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"Leave your message."
un: $aircommander
"Leave your message."
un: $aircommander
Commander! It would appear that we'll be working together for the foreseeable future!
Is there anything in particular you want of me before we go on our first mission?
Is there anything in particular you want of me before we go on our first mission?
[ As Slipstream's message comes after this exchange, Starscream is practically radiating malcontent across the line. ]
How about you find a third member for this flight crew who is not a sanctimonious malingerer, because I fear the current one may soon find themselves out of the position.
[ And possibly with some missile holes in her. ]
How about you find a third member for this flight crew who is not a sanctimonious malingerer, because I fear the current one may soon find themselves out of the position.
[ And possibly with some missile holes in her. ]
You... You mean Anode?
[She's very confused about what Starscream can possibly be talking about. Anode is so easy to get alone with that sure he must be talking about someone else.]
[She's very confused about what Starscream can possibly be talking about. Anode is so easy to get alone with that sure he must be talking about someone else.]
Can I ask what happened?
[Might as well get both sides of the story.]
[Might as well get both sides of the story.]
I was attempting to politely inquire whether she had any sort of training so that we would not be caught unawares while scouting a potentially hostile world because she doesn't know the basics of defensive aerial combat.
Instead I am treated to some unhinged lecture about the evils of the war and her virtuous position as a Neutral, as though the rest of us were just dumb brutes who woke up one day and decided to massacre each other instead of it being the unavoidable consequence of an oppressed planet where mechs were regularly persecuted for doing things like trying to change jobs or learn skills outside their caste.
Instead I am treated to some unhinged lecture about the evils of the war and her virtuous position as a Neutral, as though the rest of us were just dumb brutes who woke up one day and decided to massacre each other instead of it being the unavoidable consequence of an oppressed planet where mechs were regularly persecuted for doing things like trying to change jobs or learn skills outside their caste.
[This all sounds very heavy and way over her head. She's not sure who to side with here. She has no choice but to be a disgusting centrist.]
Well, if it's for our job, shouldn't we try to put our differences aside, Commander? I'm sure she has her reasons.
Besides! The only other person I can think of to join us is the other Starscream. Isn't Anode the better option in this case?
Well, if it's for our job, shouldn't we try to put our differences aside, Commander? I'm sure she has her reasons.
Besides! The only other person I can think of to join us is the other Starscream. Isn't Anode the better option in this case?
[ The expression that crosses Starscream's face says he's absolutely considered that option in the immediate aftermath of the conversation with Anode and found it... lacking. ]
No. You of all people should know that an insubordinate in the wing puts the whole wing at risk. I am not going to take take the chance of something befalling you or myself because she decides she needs to be contrary to prove how above us she is.
You and I are Seekers, we are perfectly capable of doing the task on our own.
No. You of all people should know that an insubordinate in the wing puts the whole wing at risk. I am not going to take take the chance of something befalling you or myself because she decides she needs to be contrary to prove how above us she is.
You and I are Seekers, we are perfectly capable of doing the task on our own.
[Slipstream doesn't have any more arguments, and she can feel herself droop, defeated.]
Yessir, whatever you say.
Yessir, whatever you say.
[ Starscream gives a long ex-vent. ]
There are too few of us left, Slipstream, at least in my universe. Irregardless to whether you are the version of the captain I flew with before or not, I would not have an unneeded rift between us, if possible.
There are too few of us left, Slipstream, at least in my universe. Irregardless to whether you are the version of the captain I flew with before or not, I would not have an unneeded rift between us, if possible.
There isn't one, sir. I know where my loyalties lie.
[Though they lie in very complicated ways. Hopefully that doesn't come to bite her in the wings later.]
I am a Decepticon soldier, and I know my place.
[Though they lie in very complicated ways. Hopefully that doesn't come to bite her in the wings later.]
I am a Decepticon soldier, and I know my place.
Did Slipstream tell you about her Starscream? What he DID?
You know what, it doesn't matter. For the benefit of our truce, I'm giving you a heads up: he's a slag-sucking fragger, and he's HERE.
And I'm going to put him down.
You know what, it doesn't matter. For the benefit of our truce, I'm giving you a heads up: he's a slag-sucking fragger, and he's HERE.
And I'm going to put him down.
My plan is to rip out his internals and make him an example to others.
He's hurt her. I don't plan to let that stand.
He's hurt her. I don't plan to let that stand.
Hello you are...
[He squints at the name.]
Soundwave?
No wait.
You're Starscream, right?
I'm Tailgate and I'm here to ask your opinion on big blue and purple boats.
[He squints at the name.]
Soundwave?
No wait.
You're Starscream, right?
I'm Tailgate and I'm here to ask your opinion on big blue and purple boats.
Actually, I'm trying to set you up on a blind date with my good friend Riptide.
Personally, I think you should go for it! You've got nothing to lose.
Personally, I think you should go for it! You've got nothing to lose.
I may have made a slight miscalculation.
Do not say 'I told you so'.
Do not say 'I told you so'.
I will say what I want, you over-impulsive, shortsighted, more octane-boosted than working circuits idiot.
[ Maybe he should have let him go with "I told you so"... ]
THINK, next time! If there is any Starscream from a world where Megatron remains alive, they must have had to defend themselves. How often has a frontal assault worked to take YOU out?
[ Maybe he should have let him go with "I told you so"... ]
THINK, next time! If there is any Starscream from a world where Megatron remains alive, they must have had to defend themselves. How often has a frontal assault worked to take YOU out?
Do NOT lecture me! I know what I did wrong; I let my anger get the better of me. Next time, he won't have his tricks to fall back on.
[ He's still getting used to having to hold the common sense all by himself, okay? ]
Those little pets of his apparently EAT METAL, just in case you were wondering.
[ He's still getting used to having to hold the common sense all by himself, okay? ]
Those little pets of his apparently EAT METAL, just in case you were wondering.
Yes, in fact, I do! And as if YOU would react any better when he brings up Thundercracker's name like that.
[ Yes, he has in fact figured out some of what you meant Starscream, reading that last message. The mention still hurts, still gets under his plating in the same way. But Thundercracker had all the common sense, and Starscream will simply have to try to do better. ]
I didn't even know what a fragging scraplet was until they started BITING!
At least this hasn't been completely fruitless.
[ Yes, he has in fact figured out some of what you meant Starscream, reading that last message. The mention still hurts, still gets under his plating in the same way. But Thundercracker had all the common sense, and Starscream will simply have to try to do better. ]
I didn't even know what a fragging scraplet was until they started BITING!
At least this hasn't been completely fruitless.
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