Nexus: Near the Sign: Encounters with Starscreams

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

Skywarp is trudging back through the Nexus, taking the scenic route just to accommodate some brooding time. Blackout was still unconscious when he dropped in to check her condition, and until that changes, he knows he can't be expected to do anything.

On the other hand, it will change soon, and he has enough food for thought to feed a race of psychovores for a couple of centuries at least. So he detours through a quieter patch of Nexus, and tries to think.

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[random_xtras]

In another reality a broken scrap of a spark jerks awake with a gasp, and then flashes out of existence, leaving her startled spark-mate to sit up and call after her in a panic.

In her confusion the spark returns to the last place that she lived, slipping into the nearest shell to hide.

Skywarp is that shell.

The next thing he knows his circuits are staticking, and something is broadcasting fear and confusion and pain.

-No... no,- whispers a voice like a whisper of a memory. -Master... must wait for my master....-

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

What? Who-?

Skywarp jerks and shouts, turning around as he tries to find where the effect is coming from. "What is this?" he snarls.

[random_xtras]

-What...? Where...? The fear and confusion increases, accompanied by a slight feel of something moving across his circuits.

YOU'RE NOT ALONE IN THERE, SKYWARP.

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

He shudders and grabs at himself instinctively, running every diagnostic in the book. Who the Pit are you? Get out!

He's getting too used to this 'mess with Skywarp's processors' game...

[random_xtras]

Blind terror flashes back at him as the unseen intruder cowers and radiates apology and supplication. And then an image of a grey mech with hard crimson optics rips across his awareness, and the terror increases.

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

What? he asks again, trying to resist the urge to turn blindly on the outside, though he's floundering within. Who is that? Something about the image feels familiar...

[random_xtras]

-Megatron!!- the faint voice wails. -No! Please! I tried so hard, I didn't mean to fail! Aiieeeee!-

She's still caught in the dream, and in that dream she's being pounded to insensibility.

[random_xtras]

Terror blasts back at him, though it too is muted by weariness.

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

He growls at the presence. I want to know who you are. And why you're trying to take my shell!

[random_xtras]

Wordless denial. Not trying to take... only to hide.

Then she brushes against his spark and he sees the image of a slender Seeker form, frail and faint, and dominated by the gaping hole through her chest. Frightened red optics seem to stare into his, and then are shuttered as the tattered spark shudders and causes more static.

But she knows she's dead. That hole shouldn't be there.

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

What...? He jerks and shudders violently at the touch of another spark. You can't hide here! This is mine!

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-Please.... I'm sorry-

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

What the slag are you hiding from? You're already dead!

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Suddenly it's as if he's face to face with Megatron again as that mech bellows with rage. "YOU FOOL, STARSCREAM!!!!!"

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

Skywarp flinches back out of sheer shock. And then realises... that's not Megatron.

I only think it is because she does - this is some halluci- there's a what in my circuits?

Forget resentment. That's out-and-out anger rising in his core.

[random_xtras]

Ack, no not anger, Skywarp! That's gonna make it....

Worse.

Welcome to really frizzed circuits and more flashbacks.

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

Skywarp has no intention of being flashbacked into submission...

...Still, when he gets himself calm enough for the fritzing to slow down a bit, it's down to exhaustion as much as self-control.

[random_xtras]

He's now walked a few million miles in a Starscream's shoes. A Starscream who's so confused right now that she doesn't even know which way is up and is starting to experience vertigo on top of the static and pain.

A shadow falls over the prone Seeker then.

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

Skywarp shudders and growls at the new feedback, then realises dimly what his sensors are telling him.

He rolls half-blind to his knees, training and instinct making the motions familiar, and directs a glare at whoever's there. Momentary lapse or not, he's not a target for anyone. Back off before I spread the pain.

[random_xtras]

"Jes keep in mind. T'worse bad$%#$%# ye gits t' worse abroad she gits." Hormah scans him again. "Oh by t'way. She's awake now."

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

"Wonderful. Does that mean she'll stop spamming my processors?" Calm thoughts, Skywarp. Remember your training...

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"I was after meanin' t' boss." Hormah smirks.

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

That distracts him for a second or three. "Oh. Well... excellent."

Starscream may be able to feel the relief and the pleasure, even if she can't make sense of it.

[random_xtras]

The free spark feels it indeed, and calms, then seems to rest wearily against the inside of his shell and slowly shake her head as she struggles to pull herself together.

"'N she's after feelin' some better." Hormah notes this with her scans and feels relieved, but doesn't show it.

[agent-skywarp.livejournal.com]

"Fine. Fine. Good work." He rubs his helmet, wincing. "Maybe I'll pay her a visit later - after we get this... thing... out of me." Calm, calm, keep the disgust reined in...