[Actionspam/Video - Demonstration in the Lightning Tag arena]

[notatraitoryet]

Normally, the massive Lightning Tag stadium at one end of Calibiri Park in Zone 1 is something of a fortress. It's hard to get into without a ticket or special permission, especially when there's not a match in progress. Today, though, the gates stand open, and there are mechs on stands outside them, calling for one and all to come on in and see

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[thunder_cracked]

[Having abandoned the spectacle of the tree in disgust, Thundercracker found himself drawn to the announcement of some kind of aerial display. It turned out to be a sport, one that was supposedly very popular in the Nexus. His interest was piqued right up until 'THE ILLUSTRIOUS STARSCREAM, FOUNDER OF OUR GREAT SPORT' was introduced.

And there he was. The Starscream from his universe strutting out amongst the other two players, looking as smug and pleased with himself as ever. The pure showmanship made Thundercracker want to purge. What a mockery this was after seeing Starscream lead armiesStill, the blue seeker stayed and watched, paying close attention. He was unable to find fault in the sport itself or the impressive rigs and stellar players. There wasn't anything wrong with what Starscream had created... it was just the simple fact that this Starscream was nothing more than a rich bureaucrat that made Thundercracker's energon continue to boil. And if he was being honest, it was also how slagging satisfied he was with it

[notatraitoryet]

...Yeah.

[His response is quiet; he knows that Thundercracker doesn't really...approve of his success, or at least doesn't seem to, and doesn't particularly want to antagonize him by making a big deal out of it.]

Come in. We can talk inside.

[thunder_cracked]

It's...very big.

[He just nods, stepping in after Starscream, not really sure what to expect.]

[notatraitoryet]

[He laughs humorlessly.] For how much I pay for it, it better be.

[The balcony door opens on a spacious sitting room, all gleaming curves and designs in concentric circles. There's a massive vidscreen curving along one wall, a bar with a high-tech energon dispensary in an alcove, and dark portal in the wall leading to other parts of the apartment.

Starscream heads for the alcove.]

You want a cube, Thundercracker?

[thunder_cracked]

[TC stares at his pedes, feeling very out of place in the opulent apartment. He was more suited to something like an abandoned warehouse or a dingy underground base...

Was that an energon tap? Oh, that's right... there isn't a shortage here. And even if there was... Starscream would probably still have something like that.]

Yeah, I think I need one.

[notatraitoryet]

[The tap's an impressive thing--it's not just an outlet for an energon reservoir elsewhere in the apartment. It comes with options to customize, the ability to mix the different vintages and concentrations on tap, or add flavorants, or change the temperature... It's one of the most expensive things in the apartment, and Starscream rarely misses a chance to show it off.

He refrains right now, though, instead just drawing energon into two cubes and returning to Thundercracker. He hands one to the other jet, then seats himself on one of the curving chrome couches.

When he speaks, picking up the thread of the conversation again, his voice is quiet.]

So you want to know why I do all this.

[thunder_cracked]

[Thundercracker accepts the cube and sits down next to Starscream, though not too close. In normal circumstances he might have leaned an arm on his brother's shoulder... but here his stance with stiff and unrelaxed, wings hiked a little high on his back.]

Yes. What about it contents you to limit yourself?

[notatraitoryet]

[Starscream notices the distance, and the tension in Thundercracker's posture, but he doesn't remark on it. He just...stares down into his cube for a moment, frowning.]

I don't particularly see myself as being limited, Thundercracker.

[thunder_cracked]

"How do you see yourself, then?"

[He asks quietly, watching Starscream for a reaction.]

[notatraitoryet]

[He shrugs, then takes a measured sip from his cube before he answers.]

Successful. And because of that, powerful.

[thunder_cracked]

That sounds a little bit more like the Starscream I know. But it's still not a satisfactory answer.

[TC huffs, eyeing his own. He was notorious for being poor at holding his energon...]

[notatraitoryet]

What do you want me to say? That I'm secretly plotting to overthrow the Transtechs? That I've a rebellion waiting in the wings to crack this city open?

[He laughs, a pretty humorless sound.] I'm not stupid.

[thunder_cracked]

[TC is silent for a few moments]

That at least would be worthy of your talents.

It also sounds like Megatron when we first met him.

[notatraitoryet]

My talents leading armies? [His voice is dry.]

If I'm going to inspire the mechs that follow me to action, I'd much prefer it to be something more productive than battle.

... [He scowls.] I don't want to hear about Megatron.

[thunder_cracked]

Yes. [Deadpan]

You would call overthrowing a corrupt and dangerous establishment unproductive?

[Mutters into his drink] I know.

[notatraitoryet]

Hn. [That was a good point, and Starscream knew it--but it was also just the beginning.] And how long was that even his goal, hm?

[He takes another long draught of his own cube, then just...sighs.]