[Open] BONJOUR, AUTOBUMS!

[starscheme]

Who: Prime!Scream and you, and privately: Sharkatron, Dadtron and Ratchet.
What: Starscream needs some help reaching the FUCKING BOMB that's on his back bc his stick arms can't reach between his wings. Then he goes to the Autobots to scope things out and get his stab wound patched up.
When: Immediately after the fight with Dreadwing AND BEYOND
Where: Out in the wastes, and then later around the Autobot base camp and clinic.
Warnings: Language. Medical and mild descriptions of robo gore. Starscream.



1. FOR SHARKATRON

It's not as though he has been deliberately avoiding Megatron specifically or anything, but the seeker certainly hasn't been anywhere as clingy towards his leader lately as one might expect... Particularly if you take into account the ferocious loyalty he'd been demonstrating after rejoining the Decepticons, back in their own world.

There are numerous reasons for his cagey behavior, but in the end what it really comes down to is that Starscream hasn't really felt the urgent need to return to his master. Megatron seems to have little interest in keeping him on a short leash currently, there's no active war effort happening on this Cybertron (and from Starscream's timeline the war has been over for a few months anyway)... and what Starscream has felt the urgent need for is to mope about on his own and distance himself from anyone or anything that might have a chance of putting him in contact with Dreadwing.

Well, he's failed that last goal pretty spectacularly. Currently the jet is in the middle of tearing as far away from the bot in question as quickly as he can, praying that Megatronus can hold the muderous ex-con off long enough that by the time the dust settles he won't have any idea where his quarry has gone. As luck would have it, his current trajectory has put him in the right direction towards the one person who might possibly help him. Maybe. If he's feeling generous.

As Starscream approaches, his flight pattern is noticeably wobbly and off kilter, and he practically crashes at Megatron's feet, kicking up debris as he skids to a halt. He scrambles up onto his hands and knees so that the FUCKING BOMB that's latched to his back with armor piercing teeth is clearly visible between his wings when he starts begging. The words come tumbling out of his mouth: "Lord Megatron! Master, please, you must help me!" he bleats pathetically.


2. FOR DAD-TRON

So, one Megatron may have taken care of the bomb, but that doens't solve all of Starscream's problems. There's still the matter of the stab wound in his right wing that Dreadwing so generously provided him with in their last scuffle. It still drips bright blue energon here and there, but the more important issue is that Starscream can't fly properly like this. He can still get airborne, but having a gaping hole in one wing isn't exactly conducive to achieving the speed and agility that the seeker is accustomed to.

It's with great reluctance that he heads back out into the wastes on his own. The Megatron he knows is, after all, not even anything remotely resembling a medic, and would be of little use in this matter even if he was inclined to lend a hand. And Starscream very much doubts that he is.

His caution is at an all time high when he arrives in the general vicinity of the Autobot clinic. Not far from here is where he'd last run into Dreadwing, so the stakes are high and Starscream isn't about to take any chances. As long as he avoids running into Dreadwing again this should be easy, right? He just needs to locate an autobot and look and act pathetic enough for someone to finally have mercy on him and lead him to the right person to patch his wing. Yeah. Easy.

3. FOR RATCHET

Someway, somehow (witchcraft? bribery perhaps?), there's a Starscream in the clinic, and he's waiting to be attended to. Someone has apparently forgotten to put his falconing hood on too because he's fidgeting incessantly in the corner while he eyes up his surroundings with an unpleasant scowl. Rationally he knows that he shouldn't have to feel too nervous, because it's hardly as though anyone has officially and actively set up a faction divide on this Cybertron, but at the same time if anything that makes the whole situation all that more unpredictable.

Ratchet's name had been dropped on his way in here. Starscream can only hope that fate has led him to a different Ratchet than the grumpy, horrible one that he's familiar with, because he hasn't exactly got any juicy information to offer the old geezer in exchange for a medical kit this time.

4. OPEN TO ANYONE

Once all repairs have been made, Starscream will be hanging around the general vicinity of the base camp for a while. Watching. Waiting? But not in an ominous way, because he has no schemes cooking for now. He really should be getting back to Megatron, but frankly he's in an odd place lately, and unusually willing to entertain his curiosity about what kind of set up the Autobots have going here. If he likes what he sees, he may stick around for a while, for safety's sake. Wouldn't that be unfortunate for everyone else?

(PM me if you would like a more specific starter or if you'd like to plot anything. Otherwise go for whatever you want.)

Comments

[deceptionshark]

"Now what have you been up to Starscream?" Megatron asked mildly when his Second-in-Command skittered out from under some mysterious rock. He had almost considered going out to look for him too! Where Starscream's body language was panicked, Megatron's was as relaxed as nonchalant as he could possibly get. Yes, he's aware that there was a bomb right there, but he knew it would take more than a bomb to seriously injure him.

Now Starscream on the other hand.

"Problems, Starscream?"

lets get this trainwreck a rollin

[staygoldponybot]

Sentinel had thought of Starscream maybe once after their first... explosive meeting. During his time in traction, fantasizing about ripping those stupid seeker wings off and eating robot popcorn while watching him bleed out.

He's the best, most non-grudge holding Prime, clearly.

Fortunately, he's also still not hard to spot. While his golden paint has been either gouged/rubbed off or caked in mud, he's still the giant, chunky fucker he was when he first arrived. Keeping the whole grand Prime image is a bit hard while he's sitting on his ass in a random street scowling while pulling a gnarled piece of metal out of his remaining wrist guns, though.

[starscheme]

"Oh you know, I've just been out and about, scouting the area," says Starscream in a very forced and mildly sarcastic conversational tone, playing along with Megatron's nonchalant attitude. He jerks up onto his knees, wings still quivering despite the act. "Seeing the sights, spying on the other new residents, and, oh, of course, nearly getting SCRAPPED by that MANIAC, Dreadwing!" he breaks into furious hysterics on that last point, beginning to shout once more.

"He's placed some kind of remotely triggered explosive device on my frame and I cannot remove it on my own!" he complains, motioning towards his back. Then the seeker's eyes narrow dangerously and he hisses: "And as soon as it is off, I am going to work on destroying him once and for all" It's becoming increasingly clear to Starscream that this town ain't big enough for the two of them.

[starscheme]

Starscream doesn't really recognize him at first. It had been kind of dark when they'd run into each other, plus it's been a while and- well whatever. Something does register as vaguely familiar about the guy but the the seeker can't really place him, which is why he's just kind of rudely staring with his arms crossed thoughtfully.

"You seem... familiar," he growls.

[deceptionshark]

"Hmmm." It's a very thoughtful kind of 'hmm'. The kind you would expect from someone trying to decide between two different high-grades. Did he want the kind that kicked like a shotgun, or would he prefer something smoother this evening?

As you could see, Megatron wasn't very concerned about the situation.

"I suppose I should do something about Dreadwing if he is going to go around attacking my Second-in-Command." Because you are valuable to him, Starscream. This week, anyway. "Speaking of which, Starscream, do say hello to your alternate when you've got the chance. I have invited him to stay with us." So at the very least he'd have a replacement if that bomb goes off before he did something about it.

[aerospacecommander]

This Starscream had been doing his own bit of exploring when he spotted a silver-ish bot from his place in the sky. He preferred to stay in the air when traveling about, if only because it gave him a certain advantage.

That doesn't mean he was too cowardly to come down, no far from it. He dived down, transforming to robot mode only a short distance from the ground. He landed hard, but it was really a show-off type mode since this other mech looked like he had wings. And well, if he were a bird he'd be puffing up his feathers to look bigger.

"Why hello. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

[starscheme]

"Alternate?" Starscream's expression warps into a confused sneer. He's really not sure what to make of that information, or the fact that Megatron has apparently welcomed him into the fold. It was one thing for multiples of other people to be wandering around, but another version of himself?

"I'll be certain to introduce myself if I'm not blown to smithereens first," Starscream says; there's a bit of an impatient edge to his tone, and he jerks his wings very pointedly. "As I would be more than happy to lend a hand in solving your Dreadwing problem, of course, but, master, please- the device...?"

[starscheme]

Frankly he'd have been up there too, if he wasn't presently trying to avoid drawing unneeded attention to himself. Starscream's first instinct when he hears another jet lately is to scan the skies and make sure that Dreadwing isn't approaching by air. The number of ground-moders here vastly outweighs the population of fliers, so he figures he can't be too cautious with odds like that. When he sees that it isn't Dreadwing, he relaxes only a little.

Right off the bat, from the dramatic landing to the too-cool attitude, this mystery bot is rubbing him the wrong way. Starscream meets that show-offy display with gusto, straightening his posture as the other Starscream lands and flicking his wings up to their full intimidating height.

"Oh no, not at all," Starscream rumbles unpleasantly in response, eyeing up this new mech cautiously. That cocksure attitude reminds him way too much of Knock Out, and he also has a strike against him for being another flier; both warning signs of a potentially major threat to Starscream's ego.

"You're not an Autobot, I see. That's a pleasant change of pace. The Decepticons are far too outnumbered on this planet," he observes vaguely, then adds on with a mumble: "Not that it matters, peaceful as things are around here." He continues to stare, scarcely even blinking. "Can I help you with something?"

[aerospacecommander]

Starscream's gaze stays on him even as he moves to circle around this other mech, studying him. This isn't a design he's familiar with, nor really the color scheme. He's curious really, well, as curious as a cat boredly stalking a mouse would be.

"Unless you want to give me a grand tour, than no," he responds with a light shrug.

He seems to be getting the 'what do you want' type of attitude from almost everyone he's run across. Though he does suppose being stuck on a strange version of Cybertron might do that to a person.

"Then again," he quickly adds, after thinking about it for a second, "do you perhaps know who all are here on the planet? Or at least anyone who might be important?"

[staygoldponybot]

His faceplate snaps up the second he registers a the Decepticon, not so much he's planning to fight Starscream, more he doesn't want his beautiful face to get broken by missiles. Again. He pulls the remaining metal out his arm and gets to his feet, optics narrowing.

Don't tell baby Megatron, but his threat is mostly the reason why Sentinel isn't currently trying to break Starscream in half.

"I believe we crossed paths in the crater."

He's glad Starscream doesn't know about his embarrassing beatdown.

[starscheme]

Wow hey slow down there buddy. Starscream really doesn't appreciate the way this guy is eyeing him up so brazenly. He should at least have the good grace to be subtle about it.

He keeps turning to keep up with the other jet, his discomfort with this state of affairs beginning to show in the way his wings seem to be stiffening. He rumbles, still putting up a passive aggressive, obvious facade of politeness: "Aside from myself?"

Yeah he's not going to be the first to introduce himself to this rude punk. At this point Starscream has become more accustomed to people not recognizing who he is, so he doesn't expect this guy to know either, but he isn't about to be the first to give up information, just on principle.

"Well I'm sure you've heard by now of the numerous Megatrons here. That information is a bit hard to miss." He tosses his head imperiously, frowning. "Anything else you want to know I would be happy to share, for an exchange. I don't make a habit of giving information out so freely, especially not to strangers," he says in a smug growl.

[chickscream]

Slipstream has spent most of the days she's been stuck here exploring, but Autobot central-- surprisingly-- is one of the more pleasant places to hang out. She's not exactly striking up friendships, but the company is mostly not-terrible and there's no one shooting at her, so she's kind of gravitated back time and time again.

She's flying in towards her kind-of-maybe-temporary home, skimming low, when she sees an unfamiliar jet-- unfamiliar but strikingly familiar, too-- and transforms in midair, shoving her legs in front of her to bring herself to a hovering midair stop, red optics narrowed.

All that silver and red-- and that chin-- he looked exactly like her creator, except that he looked nothing like him, spindly and sharp-edged as if he were built from knives.

Unsettled, she squints down at him, because what the heck. What the heck. This is weird, and she doesn't like it at all.

[starscheme]

Hey Starscream doesn't like this situation at all either, but that's mostly because there's a familiar-yet-unfamiliar Decepticon hovering in his space and just straight up staring at him, .

He juts his hip out to one side to rest a hand on it, flares his wings, and shoots a displeased looking glare right back in her direction.

"Why don't you take a photograph or something, it will last longer," he shouts up at her icily.

[starscheme]

Aw fuck so that's where...

The seeker takes half a step back in surprise and rumbles slowly: "Oh yes... 'Sentinel Prime'."

Better play it cool. If he doesn't act guilty then maybe he won't draw attention to past events. "Somehow I hadn't quite expected to cross paths with you again, I'll admit. Trouble with some shrapnel?" he gestures at the metal.

[chickscream]

"Your face would break the camera," she snaps back, instantly, and drops to the ground, her own hands migrating to her hips. Slipstream had thought that worst-case idea of hers couldn't possibly be true, and yet... that voice...

It wasn't the voice of her Creator and brothers, but it was close enough to make her near-certain.

"Are you Starscream?" she asks, hoping for a no and expecting a yes.

[starscheme]

Wow, such a vicious response, he was not expecting. His Decepticons were usually not so overtly rude to each other; everything was always passive aggressive or sarcastic. Starscream flinches slightly and snarls like as if he'd just been physically slapped.

Either way, he now has a pretty good idea of who she is, too.

"That depends on who's asking." he snaps, waving her off with one hand. "I don't generally make a habit of interacting with strange individuals who feel that petty insults are an acceptable substitute for respectful greetings." Like hell he was going to answer any questions, even such a simple one, after being on the receiving end of such rude behavior.

[chickscream]

By every shard of the Allspark, that is the best reaction she has ever gotten to anything she has ever said, and she cackles an unexpected laugh at his flinching and snarling. "So that's a yes, then!" she crows, optics bright with vicious delight that she caught him off-guard. "I'd say it's a pleasure to meet you, but I do so hate lying."

Oh, please please please, let her insult you all day long, Starscream. It would make her life, no matter that she's only a year-and-some old.

[starscheme]

Holy scraps this bot is a handful, and noisy to boot. Starscream is far too jumpy for this nonsense, and he bristles like an overgrown cat at her triumphant exclamation. "I'm assuming, then, that they make Seekers quite a bit mouthier where you come from," he snaps once she's done. "Fine, your assumption, however baseless, is correct... Slipstream." He allows himself to look triumphantly smug as he growls her name.

What's strange is that as obnoxious as this other jet is, there's also something strangely nostalgic about this interaction as well. It has been quite some time since he served with his old squad, and while they clearly aren't even from the same universe, he's far more willing to take malicious ribbing from someone of his own kind than he would anyone else.

[chickscream]

"If you think I'm mouthy, you should meet my brothers." Or... himself. No, that's still weird to think about, and Slipstream banishes it from her thoughts. Especially since this guy was actually not as irritating as her creator, so far; maybe she ought to give him a chance. "But hey, you've got a processor that works! I'm impressed," she tells him, smile spreading wider. "Here I was, thinking that any Starscream I met would be as idiotic as the one I know, and you had to go proving me wrong. How dare you."

She is not actually upset, and it shows in her tone of voice-- which is hardly pleasant, but definitely more amused than annoyed.

[staygoldponybot]

Look asshole he's like 80% sure he hasn't gone completely insane. Maybe 81%.

"Yes... I had hoped someone would've swatted you by now." Despite the fact he's in literally no position to aggravate Starscream... he still does. Fantastic, amazing.

At the question, he scowls and throws it aside, "No."

i want two anna threads fight me

[planate]

Seeing Sixshot and not dying horribly had given Pipes a bit of an odd mix of a confidence booster but also a drop in confidence for exploring alone. On one hand, there's fucking Phase Sixers wandering around. On the other... he didn't get killed by one. Regardless, the minibot decided to stay closer to the settlements, rather than wandering off to the city limits like he had before. It had been a bad decision regardless and he'd sated his curiosity for now.

Starscream might find him near the medibay, walking out of a ruined building and holding a few random tidbits. Nothing really of interest, just stuff you'd find in an average Cybertronian household.

[starscheme]

He genuinely has to laugh at that. She is definitely a lot more forward than the Slipstream he'd served with all those years ago, and far more abrasive, but he's minding that less and less by the moment.

"Sorry to disappoint. I sincerely hope you didn't bring this, ah... other me along with you." He glances off behind him briefly, lip curling with displeasure. "Unless the one I've just gotten through meeting is the same individual of which you speak. If a third with the name were to show up, I'd likely start to feel a bit threatened. Possibly have to start snuffing some sparks."

[starscheme]

"And I'd hoped that maybe you wouldn't be quite so unpleasant to carry on a conversation with as you had first seemed, but you are disappointing me in that arena."

Fortunately Starscream can't really afford to start shit either, being basically in the middle of an Autobot nest.

[chickscream]

This Starscream clearly appreciates her more than the one who created her, and that's awesome. And the thought of him killing his alternate universe circuit-fried double...

It's a shame Slipstream never grins in canon, because that's what she's doing right now.

"Oh, you're the first Starscream I've met here, but-- if you do spot a fellow who looks like me but in your colors, let me know. I'll gladly help you." She leans a little forward, and confides, "He thinks he's immortal, but I know his weak spot; between the two of us, it would be a snap--" and she snaps her fingers, "-- to take care of that particular version of yourself."

FIGHTS

[starscheme]

Find him? Naw. Naw Pipes is so small and Starscream is so preoccupied reflecting on his medibay experience that he accidentally punts the minibot with one of his fancy heels and stumbles over him, wings flapping and legs flailing awkwardly as he tries to catch his balance.

He snarls with exasperation and looks around to make sure that no one saw him do something so goddamn graceless, and then lays eyes on the smallest Cybertronian he has seen in quite some years. "What?!"