(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

Comments

[midnightspook]

Unbeknownst to Blackstar, the two mechs he is looking for are actually with Starscream when the ghost appears - to Starscream only - next to his Air Commander.

Starscream I- oh. Hey. That's convenient. These are the two I was looking for. Skyfire didn't need me anymore, so I'm helping Duskwing out. Any updates on the kid's designer? Spike Witwicky?

[attair_al_fada]

Starscream was part-way through answering Red Alert's question when Blackstar dropped in.

"I left that particular bit of Dark Science out of the Machine," he says drily. "Corrupting a spark involves things even I hesitate to tamper with, not being utterly stupid. Mindbender didn't understand Cybertronian minds and sparks well enough to make the conversion in the first place, so I doubt he could have applied any such changes. Now, the cerebral circuitry in the mech body is still as programmable as it ever was, and--" Starscream pauses for just a moment.

No, Blackstar, we're still at the 'throw stupid ideas out and see what doesn't die' phase. How did you get involved? Have you run across either Spike?

"--the organic brain circuitry can also be 'programmed', but not the spark that is transferred from one to the other and possibly back."

[midnightspook]

No. Not yet, he replies, shaking his head. I don't even honestly know what he looks like yet. Promises to keep, though, boss, and Duskwing needed a hand.

He shrugs, knowing that Starscream will understand at least part of that.

And it's not like I had anything better to- he is interrupted when Frostbite takes rather obvious notice of his presence.

Slag! I forgot about her! Sorry boss. What do you want me to do with this?

[attair_al_fada]

Starscream looks back at Frostbite, face expressionless. "A friend of Duskwing's. And when he gets a chance to finish his report, I might even know why he's here."

What does Duskwing need help with that you need to know about Spike? A flash of images--a tiny, insolent brat of a human child, the same individual older and more confident, firing at Starscream with a laser rifle from cover; a grown man,russet-haired, enclosed in a exosuit and standing beside Jazz. The ghost of ancient hatred at being thwarted by this insignicant fleshling; a grudging respect for the fierce warrior spirit housed in that fragile form; slow appreciation of a vicious, if alien, wit; growing awareness of the sheer dangerousness of the entire human race.

Then Skyfire sends his message and Starscream gets even more distracted.

[due_caution]

Red is quietly absorbing Starscream's explanation, faintly surprised at the Seeker's confession. He doesn't let it show, however, as he files and processes the new information.

Suddenly, the strange discomfort that he is learning to associate with Duskwing and Starscream doubles in intensity, catching his attention again, just about the sametime Frostbite's attention seems caught by the empty air beside Starscream.

“Who’s your friend, Starscream?”

Red stifles a sigh of dismay as Starscream answers. How many ghosts is he destined to be tormented with today?

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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.