[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Air Supremacy [Open/Seekers]

[Deleted]

-Episode 3
-Week 2
-Day 1

A loud screeching wail of a jet echoed through the concealed mountains high above the ground brought life to the Steens Mountains. The doppler effect increasing its long drawn out cry thrusting further and further outward just beyond the hidden refuge of Blackridge Hold, if one were observing carefully from the base they could see the small winged figure of a jet swerving in and out of the canyons, ascending and descending over the large wave like formations of earth and rock. Occasionally the jet would spin loops as it raced down the gorges quickly shooting high above the sky before free falling to a dangerously close distance to the ground before shooting straight back through the gorge. Eventually the jet halted its acceleration, becoming more visible, the dark navy and gold palette marked with the distinctive Decepticon insignia, raised its nose high enough before the cockpit shifted back into the body, with more various mechanical pieces shifting and rearranging itself, the Decepticon Seeker Dreadwing emerged from his newly acquired alternate form.  

He crashes to the ground leaving a small indent in the rocky terrain but otherwise was completely, the Seeker readjusted his shoulder plates it had been many eons since he needed or even used his transformation ability that his body was still adjusting to the quick nature of the change. "This is the place..." It had been three months in the Earth calendar since the failed attempt to destroy the Autobots at Haven, war had returned but on a different planet, both forces were preparing to engage with the recent news of the Energon mine raid, Dreadwing among other Seekers were summoned for some training exercises. Although the return of Megatron pushed back Starscream to the snivelling vermin Dreadwing remembered him as , which brought great pleasure and joy to him, the Commander had retained his rank, orders were orders even if he disagreed or dislikes those that give it. Through whatever personal quarrel he had throughout the war on Cybertron, Dreadwing could not deny that Starscream was right in preparing the Seekers for battle. 

Arriving earlier than the rest, he took this time to reflect on Haven and many other matters he left unresolved, he felt no remorse in his actions or part in the surprise attack, yet he felt conflicted. A strange sensation came to him whenever he thought about it, was it how he was denied opportunity to face the great Optimus Prime? Was it the cowardly way in which they ended the truce? Or was it the fact that he had failed? Furthermore he never even asked any fellow Decepticons about Skyquake, his twin or his whereabouts or even any sightings or news.  

Dreadwing grunted to himself, pacing back and forth over the cliff’s edge, his head focused on the ground, buried in his bulky frame, some matters were left to a less demanding time. He had a role to fulfil, in his Commander’s ‘grand wisdom’ he was chosen to lead the Seekers in this training, whether this was a test of his abilities or simple lack of care from Starscream he could not tell, Dreadwing did not complain, he must take as many chances as possible to prove his leadership skills to Megatron to have a seat at his table. So there he stood waiting at the rendezvous point, arms now behind his back in a more attentive stature waiting to be introduced to the Seekers he would be commanding today.   

[Starscream]

It’d been a very long five days since Megatron had returned.

Dethroned from his rightful position of Lord in the blink of an optic, Starscream was still adjusting to the change and the unfortunate backslide down to his former rank of Second in Command.

There had been no time to dwell on his loss, though - with Megatron’s arrival came new plans for war. The Truce had been long since broken and the Decepticons had been quietly thriving. Starscream had built for them a strong foundation, with resources and Energon at their disposal, but now with Megatron returning? It’d rekindled a newfound sense of urgency in the troops to finish what they started.

Starscream had kept busy in the five days, the first and most important order of business had been to arrange a small meeting with Dreadwing concerning the other Seekers and fliers. Starscream was their Air Commander after all, and it’d been far too long since they’d gotten to show they ruled the skies. The location of Blackridge did not help, the underground base put a slight damper on their freedom and ability to simply make their way to the flight deck to train like they could on the Nemesis.

But they would have to make do.

All reports they had on the Autobots did not indicate a strong air presence. What information they had on them, they were mostly Grounders - meaning from a tactical standpoint? The supremacy the Decepticons held over the skies was something they’d be foolish not to take advantage of.

Meaning they had to hone their skills and prepare for battle.

Dreadwing had suggested War Games - to test their abilities and stretch their wings, and as busy as Starscream was? He’d agreed it was a good - and much needed - idea. If they were to overcome and defeat not only the Autobots, but the human pests as well? They had to act as a uniformed group. One Seeker alone was deadly, but with a pack- well, they’d be unstoppable.

But it meant working in unison.

Dreadwing had once upon a time been a Captain of the Seekers, and while he and the slim Second in Command did not see eye to eye, he was an asset that was of use to Starscream. He had skills, and should Starscream ever fall in battle, would undoubtedly be next in line for the position of Air Commander.

So this was also a test- to see how he did. His attempt at bombing Haven had not gone to plan, with no fatalities reported. Would his strategies and arrangements here be able to redeem him for that mishap? Time would tell.

Dreadwing was not left waiting long - the familiar sound of roaring engines wooshed closer to his position. Not just one though, it seemed. Starscream was not alone.

There were no dramatics, no showing off of his skills - merely getting from point A, to point B with no fuss, a shifting of parts as he transformed to gently drop onto his pedes, narrowing his optics as he looked around, before his gaze settled on the taller mech.

Annoyance would be the first thing felt in his field, and while he made no motions of moving closer to Dreadwing, he would speak - voice carrying over the short gap between them.

“Please tell me you aren’t planning to have these war games within spitting distance of our base, Dreadwing…”

Nothing would draw attention to them faster than jets circling overhead…

[Coldwind]

Starscream had indeed not come alone. Harkening to an image from the good old days, another Decepticon tailed the Air Commander; Coldwind. Her hull was large, visible even as the lithe jet approached Dreadwing’s position and took on the familiar, serpentine shape of the Second-in-Command. He landed without his characteristic bravado, a detail Coldwind did not fail to notice. Megatron’s return curbed his enthusiasm for showing off as of late. Or at least, so it would seem.

Regardless, it was not her place to judge. Not now when plans were set into motion, and the war raged on once more. In many ways, Starscream’s brute found no small measure of satisfaction in knowing that her commander had agreed to Dreadwing’s proposal. The opportunity to take wing with fellow Seekers in joint combat practice was a rarity. That he should maintain some pretense of humility throughout was simply an added boon.

With that in mind, she transformed mere moments after the silver mech. At that point, Coldwind was still a good few feet above the ground, and so she came crashing down in a three-point landing, marring the rocky outcrop beneath her pedes with wide cracks and a thin layer of frost produced from the impact of her fist. Lastly, her wings snapped into place over her back as she stood up straight.

Now maintaining a powerful stance behind the Air Commander she had protected since time immemorial, the Seeker was a thorough reminder to any and all that Starscream was not alone on this world and that he had allies and accomplices who were willing and eager to crush his enemies underfoot—be they Autobot or Decepticon.

Her expression bespoke of contempt, and the way her massive frame shadowed the one-time Decepticon Lord indicated a clear distrust of Dreadwing. How convenient that it was Starscream who arrived first, and that Dreadwing alone was waiting. While she found satisfaction in war games and training, she knew better than to trust those who had a history with their leader. Still, her concerns played second fiddle to the anticipation. She was looking forward to this.

Thus, she simply let Starscream finish his piece in silence. Her presence was enough. She didn’t need to insert herself into the discussion of her superiors. After all, Dreadwing wasn’t the only thing out here that could pose a danger. And far be it from Coldwind to ignore potential threats.

Before they moved to a more suitable location, there was always a slight chance that a stray Autobot or an accursed human scavenger might find their way all the way out here. They had the home-field advantage, yes, but maintaining high alert was paramount.

[Deleted]

Dreadwing could not help but smirk upon the arrival of Starscream, the light roaring of his smaller jet, followed by his slender finesse frame gliding over the howling winds like a winged insect. The other sounds of engines roaring echoed through the gaping mountain pass that faced him. He could tell the now Second on Command had licked his wounds rather shamefully as he slithered his way to his masters heel in submission, Starscream’s landing was reason enough for the Seeker to face his audience on the small platform that housed the Decepticons, standing more attentive, this was his day of glory and he would force it to be without the condescending nature the Air Commander had always given him.

In the distance he could tell that Starscream was not alone closely tailing him was a larger jet, one he did not recognize but knew he or she had to be another Seeker, tailing that closely to another as an enemy would be foolish, resembling more like a wingman or bodyguard.

He knew the current condition of the Seekers were nothing like the days of old on Cybertron, the massive Armada that covered the skies in quick fashion, laying waste to whatever stood on the surface, taking joy as Autobots ran for their lives all well knowing they would not be able to escape them. He knew the Seekers now numbered in a mere pack, but a pack was far deadlier to small band of Autobots and even more deadly to tiny humans that cannot naturally reach the sky without needing a vehicle to achieve it.

The two landed, greeted by Dreadwing with a small nod of acknowledgment, his sight however was immediately drawn to this other Seeker that landed with him. She was larger than Starscream and had a frame much more in line with Dreadwing with a stocky appearance and heavy plating, her hand looming over the top of Starscream but not near the towering height of Dreadwing. She gave him a suspicious look which Dreadwing returned, his optics focusing before a voice broke the tension.

The two remained where they were not taking any means to get closer to him, not a concern for the Captain but a sense of divide was immediately felt. Followed by a condescending comment from his Commander, a slight reassurance that things will always pan out the way it used to, Dreadeing always finding a way despite such a lack of encouragement to do so. “No I would never be so foolish as to expose our base of operations, but I thought this would be the easiest and most secure place to rendezvous.” He looks over the two once more scanning the area around them before looking back out to the mountains. “I thought you would have gathered more unless the Seekers here have no concept of urgency, or do you struggle to be a leader to them?.” He turned his head so his optic was set on the new arrival again. “And who may you be?”

[Starscream]

Starscream kept his optics narrowed as Dreadwing responded, the annoyance not leaving his field even despite the other Seeker confirming that no, the war games would not be held here. There was no outward response to this, save for a mere nod.

Foolishly assuming that’d be the last of their interaction until they moved to another location, his frame would stiffen at the pointed verbal jab at his leadership skills and the lack of participants.

“We are the only Seekers, Dreadwing.” a snarled, almost snapped response. An unfortunate statement that showed just how dire their situation was. Seekers were a dying breed, and not many remained. Of course, Starscream made do with the aerial units of the Decepticons - he was the Air Commander after all, but there was a stark difference between a flier and Seeker.

“Unless you intended this exercise to be for all fliers, but even despite our lack of numbers- we all know that between the three of us we rule our domain and can achieve far more than what others could ever hope to.

As we have not moved to whatever location you have picked out, we still have opportunity to call upon others, should you wish to test them too.”

Their flying numbers far surpassed that of the Autobots, to the point that even if others did not show up for this training exercise today, with Starscream at their helm the day they flew into actual battle? Well. The chances of them being unsuccessful were slim to none.

As Coldwind was addressed, Starscream would take a cautious step to the side - allowing the femme room to step forward and introduce herself should she wish to. Or put Dreadwing in his place on Starscream’s behalf, whichever she saw more fitting.

He wouldn’t stop her either way.

[Coldwind]

Coldwind gave Starscream ample room to elaborate on the Seekers’ grim state. It was true, every word. Their kind was a rare and dying breed. Even when they numbered an army, they were still just the population of one polity. Though renowned, a Seeker was ever a scarce addition to any Decepticon’s battalion. Now that their race was dying, who knew how many of them were left at all. Either Dreadwing was yet oblivious to that fact, or he wanted to wound Starscream’s faith in his own leadership skills. Neither was behavior befitting a commanding officer.

It was a surprise when he then carried on to address Coldwind. Though she knew full well who Dreadwing was, it did not at first occur to her that many did not know her by name. She was, after all, just a soldier from an older time; and Starscream had plenty of assets at one point, enough for her to slip from some people’s attention. Everybody remembered the great leaders—few cared for the allies at their side. Such was her lot for much of the war.

She wouldn’t allow that. Not again. Not after Decagon.

With Starscream stepping aside, Coldwind squared off against Dreadwing. He was larger still, an impressive feat to be sure, considering she was no small femme. But that didn’t scare her, nor did she flinch from giving Dreadwing a proper introduction; with a reminder.

“I am Lieutenant Coldwind—and my only interest here is to make sure Starscream’s command is respected and obeyed. Without objections or questions.”

The timbre of her speech pointed towards a guttural and sour intonation, especially towards Coldwind’s last sentence. She did not take kindly to Dreadwing questioning Starscream’s ability to lead the Seekers. His blunt unawareness of their plight served only to further add insult to injury. But she wouldn’t dwell on his ignorance overlong. That was not her job.

Then she retired back to her commander’s side. Hopefully, Dreadwing could take a hint and would stall the commentary at least in Starscream’s presence. There was a chain of command, and while Dreadwing outranked Coldwind, the First Lieutenant outranked them both. His word was law.

At least so long as he was watching or until Megatron himself said otherwise.

[Deleted]

Dreadwing’s face dropped from his intense scowl ever present on his face to a downcast look of concern in mourning, he closes his optics relieving his at attention posture to a slightly hunched one. “I had no idea how few of us were left…”. For once he showed his true colours to his Commander for a split moment, a Seeker that has lost so much drifting for eons in space in isolation he quickly snaps out of such a state.

He shakes his head finally fully facing his Air Commander and his chosen Lieutenant returning back to prideful stoic stance. “I did not anticipate how dire our situation was, I had hoped for more of our kind, for these exercises were intended for squadrons. It will only mean a slight altercation, unless you feel more aerial Decepticons could use some practice.”

He spoke with a more passive tone, less aggressive and more polite towards Starscream, a very rare occurrence but one not entirely truthful to how he felt at the time. Instead it made his situation more complicated, with such few numbers there was no chance of swinging favour with only one other Seeker that appeared to be loyal to the Air Commander.

He would continue as planned, to prove himself worthy and reliable to gain his own reputation among the Decepticons stationed here, not with schemes but with acts of glory and might. This would be one of many small victories to set him on the path for the greatness he knew he earned. Whilst he remained in thought, he finally noticed the larger bodyguard come into view, she carried herself with the same pride Dreadwing would usually, however this seemed more of an intimidation or a show of courage rather than holding herself with pride.

She referred to herself as Coldwind, a familiar name but not one Dreadwing could put a face too. Perhaps she was mentioned in comms chatter in a few missions, but in the chaotic war on Cybertron you barely had time to remember names or faces for they could easily disappear to a Autobot blaster in mere moments of meeting. The words she spoke only confirmed his suspicions of fanatic loyalty, it could be a mere respect of authority yet Dreadwing did not believe such a thing could be earned with Starscream. He bowed his head in respect to Coldwind “You do not have to worry about me as a threat Lieutenant, I honour orders when I deem them the right course of action. Starscream, if you wish only for us three to participate, then give me the word and we may begin.”

[Starscream]

Starscream could only give a solemn nod at Dreadwing’s words.

With so few Seekers remaining, it would make sense for the three of them to work closer together - to put aside their differences and unite. But he and Dreadwing were not on the best of terms, with the other Seeker frustratingly loyal to Megatron alone, and he did not see that changing due to a simple realization. A shame, really - the demolition expert would be an asset to many of Starscream’s plans.

Their situation was grim. Seekers had once been a force to be reckoned with, a harrowing sight on the battlefield - but now? Only few remained.

Even despite their lack of numbers, they made up for much with their flying skill alone. Starscream could only hope that there were still some of their brethren out there in the endless void of Space. Many had been separated, or on other planets during the exodus to Earth, and a part of him clung to the idea that one day, some of them would make their way here.

“Indeed. We have lost many of our kind, but do not let it deter you. As always, we need to strive to rise above hardships - with this being just one of many. Three adept Seekers can do more in this war than most.”

A gentle shake of his helm as he rocked some on his pedes.

“As for other aerial Decepticons, I have no doubt that they could use the extra training, especially with Megatron making new preparations for war. However, I can only assume the exercise you have prepared is more befitting of those who have some semblance of skill.

There will be other opportunities for them to test themselves, but for now we shall show them who rules the skies.”

A smirk followed these words. He and Dreadwing may have clashed, but he had no doubt that this training exercise would be rigorous and in depth - expecting nothing less from the former Captain who he was sure was more than eager to stretch his wings and show off his skills on this new planet.

The other aerials in the Decepticons? He was sure they wouldn’t be able to keep up, and he did not want to be slowed down. Should this go well today, he was sure Megatron would not be opposed to some… less than exclusive training, even if they had to make some minor adjustments to the exercise so the others could keep up.

He stood up a little taller as Coldwind spoke. Arms looping somewhat casually behind his back as his wings fluttered proudly against the gentle breeze. While he was sure Dreadwing knew his rank and would listen if an order was issued, it was always nice to know that Coldwind was around to enforce Starscream’s word.

Bobbing his helm at Dreadwing, he would unloop his arms, resting them at his sides.

“Yes, I believe for now the three of us shall suffice. I must say I am eager to see what you have planned for us, Dreadwing. After you.”

[Coldwind]

Coldwind did not interject any further. She had said what needed to be said and Starscream had the situation well in his hands. However, she did conspicuously raise a brow at Dreadwing's response to her brief introduction.

That he only followed orders "when he deemed them the correct course of action," spoke of a defiant streak not unlike her own—or Starscream's for that matter. Usually, one could admire such a trait...but in Dreadwing's case, when mixed with his brutal loyalty and code of honor, it would be a most dangerous concoction, especially for Starscream who delighted in treachery, and by association, Coldwind herself.

She made the mental note to keep a keen eye on Dreadwing and to inspect his files and records later, make sure there aren't any past sentiments or connections that could jeopardize their schemes. But for now, she vigilantly loomed behind Starscream, ready to participate in the joint combat practice at a moment's notice, indicating so only with a subtle nod in response to the Air Commander's final words.