrayed, as if the Autobots hadn't been sincere when they said he was allowed to go with them on missions.

On the sixth day after his new 'privilege', it was a session with Optimus in the Seeker's room. After having received his usual cube, Starscream went straight to the point.

"You said yourself a week ago that I'm allowed to assist you on missions now," Starscream began after taking a sip of Energon. "Yet you haven't taken me out yet, even when I've asked to. Was that new rule just a lie?"

Optimus had sort of expected this question, as they got to know the Seeker better, and shook his head.

"No, it was not a lie," Prime replied calmly. "There simply has not been any missions yet where we have required your assistance. In some, it would be more inappropriate to bring you along, which is why you have not been dispatched yet."

"Inappropriate?" the Seeker repeated in confusion. "What do you mean, 'inappropriate'?"

"Since you are not yet allowed to initiate vehicle mode," Optimus began, "you cannot join us on patrols. Even if you could, your vehicle mode would attract too much attention from the humans for us to work in peace."

"What do you mean, my vehicle mode is not that attractive," Starscream protested. "I mean, sure, it's a military plane with missiles and I can fly faster than anyone on this planet, and it is quite stunning to look at, but really..."

Optimus didn't reply, roll his eyes, sigh or shrug like the others would. He just stayed silent for a while, until he continued.

"Furthermore, while your missiles may do a decent amount of damage in battle, you said yourself that it takes time to regenerate, meaning you would only be able to depend on your claws for defense and offense in a battle with the Decepticons. Therefore, I am unsure if you are ready to face them yet in battle."

"Took care of Airachnid, didn't I?" Starscream grumbled. "Besides, these claws of mine have taken care of plenty of bots in the past, like..."

Starscream paused. He had almost revealed to have killed Cliffjumper to Optimus Prime. He may not be Arcee, but he was still the leader of the Autobots, and the Seeker certainly didn't want to set off the Autobot equal in power to Megatron. Good thing he stopped himself in time. Now he had to give another example.

"...like, Vehicons," he decided. "When Arcee, Jack and I went to rescue you on the Decepticon warship, I clawed two guards all by myself, with only my claws!"

Again, Optimus went silent for a while, just looking at the Seeker. Vehicons weren't exactly something to brag about. They could be snuffed by pretty much anyone, probably even the human children! But he couldn't mention any Autobots he had clawed, as that would probably not gain him favor with the Autobots, much less their leader.