(Untitled)

[due_caution]

Red Alert had briefly considered tagging along with Kitten Prime and Company, if only to make sure Rodimus stayed safe and out of trouble, but thought better of it after contemplation. Right now, at a glance, who would even know that the small orange Terran cat is the Autobot Prime, unless someone draws undue attention to him

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[midnightspook]

Blackstar quietly absorbs the impressions and images Starscream is projecting, tucking them away so that he can recognize the kid's designer if he happens across him before offering the other Seeker a nod of thanks.

It's been a long time since Blackstar has had a radio to contend with, but he recognizes the faint look of distraction in Starscream's features, and guesses that it's not himself responsible for it. He pauses for a moment to give Starscream a chance to finish whatever it is he's doing besides the quick chatter to him. It's long enough for Frostbite to speak to him.

Blackstar blinks.

Can she see us? Or is she just... spooky? he asks, a little unnerved. He's never met anyone yet who can see him when he's trying not to be seen; not even Auspex can see him when he's hovering in the spirit world, rather than fully in the physical.

Duskwing promised to tell Spike that his kid was okay. Only he says that the guy he told wasn't the real Spike, he was some kinda copy. He's busy watching the kid right now, though, so he can't go make it right. I'm helping him find the kid's real designer, so Duskwing doesn't have to stop keeping an eye on the kid.

[attair_al_fada]

Starscream finds himself trying to track three conversations at once. I'm going to smoke a CPU at this rate! That'll be a good one to explain...

I don't think so--but she's very sensitive. Ah--that's rather what we're working on now. You'll want to listen in on this, if we can keep Frostbite and Red from freezing their circuits at your presence. As I said, we're still at the 'throw ideas at the wall and see what sticks' stage.

Starscream very quickly fills Blackstar in on just what's been going on with Victor Drath, Ambassador Witwicky, the kidnapped-and-recovered Transformers, and what you do with a synthezoid duplicate. It's risky, using his thread of a connection to the Allspark like this--part of him wants more of it, wants to rejoin it--but time is pressing and Blackstar needs to know this.

Letting go of it is like a man dying of thirst turning away from a pool of purest spring water. He can't quite keep the pain of it off his face; it's just a momentary wince, but it's there.

Starscream gathers himself for a moment. // Skyfire, the creature doesn't sound objectionable to me, and might actually be useful--but check with Echoshift before you turn it back loose. If he doesn't want it in the base, bring it to Autobot City. Both Autobots and humans are insufferable fond of affectionate furry things. //

[due_caution]

Red watches Starscream thoughtfully, slowly slotting more and more pieces into this puzzle. So, "Air Commander" may be more than just a familiar label of respect. Only Starscream's troops are a little... less than ordinary these days. That's certainly going to present a challenge to maintaining any sort of physical security now, as Duskwing quite adequately proved that physical barriers are no impediment.

Red remains expressionless as Starscream, more distracted than Red assumes a simple report should warrant, winces. Just a flicker of pain, but deep, that. Deeper, even, than Red Alert had assumed him capable of, he realizes with a faint tinge of guilt.

Seeing as Starscream is engaged, Red opens a secure channel to Frostbite. // Frostbite, get our... "operatives" moving. This needs buttoned up, and quickly. Not only did Drath hit the ground running on us, we haven't even landed yet. I would like to see that remedied. Immediately. //

"Unless Duskwing's friend has any need of me, or anything important to add, I think I have enough information for now to go have that discussion with Carly, and brief Rodimus. I would appreciate being kept in the loop of any further developments from your quarters?" Red observes, spearing both Starscream and Frostbite with a serious look.

[midnightspook]

Blackstar is a little surprised when Starscream brings him up to date, rapid-fire. Though he still has too many ties keeping him here and away from the Allspark, its siren's song calls to him now and then, making his spark ache. He tries to avoid anything that reminds him of it, to avoid awakening that deep hunger/want/need, and senses that Starscream does likewise.

He doesn't insult his commander by offering anything like sympathy for the sharp stab of... pain doesn't quite cover it... There is no word for the sensation of loss and disconnection and denial of peace. It has no name, but he knows it as well as Starscream, and simply nods in acknowledgement of the sacrifice his commander has made for the information Blackstar needs.

And now that he knows what Starscream knows, the sick feeling of dread rises in him again. That Machine... What Drath had done, has done, can do again... it's wrong in a way that Blackstar cannot put words to.

He and Duskwing are different sorts of spirits, different even from Starscream, and they all affect the world differently when they choose. Although the lights do not dim as they do when Duskwing is wrought, a strange chill permeates the air. Thermal sensors can not detect this chill, thermometers do not drop or shatter, and the temperature itself remains unchanged.

This is a chill of spirit. Of anger and fear and revulsion mixed into a frigid cocktail of resolution.

I'm in.

Not just to help Duskwing, now. No.

Where we find Spike, we find Drath. Him, I'll carry into the Pit myself.

[attair_al_fada]

Starscream looks at Red Alert. "I'll let you know if I find anything out, or start any wars."

Should I introduce you, Blackstar? Or do you prefer to remain behind the scenes?

He glances at Frostbite, awaiting the inevitable speculative looks, and possible questions.

[midnightspook]

Blackstar ponders that for a long moment.

I'd prefer to remain behind the scenes... Primarily because he hasn't settled things with Strata yet, hasn't even given her a hint that there were things to be settled between them. He's procrastinating, and he knows it.

I'm just not sure how well that would work. They know things I'm going to need to know, and I may need to tell them things. You're a little too busy to have to play messenger for me, boss.

He sighs and shakes his head. Better introduce me. I'll sort it out later. What happens... happens.

[attair_al_fada]

Starscream glances at Red Alert again. "No, he doesn't have any information... yet. Duskwing is keeping an eye on Daniel, but do remember that Duskwing is not the cleverest of warriors. He can be distracted and deceived, so don't let your guards get sloppy. He is, however, tenacious, so don't give up if things go badly."

He says the words with an air of finality; Starscream has said all he needs to Red Alert right now.

Not so with Frostbite.

Blackstar, wait until Red Alert leaves. I mean to introduce you to Frostbite alone. The fewer who know your name around here, the fewer chances it gets spilled in the wrong audials. Frostbite is an intell type; she doesn't spill things casually.

[due_caution]

Red Alert nods sharply.

"There has been too much sloppiness already," he replies evenly. "I mean to see an end to that. Duskwing's help will be... appreciated, however."

With a sigh of one girding himself for battle, Red Alert rises. Rodimus first. He can brief his commander before Carly gets a chance to murder him messily.

"I'll check back in after speaking with Carly," he remarks to Frostbite as he heads out the door.

[midnightspook]

Once Red Alert has left and Frostbite has resumed her seat, a black and grey form fades into view, obviously a Seeker, but sporting a Cybertronian alt, rather than an Earth upgrade. Blackstar stands to one side and slightly behind Starscream in a flanking position, his arms crossed over his chest, and a wary, calculating look on his features.

"This Drath guy has a long overdue appointment with someplace very warm and very unpleasant," Blackstar observes evenly. "I mean to help make sure he keeps it."

[attair_al_fada]

Starscream leans back and smirks.

"Frostbite, meet Blackstar. He's been... out of circulation for a while, and hasn't been real happy about some of the changes that happened while he was away. He's helping me with our little necromancy problem, among other things."

Starscream shifts slightly, and locks optics with Frostbite. "There are those among the living who know his name, so we'd all be much happier if it weren't mentioned to anyone else."

[attair_al_fada]

Starscream glances at both of them, then fixes on Frostbite.

"Any suggestions on where to start? I or Ratchet can give you a list of the more unusual materials needed to make the Machine... beyond that," Starscream shrugs, "I fear you have a far better grasp on current human affairs and better contacts than I ever did. My Cobra contacts are rather obsolete, unless Mr. Snake is in the habit of reviving old lairs when unfriendly attention has long since passed elsewhere. Although I had some indirect contacts through Cobra that might be of interest. I doubt they are directly useful."

"So, any clue where to start looking?"

[attair_al_fada]

Starscream considers this for a moment.

"You've got trusted Bots you're going to use for part of this? Much as I hate to admit it, some of your Autobots are less conspicuous for this sort of sneaking about than a brightly colored fighter jet. Although--" Starscream gives her a mischievous smile, "I can distract official attention very well. Nobody will think I'm up to anything benign and innocent, no matter what I'm actually doing."

"So..." he leans back again. "your guys check out the nice, well-behaved places like Tulum and Moscow, I toss a few cluster bombs on Castle Destro in passing, and cause trouble in Chechnya to see what shakes loose. Blackstar can check inconspicuously and close-up to see what crawls out from under the rocks in Scotland and Chechnya."

"Is it a plan?"