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✘ tf: idw | starscream

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[Broadcasting perched on an outcropping over a lava flow, seemingly sounding unbothered by the misstep into a sideways universe--first rule of Decepticon Club is never let em know you're scared.]

So, this looks like Cybertron--actually, a lot like the one I just came from. But from my recon, it's either a time, a space, or a time and space displacement.

Little bee, are you here? [elaborating] I'm looking for an Autobot named Bumblebee. About this high--[indicates short, midchest height]--gold, kinda stout. I'll also accept Metalhawk, Wheeljack - Soundwave? How about Prowl, with my luck he's here. [Bueller?]

--For the rest of you, my name is Starscream. Maybe you've heard of me. [and he's smirking a little self-indulgently at the thought. No matter how dangerous or inconvenient it might be to be preknown in a brave new world, it's nice to be important.]

I'm here to help.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And ignoring history means you're dooming yourself to repeating it. I'm not holding onto anything, Drift--[Venting in frustration, takes a second to recalibrate, to prove he can do this thing diplomatically. Actions, louder than words etc.] I'm saying I can work to protect everyone's interests, by making sure the Decepticons who don't go in for your "let's all join hands and forget the past" speeches don't ruin things for the rest of them. My interest is in protecting mechs who'd otherwise be hurting each other--isn't that enough?

I know more about history than you might think, Starscream. All you know is about repeating it. [One failed scheme after another. Even when you had the Matrix, in your hands, you wasted it.]

[He shrugs.] And out of curiosity what's the penalty if we decline your generous offer?

[calmly] You're wrong about me, but you can think what you want. It's a free planet.

[genuinely mystified] You really believe it, don't you. This whole "Starscream is evil" shtick, I mean. You're not just jerking my gears. You, of all mechs.

[He sighs. Starscream has a point, after all. And being Starscream, he twists the point into a very sharp weapon.]

[When he speaks, his voice is softer.] I'm sorry. You're right. I don't believe it, but you don't understand the situation here, yet.

I'm open to guidance. [once he's got what he wants, he relents instantly, becoming accommodating and genial instead of stubborn.] And my processors are nothing if not adaptable. So tell me what you need and I'll prove to you that you can rely on me for it.

Like I've been telling you. There's no war here. We destroyed our Cybertron with our war. We had no right to do that. We have less of a right to do it again, here.

All we need is not to let ourselves get in the way of finding a way home.

You're right, I'm not planning on reigniting any tensions. In fact, like I've been saying, it's my goal to keep a lid on the Decepticon faction--[And then he shuts his voicebox down briefly to actually listen, and pauses.]

...A way home. And what if we can't manage that?

You can do that by reminding them there are no factions here. Whatever we fought for back home, isn't here anymore.

If we can't manage that, that gives us all the more reason not to ruin this Cybertron.

If I do that, they won't have any reason to look to me. [more quietly] Look. I know you mean well. But people without guidance do much dumber things than people who have it.

Maybe looking to you isn't the right answer, then. Maybe we can all decide what we want for ourselves; no demagogues.

[Which you fell for too, back before the war, if Drift remembers the story.]

No. No we don't. We do just fine.

Right, and if they decide what they want is to rip you a new waste disposal unit?

Then they die. [A shrug.] I can defend myself, without belonging to a faction.

So you're willing to kill mechs I could have persuaded to behave in unnecessary fights. Drift. Think about this.

You're making a false dichotomy, Starscream.

It's not 'either they rally around you' or 'anarchy'. There's a middle way, one that keeps power spread evenly over all of us, instead of one mech [Sorry for the pointed look but you're asking for it] claiming more than his share.

[just shakes his head slowly.] When did I say anyone was "rallying around me", exactly? I said I'd mediate. That's not ruling, and your bias is showing. If you'd rather kill mechs I want to talk to, I'm not the one ruining a shot at a war-free Cybertron.

Relax.

Because, to have any chance of getting them to listen, to mediate, you need to have some power. To give them something or to take something away.

It's simple logic, Starscream, not a character assassination.

[Really, your paranoia gives you away.]

Nope. They know me, they know the kind of thing I value, and they know I'll look out for their interests, if I can. That much I proved on Cybertron, while you were off on your quest--but you weren't there to see it, so I get why you're not on the same page as I am.

[he smiles--more patient.] I know you have the best intentions, but you're not exactly politically minded.

Starscream. [Drift is trying to be patient.] If they 'know you', what do they know you for? What is 'Starscream' to them? They know your history. And even if they forgive it, they know what Starscream is to them. It may be wrong, it may be unfair for them to hold another universe's mech with your name against you, but it will happen.

That's really sweet. But I can take care of myself, Drift. Decepticon representative, remember?

I remember.

I remember a lot from back then.

Now what's that supposed to mean?

Let me put it this way.

What have you learned from the past?

Not to repeat it.

What about you.

Is that all?

Sorry, I'm not getting on my knees to beg forgiveness from you.

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