Domestic Disturbance

Chapter 9 : Waiting


It took several days before Megatron had calmed himself down enough to even bother sending Laserbeak out to check up on Starscream's remains.

While the thought of his death was at first a comfort, the tyrant soon realized that it was an error he should have never made. He had let his emotions get the better of him and he had over reacted. To ease himself of the repercussions of what he had done, he blocked it from his mind. Attempting to overlook the quiet that surround him that should have been filled with the jet's obnoxious, screechy protests. However there was still a possibility that the seeker had not been killed. He was certainly alive when he fell over the cliff edge. Who was to say he didn't survive the plunge to the rocks bellow? It was hard enough to go on like nothing had ever happened without picturing his commander slowly dying at the bottom of some crack in the Earth.

The others in his army hadn't brought up what had happened that day. None of them knew the reasons behind Megatron's actions against the air commander. While some were relieved, others were not. Skywarp and Thundercracker, included. They at least wanted confirmation on their flight mate's death. If only to bring some closure. They weren't particularly fond of Starscream, but he was still a companion. Some bonds didn't need love or friendship. Some just worked. Theirs had worked, even if Starscream was a pain in the aft. It wasn't until the normally silent Thundercracker had approached Megatron on the issue that the silver mech truly came face to face with the consequences. He couldn't look the other way any longer.

After ordering the little bird bot to find the jet's remains, Megatron waited for news while pacing the confines of his chamber. He wasn't worried, per say. He was anxious. If the little slagger was alive, he would have to face the jet knowing that this would be the second time in their history that he had lost control of himself and done Starscream wrong. This could provoke a wrath like no other. If he was dead than Megatron would at least be free of his obligations, but not free in his own spark.

Emotions for the seeker had long ago perished but the guilt would forever haunt him. Enough so that he could never end Starscream's life on such a whim. That's why this was a mistake.

Truth be told, Megatron didn't want Starscream dead. He had simply lashed out in an ill-conceived anger. It was stupid and selfish, he knew. Something he could never take back. But if the seeker was alive, he wouldn't take this chance to redeem himself just yet. Starscream would have to earn his restitutions. He wouldn't want apologies handed to him on a gold platter, nor would he accept them. It was kinder to the jet to allow him to seek revenge. And Starscream would try. And Megatron would let him. And only if it came down to his life, or Starscream's, would he finally end the other mech's life. If he ever managed to succeed, the Decepticon General would do his best to bow at the victor's feet before he willing submitted to death.

That would have to wait. If and when it happened. For now, if he was alive than once he was recovered and back on his feet Megatron would remind him that their last conversation would never be brought up again. He would also remind Starscream of who he belonged to. The seeker was his. He was his ever since they first met. Megatron wouldn't let a little thing like hurt feelings stop that. He certainly wouldn't let guilt. He was the leader of the Decepticons, the greatest race of Cybertron and the future ruler of the Universe. It was in his right to keep that which he wanted. Even if it was another being who loathed the very ground he walked on.

There was a knock at his chamber door.

"Enter." The tyrant did his best to compose himself

Soundwave entered, followed closely by Thundercracker and Skywarp. The two seekers standing just at the chamber entrance to wait for the news of their commander.

"Megatron," Soundwave gave a slight bow. "Laserbeak has returned."

"What did he find?" The tyrant's gaze fell on the waiting blue and purple jets, who glared back uninhibited.

"Laserbeak reports that Starscream is not where we left him. His body has been removed from the canyon."

"Removed by who?"

"The Autobots, my Lord. He has tracked Starscream's energy signature as far as the Ark. He is alive and being held prisoner."

Relief flooded the tyrant. He sighed and gave a dismissive gesture towards the communications officer. "Thank you, Soundwave. You are dismissed."

A small noise of protest escaped the purple seeker. "That's it? What about Starscream?"

"What about him?" Megatron snarled at the disrespectful jet.

"Are you just gonna leave him with the Autobots?" Skywarp pulled from Thundercracker's restraining servo and took a few challenging steps towards his leader. "Even after you beat the living slag out of him and left him for dead?"

"Silence, you fool." He growled. "I will not bother trying to rescue him. If Starscream cannot escape himself than he is not welcome back among out ranks."

"How can you expect him to escape in the condition YOU left him in? That's hardly fair!"

"ENOUGH!" The silver mech bellowed, pointing a digit at Thundercracker. "YOU! Get him out of my sight! Soundwave, you are dismissed! Now get out! All of you!"

Thundercracker dragged his wing mate from the room, the purple jet snarling and still spitting insults in Megatron's direction. Soundwave quickly followed.

When the room was once again silent, the Decepticon General moved to his berth and sat down, fists slowly unclenching as the irritation of Skywarp's insubordination faded. Frown pulling back into a grin as he thought of his second in command having survived his fit of rage. It had only been ten days since the battle at the canyon and already Megatron was anxious to have the jet back in his rightful place. Crushed against this very berth and silently struggling in that oh so delicious way that made the tyrant's engine purr.

But that would have to wait until Starscream could manage to break himself out. Megatron had no doubt that he would succeed. Nothing was more reliable than that jet when scorned. He would will himself free, if only to return to destroy his oppressor.