Ep 0.5 - Staring into the endless space -Closed-

[Deleted]

Endless space, with countless amount of stars. Almost empty hallway, and lone figure, standing in front of huge window. Emotionless look of the optics stared deep into nothingness. On the edge of the window, was small object, flat, yet round object. Above holoprojector, floated a figure of slim femme decepticon, standing on fallen enemy, much larger than herself. Arma's optics moved slowly to the hologram, staring into the eyes of her former mentor. She had held this hologram ever since their time as gladiators. Before it had reminded her, to wait, until Firestorm, as she was known, would return. Now, it was her only remaining memory about her. As she had heard her mentor's death, just a while ago. Her hand made small movement, moving the ring around holoprojector, and the figure above it turned into the leader, of all decepticons, her present master. This one was from time before the war, from the time he was still known as Megatronus.
Arma observed the figure for an long time. Her... feelings, or remainments of those she still posessed, were crossing. Megatron had accepted the person she most hated, back to his ranks. Yet, she had always remained loyal for him, that was the only time, she had ever felt like he had... let her down. But as she had thought, she knew, that if he had made the decicion, it was her to be accepted. She had lost her teacher once, she wouldn't let same thing happen to her one, and only leader.
Her attention was caught, as couple of Eradicons stepped into the hallway. Her hand made little movement, as she shutted the projector, and closed it into her fist. Then her sight returned back into the space above nemesis.
She had no idea what those two were doing here, they were propably working on something. She herself had no real job on Nemesis. She was most of her time on earth, searching new energon deposits, but during on nemesis, she really had nothing else to do, but to wait, and prepare herself always for more.

[starscream]

The Nemesis flew in high orbit. It was a welcome change from being a few hundred feet off Earth’s surface to be being miles high. The openness held an excitement for the Seeker. To be able to fly and have no worry to come near the ground, it was relaxing and would help with the glum below on that blue, green ball of annoyance.

Starscream walked with purpose, always did, but on his way he saw Arma. She was busy but not doing something. She was thinking. And the thoughts did not look to be good. The presence of the warrior was a joy for Megatron. Starscream was mad about it. Arma was loyal to Megatron. There was no way to change her mind, no way to get her to change sides. Starscream could not understand it. But then others had Megaton’s loyalty too.

There was the slight hope Arma had changed her processor and was no longer so blind to follow Megatron. Starscream could hope and the only way to know would be to talk to her. See her thoughts. Of course just talking to her would be the start to see if she had changed. After all it was well known he wanted to take over command.

Walking over to the warrior Starscream was sure to stay in visible range so Arma would not attack. Or if she did Starscream could move, or fly, out of the way.

[Deleted]

From the corner of her optic, she saw slimmer, aerial commander, approaching her. Since time Megatron had been gone for an while, and Starscream had declared himself to be the new leader of the decepticons, Arma had been pretty cautious about him. As she had seen the explosion of the space brigde herself, she just had been too shocked to react immediatedly, as she had for an moment believed that Megatron was really gone. If she would've just known, that long time in state he wasn't able to move, nor even communicate, would've been caused by the aerial commander, she might've not been able to hold herself. Luckily for Screamer, she didn't know about that.
"What do you want, Starscream?" Her cold, emotionless voice asked, without even slightest tone of honouring. As she turned facing him, she moved her hand to her waist, small hatch opening, as she inserted the holoprojector back to it's place. The memorial she would always hold with her. Since Megatron's return, she had keeped on eye on Screamer. She knew he wanted to be the leading one, but he lacked a lot, to be the honoured, and feared one. Once she had just observed, as he had played the part of the leader, but there wouldn't be second time. She would just crush him, and then... She guessed Soundwave might've been the next one to keep Decepticons in line. She was able to make almost anyone on the ship to fear her, few exeptions of course, but she wasn't the leader type. But Megatron was everything but easy to bring down. Starscream wouldn't get the chance anymore.

Though, Arma really wondered, what he wanted from her. It was unusual for anyone on deck to approach her. Few exeptions were in this case too, but ususally, only ones she had any interaction, were Megatron himself, and Knock out, who usually patched her up after fight with botties. She had kept distance to the aerial commander, but now, she just waited what he had to say.

[starscream]

The way Arma talked and acted to the Seeker made it clear to Starscream he would get no help out of this one. Arma was still a blind follower to a leader with no processor and a quickly growing madness. It was a shame Arma would not follow a truly worthy leader, like Starscream himself.

At the question Starscream put both servos to his spark with his EMF close but well hidden annoyance and only showing his confidence and wild changes, “To see how you are doing. I know you have been away for a long time. Lord Megatron should have called for you before now.” Starscream stood tall as he could; still being far below the other his wings came out a small bit. It was natural as Starscream was so much smaller and in trouble should Arma fight. The wings made Starscream look bigger, or that was the goal.

Starscream made a show of looking around to be sure they were alone. “He seems to be having difficult time lately. No one knows what is wrong or going on.” Ok point in fact Starscream knew what was wrong, or at least part, but that was not something one would just tell. Still he would use this information he had gained and used it to the best he could.

[Deleted]

Worthy leader, was truly something Arma saw nowdays only in Megatron. During the age of war, there was many ones, who Arma, to some point, even honoured, as leaders. The ones who were not trying to make her retreat. Megatron, himself hadn't worried about that, she was alloved to fight as much as she just wanted. And she, at least thought, that he was pleased, as she just fought, filled her only reason to exist. That, even though was just in her head, was enough for her to follow him.
Her optics followed Starscream's movements, noticing very well his trys to look bigger than he truly was. His wings, yes made him look a bit bigger. She understood this, as he was well known of his needs to be the leader, and leader should always give out strong impression.
His words, affected her optics to narrow a bit. He never came to see, how she was doing. He had something behind his thoughts, like most of the time.
As aerial commander looked around, making sure they were alone, she just wondered what his thought really might be. Her field remained stable, if not minding small flickering, as Screamer started to speak about Megatron. About his hard time, and about that no one knowing what was wrong, or going on. Arma remained silent, her gaze wandering away from Screamer for an while. She knew, or at least, she was pretty certain, about what was wrong. But... she just knew she wasn't able to change the situation to anything, even if she wanted to.
"He's the leader of all of us. It's not always easy task, especially during these times." Arma's look returned back to the seeker, followed by her, pretty random like answer. She could've said something, closer to reality, but she didn't want to say anything harmful about Megatron. Especially not to Starscream.

[starscream]

The fact Arma looked off to some distance point with nothing to really see was of annoyance. It seemed the femme did not think he would be worth keeping an optic on. That was a stupid thought as Starscream was the air commander and SiC for a reason! Well he would just deal with that later. Let her see how good he really was when she least was expecting it.

The flickering EM field was a new and interesting development. Starscream was not so sure what Arma’s EMF flicking was to mean but it was just another piece of puzzle to this game. It also had Starscream far more interested in her than before because of the flicker.

At Arma’s answer Starscream could only think of what a random answer she gave. And random most times meant more information was there and the information was hidden and so very needed to be know by the Seeker. Starscream let his wings half shift down. “Arma. What do you mean? This is more. Lord Megatron has never been like this before. He is….I don’t know if it is the Dark Energon or something more but this ….madness had never been seen before from our Lord.”

[Deleted]

Arma wasn't worried about Starscream's possible attacks. Arma was physically overpowered only by few, including Megatron himself. Screamer could harm her only by lucky punch, or with good shot with his missiles. She wouldn't let her guard down, even if it looked like that. Arma's field flickering, was mark of few different things. About her feelings crossing, many thoughts goin through her processor, without her knowing certain about what to think. It was, though pretty rare, for her field to show any kind of changes. Due to her past, she had almost completely abandoned so called feelings. They were not necessary for an warrior like her, whose only reason for existing, was to serve her leader. Abandoned or not, they were still there, deep inside her armored core, not been seen too often.

As Screamer brought up the thing, about their leaders... madness, as he himself called that. It caused her to grit her sharp teeth a bit harder, still she made it to remain her field unchanged, she looked at seeker, as emotionless as ever. She had no ready answer, she had to drive in different chances. There was the chance, also, that she would play his game for an while, to try to find out about what he really was after. It would not be too easy for her. But it would be for the safety of his master.
"Yes, if you bring it out like that... he has acted bit... strange. But madness, i haven't seen him for an while. I've been busy during energon seeking. He hasn't contacted me, after returning. Unusual, as it doesn't interest him any more. Like it's all the same, do i find some, or not." Arma tried to remain calm. She hated when she had to say something like that about their leader, but she swalloved her hatried, and remained her emotionless state.

[starscream]

The wings of the Seeker went up and a sly smile was also on Starscream’s faceplate. Arma had talked ill of Megatron, her Lord! That was a good sign and a help to Starscream! Maybe there was a chance yet he could get Arma to Starscream’s side. Having a warrior like Arma would be a great help. She was a warrior and a wall. It would be good to have such a power house.

Still Starscream knew he needed to take it slow and easy. He did not need to mess this up. “Our Lord Megatron had not contacted you? I am sure he is interested but maybe it has slipped his processor. He does have a lot going on. Or maybe the Dark Energon is messing up his processor, causing him to forget things, as well as other side effects.”

[Deleted]

Arma hated every single moment of her speech, but if it was for Megatron's sake, she was read for it. Luckily she had gotten used to keep her cool. Otherwise she would've not been able to lie with her field completely steady. Grin on Screamers faceplate told her he believed her to start lose her faith in their leader. Starscream pretty surely didn't had too much respect, among all the crew, so this kind of lies felt like biting in him.
She truly was these two things Starscream thought she was. She was a warrior, through and through. But she fought only for one master's sake. And yes, she was a wall also, but she protected only one master.
As Starscream started speaking again, about dark energon, and all, Arma heard it just barely. As she really knew what was wrong with her lord, it... hurted her, to be unable to reassure his pain, nor ease his burden.
"Yes, you're propably on right tracks, suspecting dark energon. What else could it possibly be. It has power to revive dead ones, it would be just too weird, if it wouldn't affect on ones still funcional." Arma shook her shoulders a bit. Dark energon might've had affect on someone weaker, like troopers, or even on her herself. But Lord Megatron was, at least Arma had believed, strong enough to resist side effects of the dark energon.
"But what will you do about it, he is, after all, our supreme commander. And there's no-one on this ship able to overpower him, not easy at least." She shrugged again a bit.
Only ones with enough raw power to go head on Megatron, were propably Shockwave, possibly Warcry, who though was way too cowardly to do so. And herself, who had no reason to even try.

[starscream]

It was no fun when Arma agreed the Dark Energon was the trouble. No room to find facts there! “But then again Lord Megatron had then Dark Energon. Maybe something else troubles him? He had been acting different from when the first used it.” Starscream seemed to think things over.

On hearing Arma’s next words Starscream jerked his wings in and down, his optics going light red in worry. “Arma what do you mean? You find him to be unstable enough to take such a drastic action?” Never mind Starscream would take over in a mico-second if given the opportunity.

“That would be a hard move but with enough it on your side it could be done.” The sly smile was back the optics going back to a dark even red.

[Deleted]

Arma remained silent, as she listened what Sreamer had to say. The worry she saw in his optics, was at least very well played. He wouldn't be worried about Lord Megatron, as long as he was still in leading position. Arma was very sure, that if there would be even slightest chance for him to caugh Megatron off guard, he would do it without hesitation. But, she wouldn't let it happen, not during her stay on Nemesis. She had found enough energon during her searches, to last them for a month, least. She might just stay on Nemesis for an while, and keep on eye on Starscream, and make sure he would not get any stupid ideas about attacking their leader.

"About the Dark energon, it might've just taken some time to take some affect, lord Megatron is not the kind of who would let anything affect on him too easily." She commented the first things, about something else troubling their leader.
Next, she really had to think about her answer, as she didn't want to sound too excited about Megatron being overthrown. "No, i don't believe so. I'm just saying, if things go that bad, which i will not allow, then it's easier said than done." She just said. "As long as he'll just remains his senses, i will not stand up to him." She continued.
Before her question, her optics narrowed a bit, like she would've not completely trusted him. "I just wonder, since when have you worried about our Leader like this?" She tried to squeeze information from him. Her senses just stirred, like warning her. Whatever he would answer, she had to get audience form her Lord, to warn him, about her bad feeling about Starscream.
She just felt, that he might not take her seriously, due to his state. But she would make him take her seriously.

[starscream]

“Yes. And he would hide his” there was a pause as Starscream thought of a word other than weakness “change in systems as long as he could.” Starscream thought that over, a pleasant but not thought.

The wings went down only a little, few would see it. Starscream had hoped Arma would be ready to change sides. It seemed not. And the warning after was good to know of. Arma was questioning Starscream’s questions. “Only to know who to keep at distance in these troubling times. Lord Megatron is not at his old fighting self. But soon he will be. Those who would be trouble should be kept away.” Starscream’s optics and wings both at the right place and use for a true worry and only care of the best for Megatron.

Starscream hoped this would be enough to have the warrior off Starscream shoulder and let Arma keep her optics to herself.

[Deleted]

He might've fooled someone with those acts, and even Arma sensed not real lie in his speech. Luckily she just knew him better than that. He had not even slightest bit of trust, from her side, never had had, and never will have her trust. "Lord Megatron has rough time by now, but the time of his old selfs return, will come yet. And i'm going to be there, when it happens." She meant, she would be with Megatron, during rescue of the Barricade, or whatever it might be called, annihilation of the autobots... whatever. What meant most, was to get lord Megatron back to his real self.

"Just remember one thing." She pointed her finger on him. "If you ever try to raise against our lord, i will personally, no matter of your position, tear you apart." After her emotionless comment, she clenched her hand roughly into fist, before letting it drop down. She remained quiet for an while, watching Screamer's reaction, keeping her optics tightly in his own.

"You still had something to discuss, or are we done." She asked, still staring him. She would pretty surely search lord Megatron in his hands, as soon as she would get rid of Screamer. Though, he propably would keep on eye on her, to make sure she wouldn't go straight to her master, who was at the moment, pretty much avoided by many, if just possible. She though, wasn't concerned.

[starscream]

Starscream let his faceplates show a neutral or pleased thought at Arma’s vow to be there when Megatron was back at health. The femme really was a processor-less one. Following Megatron so blindly. Still even if it seemed the warrior was smart enough to see the truth no reason to show it.

As Arma’s being to tell what would happen Starscream’s wings went forward and his optics glowed. His engine also growled. “I am second in command for a reason. Don’t think the take me out so easy. And don’t make up my actions.” Starscream gave a short cycle of his vents and went back to normal. As if nothing had happen.

Starscream waved a servo. “No I was only asking how you were doing, no reason for you to fly off and make things up.”

[Deleted]

Arma's head tilted a bit, as Screamer started to show some signs of losing his temper. She wasn't actually making up his actions, it was just what she would do to anyone who would try to step against her master. She had torn apart many ones, back on cybertron times, who had had the idea of overthrowing Megatron, and trying to take over his place as leader. And the comment about being a second one in command, and not being taken out so easily, Arma didn't actually know what had moved inside Megatron's head, when picking Screamer in such a high position. Though, he had the right to make mistakes, and Starscream was the biggest one of all

"Oh, i'm not making up your actions. I'm just telling you, what i would do to every single one, who tries that, not just you." She could've just asked about, how many hits he thought he could endure, if being striked, or shot by someone her caliber, heavy hitter, front line warrior, but remained silent. He would see it... if he would dare to try taking over Lord Megatron.

"I'm just fine... if that really was what you wanted to know." She answered to his final sentence, her field remaining completely stable, not showing any kind of emotional reaction. "Now, excuse me, i must prepare for new search of energon resourses." She took step onwards, prepared to bypass Starscream, if he had nothing else to say. She should, of course, bring this... "threat" in Megatron's knowledge, before doing anything else. Starscream was allowed to believe what he wanted, about her, but she wasn't so stupid, that she wouldn't notice, about him clearly again planning somethin inside his very power-hungry head.