[Video: Unlocked]
[The screen shows a matte black jet, with (he thinks) rather dashing purple highlights, sitting behind a desk, scarcely able to restrain a chortle. He clears his vocalizer, looks down. The grin fades.]
( In which Skywarp turns the tables, flips the script, and...goes a little power mad. )
[Way too much like his own Skywarp. Way too much.]
It seems that your skills are finally being put to use as you will be able to talk as much as you want.
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All the great [eyeroll] models of leadership I know bloviate. My turn.
['I learned it from watching you!*sob*']
And, oh, by the way, do you happen to do any sort of business with...The Publick?
[Pets clipboard]
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[Great just what he needed, to be questioned by Skywarp of all mechs.]
Fortunately for me and unfortunately for you -- not anymore.
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[Skywarp fully intends to practice that 'power corrupts' bit himself. He learned that by watching Starscream. Being decent and honorable and stuff has gotten him...nowhere.]
Awww, you get shut down? Or did no one want to buy that stale ego you were selling.
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[Glare.]
No, I did not get shut down. I am not a failure like some mechs.
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I...don't know whom you're talking about. I'm sure.
[Glare x 2 + corndogs]
So then, what? Unfortunate bankruptcy? Poor business model? Because that would be JUST like a Starscream, wouldn't it. Oh, here's a crackpot plan, all systems greenlight GO.
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[Why Starscream continues to bother? He has no idea.]
...
No.
You don't even know how to have a moment of seriousness do you?
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[huffity huff huff]
But being underestimated by mechs who can't see around their own egos happens a lot to me. And almost always by mechs named Starscream.
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...
[Starscream continues his glare.]
I do not believe you are stupid. Highly irritating, perhaps.
...
Ignorant, maybe.
But hardly stupid.
[His glare lessens a bit to that of a smirk.]
But you also seem to believe you are the only one to be underestimated by others.
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[Oh, lookie. A button. I must mash it. (And yet...he wonders why he has no friends, right?]
Oh, I'm sorry; but this is one contest that you're going to have to admit to coming in pitiful second in, Screechy. When it comes to being thrown aside, and/or under the bus?
Yeah. You don't even rate.
[I win at losing! Suck it, bi---oh, wait.]
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Nihil nequius est te.
[Figure that one out, Skywarp.]
...
My, are you feeling sorry for yourself? Not very becoming for a Decepticon.
...
However, I will say this: there is much you do not know about me.
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Now, you see? Much better. Hrm. That sounds pretty sleek.
[Thinks about petitioning...THEM to have that made into the motto of his office. Sweet. Classy sounding.]
Well, we all can't be as awesome as you, Starscream, so, you just have to expect so many crushed souls under your almighty thrusters.
[Wow, he actually said that without laughing. He's impressed with himself.]
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[Starscream resisted the urge to just slap his palm against his face.]
... With that attitude, how you ever expect to rise to a rank of power?
[Starscream was actually not considering how much shooting this one in the face would make him feel better. For once anyway.]
Or ... is it that out of everyone it is you who sells yourself short.
[Damnit. Why was he trying ... to be nice ... or helpful ... or at least not hateful. Must be the familiarity. Or insanity. One of the two.]
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[Respect, knowledge, the fraggin' recognition you fraggin' exist by your *($%*^in' Command structure...you know.]
I don't even sell myself.
[Mostly because there are never any buyers. Makes him feel like the ugly puppy in a pet store window, honestly.]
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[Power is something Starscream knows all too well about. He also likes to talk about it quite a bit.]
And I do understand as much as you seem to hate to admit.
[Frag. He didn't want to get into this... but...]
I ... Hmpth. I mean, I used to know a mech back before the war. He was a scientist, much like you claim to be.
Everyone underestimated him. His peers, his partner. Everyone. Even the science academy found fault in his achievements.
He knew more than any of them realized ... yet they left him at the crossroads alone.
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Me? Don't really want to spend that much energy watching my back.
['Claim to be a scientist' my thrust-vectoring. Have half a mind to warp over there and....]
That's a sad story, there, Starscream. The only thing that surprises me is that you think it's so rare.
You know...smart as you claim to be.
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