Domestic Disturbance

Chapter 3 : Theory

It would take Starscream some time to gather himself before everything went back to normal. Sometimes days, sometimes a few hours, but he always got over it. Or at least pretended to in order to keep the other's suspicions from being aroused.

His usual routine of recovery started with isolating himself from his comrades. A few hours just to himself so that he could collect his thoughts and calm himself down. He didn't sulk. He would never sulk. To feel sorry for himself would be like admitting that the abuse had even affected him at all. Though always shaken and furious, humiliated beyond belief, he was never saddened. Grief had died centuries ago, along with his respect for his leader.

He would also use this time to polish off any scuffs or mars to his normally pristine plating. In past experiences that required actual structural repair, he would hole up in the med bay until he could convince one of the Constructicons to heal him. Being the only Decepticons with any sort of medical knowledge, they would eventually agree to offer their skills.

Once he reemerged, he would silently walk back to Megatron's side. No trace of what had passed between them was readable on his features. He would not grace the bastard that satisfaction. Megatron would never rub it in and all would return to normal. Until the next time.

While the other Decepticons had their theories on the odd behavior that took place behind closed doors, none would be so bold as to bring it up in normal conversation. Or any conversation for that matter. If they were, in fact, to voice their beliefs, they would be quite surprised to find that most of them had the same, and correct hypothesis. But to discuss such a thing would most likely end up boding ill for them all. Especially if they were incorrect and Megatron caught wind. No Decepticon under his command could ever truly picture their leader to sink so low as to illicit anything from a bot like Starscream, and only assumed that the tyrant shared this view. It would be and insult to their General, surely.

So seeing as how this conclusion was a topic best left alone, a second, and more acceptable one was born. From the evidence, it was a solid theory and therefore, the most commonly accepted. It was simple really. Megatron was merely punishing Starscream and felt it didn't need to be made a spectacle of.

Yet their blame for these incidents was placed entirely on the wrong mech's shoulders.

After all, it was Starscream who made the biggest fuss. It was Starscream who was the loudest and the rudest. The one who constantly misbehaved and challenged and pushed. He picked the fights. He was the source of the disturbance. Therefore, the source of the bickering between the two had to be something that the commander had done.

Megatron's own faults were never even contemplated.

It only took the red and white jet a few hours to recollect himself and join the others in time to begin their next operation. While he had been buffing silver laced scratches from his chest and thighs, Megatron had briefed his troops on everything that should have taken place in the meeting before all the commotion. Without drawing much attention to himself, Starscream slipped through the crowed to materialize at his leader's right hand. A quick meeting of burning optics before the order was given for the decoy's to move out.

Each Con assigned as a decoy was specifically placed in a location some where on Earth where a hasty retreat would be possible for their particular skills. After all, they were distractions for the Autobots and sticking around to fight would be not only dangerous for a stray mech, but unnecessary for the plan to work. The seeker jets would be the farthest away in wide open country where they could have open air to speed away. Soundwave would be hidden in a large city where he could use the various noises and flooding radio waves to his advantage. Scrapper would hide out at large ore mine where he could blend in with the present construction equipment. Blitzwing was sent to a train yard where he too could disguise himself. The rest of them would accompany Megatron and Starscream to the targeted hydro electric dam that blocked off a canyon river. Large rock walls and very little ground for the Autobots to make a battle field of. If all went according to plan, Prime would send small teams out to investigate Soundwave and the others to make sure humans were not harmed. Optimus, himself would most likely wish to be where ever Megatron was. His forces would be stretched thin and the Autobots that joined him would be outnumbered, on unfavorable turf, and easily defeated. There was no doubt in Megatron's mind that Prime would see this himself, but his nobility would keep him from ignoring the small pockets of disturbance all around the globe.

The decoy mechs lined up as the large bay doors screeched open. Skywarp gave his wing mate a quick wink for good luck before teleporting into the open sky high above the base. Allowing himself a quick moment of freefall before shifting into his F-15 alt mode and tearing off into the endless blue. Thundercracker frowned at his friend's reckless dare devil departure and gracefully stepped into the air before he too soared off to his destination in the opposite direction. Soundwave's chest fell open ,and one by one, each cassette, except the flight impaired Ravage, hopped out. They transformed and remained behind while their guardian, followed closely by Scrapper and Blitzwing, flew away and out of sight.

"Decepticons, fall out."

At the sound of their leader's voice, the remaining bulk of the Con army departed, each one falling into formation. Starscream, as formality requested of him, waited until the others had taken off before he followed. Megatron would bring up the rear. However, Starscream was lost to his thoughts, focusing so intently on ignoring the burning presence just to his side, he failed to realize the other's had already gone. Normally he would have been given more time to shake off the abuse before a mission. His thoughts still wandering over the event and giving him very little peace of mind.

Optics practically burning a hole through the bay room floor, he jumped when he felt an all too familiar servo grip his upper arm and tug. Startled by the tyrant's touch so soon after, Starscream wheeled away, pulling from Megatron's grip with a gasp.

"Don't you touch me!" He hissed before running and throwing himself from the launch pad, racing towards the lead and away from Megatron.

The silver mech sighed. It felt like eons had passed since he had been allowed to even touch the seeker without such a harsh reaction. He used to sneak affectionate gestures on a regular basis. Grazing his fingers across Starscream's wing or even a quick sultry glance that would be returned with a shy smile. Always out of the sight of others, but even if one were to notice, back then it would have been acceptable. Anyone who knew the pair or spent any time near them and kept a sharp optic out could see and feel the chemistry burning between the two warriors.

Now the slightest brushing of elbows had the jet cringe away. Things had gone so wrong. And it was all his fault. If only he had been more patient.

Dragging himself back from his memories, Megatron followed his Decepticons. Starscream had already sped off with out him and was now leading the pack towards their goal. Normally Megatron would lead once their standard formation was ready, the jet falling into place just behind him. This time he hung back a few spans from his second in command.

He would let his former partner have this small victory for now. Megatron had already won once today.