Downtown Aleppo- Syrian Government Bunker>>He does at that. Few things in the universe come close to Megatron’s charisma. It’s only surpassed by his prowess in battle.<<
Redwing nodded in agreement. No one came close in power and might than the raw and unsurpassed strength of Lord Megatron. Even when Redwing had doubts about the Decepticon Cause, Megatron put him back in place. The mere thought of doing something against his will was terrifying. He'd seen what had happened to Commander Starscream when he opposed him on a few occasions. Redwing knew if that were him, he'd just be slag for the scrap pile.
>>Stay alert, you two. We may be safe in these forms, but that doesn’t mean we can look sloppy. I know you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t capable.<<
Amethyst looked towards
Thundercracker from her place standing near Redwing, and she nodded, repkying via commlink,
>>'Aye, aye, Sir!’<< Sure, Thundercracker was no Officer, but he was higher ranking than she was and he deserved respect.
The holomatter avatar of the purple Seeker, a young woman dressed in a black leather flight suit with combat boots, surveyed the area, a flamethrower rifle slug across her back on a tether. She smoked a cigarette she'd taken out of her chest pocket” lighting it seemingly with a match. She noted the “real” fleshies talking with Megatron and his entourage. A deal was being made. She hadn't seen a deal like this before. Sure...she was sure he'd made plenty of these deals, but the Seeker grunt had never been around to see it herself. Neither had Redwing.
Then came the hotshot with his shades, looking all cool. It was none other than
Thrust of course. He came walking up to Amethyst and Redwing and stood with them, before addressing Amethyst,
“Ah, warrior,”
The purple seeker turned his way and waited for him to speak more, as was expected.
“You performed well at our first encounter. Most wait to see where to go and what to do, but you didn’t hesitate. That speaks very highly of you.”
Amethyst smiled, and said, flicking her holo-avatar's hair and putting her hands on her hips, “Thank you, Thrust. I'm only doing what comes naturally. I miss a good fire fight. It was fun watching the fleshling and his dwelling burn.”
Thrust would then turn his attention to Redwing and speak to him more critically,
“Careful where you step, warrior. One miscalculation and your partner will surpass you.”
The red head nodded to Thrust. He knew the conehead meant well. It was true. Amethyst had performed brilliantly while Redwing was just blundering about. He had to switch modes fast.
“You're right. I gotta step up my game.”, he said. He then gave a wink towards Amethyst. The purple seeker giggled. She knew Redwing could do better. He just had to focus on the mission first and foremost. That's what they all had to do, afterall.
“Our time to bring glory to the Decepticon Empire is upon us, warriors. Make me proud.”
“Aye!”, said Amethyst.
“Aye!”, said Redwing.
They looked about their immediate vicinity and watched as Megatron continued with the proceedings. Amethyst had her earth weapon ready if any unwanted actual fleshies showed up. Redwing did the same. Both of them yearned for battle. It was only a matter of time. Why else would they be here?
---------------
Ravage, having regrouped with the rest of the Decepticons at the Syrian Government Bunker, sat there as a cat does, staring at the others present and listening to
Flamewar and the fleshies speak. The talk of “further purchases” amused him and he smiled inwardly, while giving his lips a lick as he looked at the humans, intentionally trying to unnerve them. He then proceeded to groom his paws as he awaited further instructions and listened to the proceedings.
Outskirts of Aleppo- Abandoned Warehouse"Starscream...if even a tenth of this idiocy you speak is true, it has cemented for all time why you will never have the judgment necessary to lead this empire. You will learn nothing of the role you are to play in facing execution. Hopefully this abject failure will be a better teacher. Remove yourself. Return to the Thanatos once again with the knowledge that it is only by my generosity that you continue to exist. See to your repairs and be ready for deployment at my call. Go."
The panicked but weakened Starscream remained kneeling uncomfortably before his Master as he listened to him. The criticism sank into his very being. Oh yes, he knew his farce was a lie.
Megatron didn't know how big of a lie it was though. The seeker just needed Megatron to believe at least some of it for credibility sake (more like to save his aft from an early demise). Also, the Decepticon Emperor was being indeed generous! Starscream was immensely relieved that he'd be able to leave the area without further damage. He was already critical enough as it was.
“Yes….My Lord. Thank...you.”, the injured jetformer spoke, coughing up inner energon. He'd get up and start hobbling over to the bounce pad within the makeshift base, taking note of the mechs here (most of his own mechs were here that'd normally be under his command) as he went and the other curious device, a holomatter formatting chamber. He found that very interesting. Use the Autobots’ technology for a more sinister purpose. Yes, the operations of dominance were proceeding nicely, without his help…
He grimaced, and stumbled, nearly falling before righting himself. That's when he noticed
Astrotrain and
Octane laughing in low tones while looking at him. He growled under his breath and shot them a murderous look. He couldn't deal with them now for his health's condition, but if they knew any better they'd shut up right now.
His lackeys that'd gone with him to Mars were squabbling amongst themselves. One cried out
”No, wait, that's not what happened!”, before he was stopped by the others. Starscream turned his head and looked at the scene unfolding behind him, his optics flaring ominously in the dim light. He said nothing, but watched and listened, as they only mildly recounted the fiasco differently. That wouldn't further harm their Commander's reputation. He turned back around, hobbling into the bounce chamber that'd take him up to the Thanatos.
'Good boys. Your loyalty…is duly noted.’, Starscream thought to himself, and he tapped a few keys on the control panel to initiate the bounce sequence, and soon he was gone, leaving behind only a pool of blood.