[ti]Ep 3.5[/ti]Agenda [Starscream, Soundwave]
Sept 5, 2022 15:03:39 GMT -5
Post by Megatron on Sept 5, 2022 15:03:39 GMT -5
Episode 3.5 | Week 1 | Day 2 | Closed
It has been but a few days since his return, yet the Decepticon Warlord already advanced with his latest designs. He made a grand promise to his people on the night of his arrival and he was more than willing to see it fulfilled. Some small steps were already taken to meet that end. Just the other day, he had dispatched two Decepticons on a most secretive mission, of which neither Starscream nor anyone else under his command would be privy. Earlier still he had judged Flatline worthy of onboarding Knock Out's responsibilities in the interim. And yet...those were but mere housecleaning chores compared to what he had yet to achieve.
Despite Starscream's efforts to maintain order, Megatron returned to a less-than-satisfactory reception. From the smallest protests to the greatest oversights, much remained to correct. Their warship still laid at the bottom of the ocean, even if the culprit has been fittingly punished. And worst of all, updates on the construction of his magnum opus were terrifyingly difficult to elicit out of his subordinates. In short, they were plagued by no small amount of hurdles that stalled their progress.
But that would end today.
Three bots would enter Megatron's quarters early into the morning: The Warlord himself, Soundwave, and Starscream. Each would take a position at the command table in the dead center of the room, and a heavy-duty door would lock behind them, letting no one in or out. Two Vehicons stood guard outside, another patrolled the hallway—their steely gaze urging any passerby to move along.
Standing at the far end of the table, Megatron pressed his claws into the edge of the long transparent surface. Illuminated by a faint purple glow, his expression could not be easily read, and yet it conveyed perfectly the exasperation he felt. With that selfsame energy, he turned his head towards Starscream first, wherever and however he may have chosen to place himself, then to Soundwave.
Finally, the old Warlord spoke in a deep and urgent tone.
"I will not waste time with pleasantries. Such luxuries are beyond us, I am afraid."
Megatron's chest rose as he lifted his hands off the table, thus putting him at his full height. A deliberate motion to be sure.
"Instead, I will ask both of you a series of questions about our present situation and if I find even one dissatisfactory answer, you will personally see to correcting it with utmost haste—There will be no deflection or delegation of duties to another."
He gestured specifically to his second-in-command when articulating the last statement and gave him a knowing look. Megatron was far too familiar with Starscream's penchant for finding fault among his peers instead of within. Today, no such behavior would absolve him of duty.
"First, we shall speak of your prisoner. I understand that you have both had a hand in her capture and internment, yet she has provided neither of you with any discernable benefit as of this moment."
The words hung heavy for a few moments before at last, he concluded with the question: "Why?"
Looping his arms behind his back, Megatron glanced between his two most accomplished Decepticons—even if not the most trusted in Starscream's case—and searched for an answer with his lingering gaze. Although the question was phrased in so accusatory a manner, given enough insight, one would understand intuitively that the Warlord was not looking for an excuse as to why Patch has not been utilized, but rather a solution to the fact she hasn't.
It has been but a few days since his return, yet the Decepticon Warlord already advanced with his latest designs. He made a grand promise to his people on the night of his arrival and he was more than willing to see it fulfilled. Some small steps were already taken to meet that end. Just the other day, he had dispatched two Decepticons on a most secretive mission, of which neither Starscream nor anyone else under his command would be privy. Earlier still he had judged Flatline worthy of onboarding Knock Out's responsibilities in the interim. And yet...those were but mere housecleaning chores compared to what he had yet to achieve.
Despite Starscream's efforts to maintain order, Megatron returned to a less-than-satisfactory reception. From the smallest protests to the greatest oversights, much remained to correct. Their warship still laid at the bottom of the ocean, even if the culprit has been fittingly punished. And worst of all, updates on the construction of his magnum opus were terrifyingly difficult to elicit out of his subordinates. In short, they were plagued by no small amount of hurdles that stalled their progress.
But that would end today.
Three bots would enter Megatron's quarters early into the morning: The Warlord himself, Soundwave, and Starscream. Each would take a position at the command table in the dead center of the room, and a heavy-duty door would lock behind them, letting no one in or out. Two Vehicons stood guard outside, another patrolled the hallway—their steely gaze urging any passerby to move along.
Standing at the far end of the table, Megatron pressed his claws into the edge of the long transparent surface. Illuminated by a faint purple glow, his expression could not be easily read, and yet it conveyed perfectly the exasperation he felt. With that selfsame energy, he turned his head towards Starscream first, wherever and however he may have chosen to place himself, then to Soundwave.
Finally, the old Warlord spoke in a deep and urgent tone.
"I will not waste time with pleasantries. Such luxuries are beyond us, I am afraid."
Megatron's chest rose as he lifted his hands off the table, thus putting him at his full height. A deliberate motion to be sure.
"Instead, I will ask both of you a series of questions about our present situation and if I find even one dissatisfactory answer, you will personally see to correcting it with utmost haste—There will be no deflection or delegation of duties to another."
He gestured specifically to his second-in-command when articulating the last statement and gave him a knowing look. Megatron was far too familiar with Starscream's penchant for finding fault among his peers instead of within. Today, no such behavior would absolve him of duty.
"First, we shall speak of your prisoner. I understand that you have both had a hand in her capture and internment, yet she has provided neither of you with any discernable benefit as of this moment."
The words hung heavy for a few moments before at last, he concluded with the question: "Why?"
Looping his arms behind his back, Megatron glanced between his two most accomplished Decepticons—even if not the most trusted in Starscream's case—and searched for an answer with his lingering gaze. Although the question was phrased in so accusatory a manner, given enough insight, one would understand intuitively that the Warlord was not looking for an excuse as to why Patch has not been utilized, but rather a solution to the fact she hasn't.