[Video] Possible Responses from both TFP Shockwave and Starscream

[my_own_trope]

[Starscream had awoken to find himself lost, confused, alone, and at a disadvantage more than thrice over. That had been two weeks ago. In that time he'd remembered a few things -- not nearly enough by any standard -- but he knew the war at home was won, and furthermore, was sure he'd been here before.

Discreetly skulking around, he'd tried to regain his bearings, and the specialized scanning software of a commanding energon seeker had allowed him to eventually find his present location, hidden as it was: Shockwave's mancave Starscream's new secret fort. To be fair, massive amounts of energon hidden beneath the landscape usually merited looking into anyway.
That was one week ago.]

---

[Private to Liege Maximo]
[It had taken Starscream this long to decide he was going to contact his Prime. The memory of Maximo was there, but it was as much a comfort as it was distressing. Starscream didn't know what note their relationship had last been on, but he sincerely hoped it was a positive one.]

My Liege, your humble servant returns. [He bows, the video dipping slightly] I await your command, and relish the opportunity of being of use to you -- however you deem fit.

[Welp, here's hoping that covered most of the important bases. And at the very least, it might be enough of a heads-up should Starscream find himself suddenly in need of ... hopping back off-grid.]

---

[Everybody else: ]
[The video opens to Starscream grinning in a dark, somewhat poorly lit place.]

Some of you might be wondering after my absence. [Of how long, he's uncomfortably unsure.] Well, rest assured, Haven, my time spent away has led to great accomplishments.

[The camera pans out as Starscream presents this with a grandiose gesture. Straightening, he thumbs a button on a device in his hand and the glowing lights instantly shut off. The camera pans back to Starscream, following him as he moves away. ]

While under the radar, I've been busy creating this. Allow me to present to you: ~a fully functional groundbridge~.
[Smugness levels are off the charts]

Yes, that's right, in this cave, using little more than a box of scraps, I've been able to engineer an incredibly sophisticated piece of machinery. Now, I might be a genius, but it was certainly no small feat given what I had to work with. And yet, here we are.

Should any of you want to use my bridge, know this: admissions is hardly free. But~ I'm sure with enough begging, we can work something out~~. I --

[Off screen there's a flash of light, and the very distinct sound of a groundbridge activating.]

I'll call you back.

Comments

[gtfostalker]

[Strelok is not behind that crate. Mostly because he had moved himself from that spot. He's not going to get caught into that trap of hiding behind cover and just staying there. That's how you get eaten by things.

He doesn't respond to the threat, easy at it would be. He does, however, roll his eyes. He didn't think people actually talked like that.]

[raceme]

[One of the things missing in that villain's handbook of evil things Starscream has is the number #1 rule of survival: Don't do evil things where the good guys can see you. Blurr knows that Starscream is not the smartest of creatures but he didn't think that the bot could be this stupid. As soon as he sees what is going on, he runs to Shockwave's lair. It doesn't really take him much to get there and track down the mech.

Don't mind Blurr sudden entrance as he purposely steps on Starscream's head, pushing him down, and then jumps. He's already running again by the time his wheels touch the ground. He scoops up Strelok with his left hand, the right one changing into his chainsaw and moving protective over the man. All happened in less than five seconds, give or take.]

[fun_police]

[And following behind him was another Autobot, acting as Blurr's back-up. Prowl remained in his vehicle mode to keep up, engine roaring as he traversed the tunnels of the lair.]

[He enters the scene half a minute later, transforming back into his bipedal mode with gun in hand. He'll just make himself comfortable in front of the exit, thanks.]

Don't move - you're under arrest.

[The jig is up, buster brown.]

[my_own_trope]

[Already on his knees, Starscream found his face used as a springboard and squawked indignantly. #Ouch.
Scrambling to his feet, he eyed the exit, prepared to jump over Blurr and transform .... except geez, where were all these Autobots even coming from, because suddenly there was another, much chunkier one blocking the door.]

Under arrest? For what?

[Nevertheless, Starscream lowered his centre of gravity, crouching a bit, and aimed the rockets of both arms at each of his shiny new targets. Shockwave was going to be upset if a firefight broke out in his lab, but then again, Starscream never did much care for Shockwave's opinion.]

[gtfostalker]

[One minute, Strelok is on the floor, hiding and trying to exchange his pistol for his assault rifle. The next, he is scooped up in a familiar hand. He looks up, rifle halfway in his hands already, and smiles.]

Ah, my hero, come to my rescue once again! And you brought a friend.

[A cop friend, if 'arrest' is anything to go by. That is definitely knew... as far as he knows. The stalker peeks through Blurr's fingers at Starscream. Arrest him for what? Oh, Strelok can answer that. Even if he has to shout to be heard.]

For trying to kill me, Claw-hand! I have been transmitting all this time!
[Then, more to Blurr, he adds-] I shot him twice, but only in defense I swear.

[It feels so weird having to justify his shots again.]

[raceme]

I thought you could use a hand. One without claws. [Blurr smiled but his eyes never left Starscream and his rockets. He was almost sure he could doge the projectiles but he rather not take the risk, not with Prowl and Strelok inside the room too.]

Ashesaid,youareunderarrestforassaultandattemptedmurderyouhavetherighttoremainsilent_{evenifIdoubtyouhavethecapacity}anythingyousaymaybeusedagainstyouinacourtoflawandISTRONGLYsuggestyoutoloweryourweaponsbeforeweareforcedtotakefurthermeasuresagainstyou.

[Blurr already didn't like the mech and Starscream was giving him more reasons to feel disgusted by him.]

Don't worry we will investigate that later. [That last part was directed at the man in his hand. Blurr pulled him closer to his chest just in case the con decided to fire.]