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While exploring these last few weeks, I noticed something peculiar underneath the surface of the lake in Alpha Trion's quadrant. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it? Either way, I'm about to check it out.

[ what he isn't going to mention is the fact that there's a Decepticon symbol on the thing. the sound in the background is just Starscream flying before he cuts the feed.

and in a few minutes instead of just a voice recording... the video feed kicks on. looks kind of like a lab! actually it is a lab and quite a sizable one at that. ]

So it, ah. Let me in. [ can't say he's expecting that. and as he draws further inside, it's clear that this place isn't abandoned! ] Someone has been using this recently, that's for sure.

[ as he pans the Link around, anyone that's missing something due to the other Starscream stealing it can probably notice that this is where the guy has stored it. actually, looks like the majority of the items in here have been stolen. Starscream pauses at a particular piece of equipment with a frown. he knows this one! ]

This is Jetfire's... So much for misplacing it. My, my... Someone has some sticky fingers.

[ and there! it's probably recognizable to some... but that's definitely electrum in a container. Starscream meanders closer, looking at data! ]

Now what's this...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I thought it was...

[ and don't worry, Jetfire. he understands that sort of tone is meant for the other Starscream. kind of... just confirms everything right there. ]

He probably thought that it would be able to distinguish between himself and a different version of himself.

[He sighs, rubbing his chin.]

And getting all of that back, whoever of us are the... ah, proper owners, won't be the easiest. [Then he shakes his helm, quirking the upper ridge of an optic.]

Though it surprises me he didn't exercise more caution and consider that a computer probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Given that, for all intents and purposes, alternates are like clones.

Identical in energy signature at the most basic, which, given that Sunstorm couldn't tell the difference between an artificial decoy emitting Starscream's energy signature and Starscream himself, I would have thought he'd realise a computer would be even less capable of distinguishing between alternates.

[He knows Starscream's more clever than that. But perhaps he was relying on no one finding the hidden lab.]

I don't suppose he'll see the error of his ways and return them out of the goodness of his spark?

[ a little chuckle. he doubts it, but man does Starscream wish it. ]

How often do you see jets diving under lakes? He probably didn't think someone would come looking. Though he might be arrogant enough to believe that his alternates are not as clever as he.

That's... not quite something that can be expected, no.

[It's dry and somewhat exasperated but, unfortunately perhaps, definitely fond as well. It's annoying and not something that should happen and he keeps hoping it won't, but well.]

Probably not, no. But if someone had caught him diving, they'd have come looking... though I supposed it was only his bad luck that meant you managed to catch wind of it.

Since if it'd been anyone else, they'd not been let in as you were.

[It is, in a way, very clever. Just unfortunate for him that there's actually at least one alternate of him around in the Haven.]

[ once more there is no judging. Jetfire you can date who you want, but Starscream might wander about your taste. ]

Would they? Surely he's not that suspicious...

[That makes him smile.]

For some, yes, that'd be enough.

For others... perhaps not.

[A pause as he chuckled and raised the upper ridge of an optic.]

If it wasn't for the fact that he'd have been diving into the lake. That's not something we usually do, especially not if you don't have an aquatic altmode.

True, but there's nothing innately wrong or suspicious about carving out a little bit of space for oneself.

Not really, no. But choosing a lake?

He could've gone for.... ah, carving a space out in one of the mountains and it'd have been less suspicious than choosing a location in a medium very different from what his own altmode is made for, and what most could easily navigate in.

[He loves Starscream, most assuredly, but he's not the most subtle... and a dose of suspicion when dealing with him is usually healthly to have.]

Well. We all have our glitches.

[ and this Starscream seems to have a lot of them! ]

Besides... He does seem to love being dramatic.

[He's just... going to reset his vocaliser and grin at first.]

True. For... ah, both of those observations. [Chuckling, Jetfire shakes his helm.] That, at least, is a trait that has remained and not changed in any precieveable way.

...Beg pardon?

[ no, really. what did you just mean by that statement, Jetfire. HE DOESN'T KNOW THE STORY BETWEEN YOU TWO. ]

Ah, I apologise.

[The smile turns slightly drier.]

He wasn't... as sharp. As manic and definitely not as violent before the war. [Shrugging, Jetfire looks away briefly and then back.] One could undoubtedly expect some... ah, changes when engaged in violent conflict for millions of years, but in Starscream's case there was some very... sharp turns made.

[Not so much history between them as having seen the difference between then and now and the changes inbetween.]

He was hardly overly pleasant or nice, but, back then I wouldn't ever have thought him... ah, capable of the things he's done.

[ tapping his chin in thought... ]

Do you really think it was just the war?

[ people do change during traumatic experiences, it's true. people fall into the rouse of doing whatever they can to survive...

but sometimes there's more to it than that. ]

[he's quiet for a few moments, optics unfocused before he looks back at Starscream... and locks the post. Really, he's doubtfully going to be saying anything revolutionary, but he's not interested in letting any and everyone be able of seeing this either.]

Only? No. But prior to the war he wouldn't have... committed genocide on the whole of Iacon city, wouldn't have killed with not a single care about the deaths.

He was ruthless before it, yes, but his methods involved no... er, lethal violence. [Leaning back and crossing his arms, Jetfire frowns.] He usually tended towards vicious retaliation if he thought himself slighted, yes... and I had to rein him back in a few times... but none of it would've killed anyone.

The arena, Megatron's methods in forging the Decepticons... [A slow shake of his helm.] it seems like it... ah, loosened something. Something that, without proper actions to have bared it, wouldn't have come to light.

... Not like it was, anyway.

Edited 2014-05-18 14:34 (UTC)

G-genocide?

[ he had thought killing normal. or well. expected. genocide? NOT SO MUCH. it's appalling. makes his tanks churn. ]

...Something almost feral?

He only 'pushed the button', figuratively and literally, but that doesn't change the fact that the result was that Iacon was, more or less, razed.

[Jetfire's optics darkens for a moment before he slowly shakes his helm and focuses back on Starscream.]

... Yes. That... does seem like an apt description. He seems to have... ah, settled more now from when I last saw him before the Ark and the Nemesis left Cybertron, but that, obviously, cannot change everything back to the beginning.

It doesn't change the fact that his actions directly resulted in the death of countless lives, no.

[ looks and sounds disappointed. and hurt. why anyone can do that... he doesn't understand. he couldn't back then and he can't even now. ]

No, perhaps not. Things can never go back to how they were. That doesn't mean they can't change for the better either.

No, it most definitely doesn't.

[Flatly stated, because he knows perfectly well it can't.]

Perhaps not, no. Though, to be honest, I didn't think they could. [Jetfire shrugs, his earlier drawn expression softening faintly.]

Even if he also showed himself to be... ah, true to form after I was thawed, he was also much more... together than I've seen him in a long time. Not the same sort of... feral as he was earlier.

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