Starscream, Transformers

[dc_starscream]

((Physical appearance and alternate modes (Cybertronian jet, Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet) are taken from the 2007 movie and tie-in comics/novel, and I'm basing his personality on the same. Abilities and history will be pulled from several sources or invented as necessary, since the many different continuities of Transformers don't mesh

Comments

[i_am_an_hero]

Smaug had been more intimidating, although a 30-foot-tall robot was menacing enough. A watched with interest, trying to extrapolate some of the robot's workings from his movements.

"Various functions?" he asked. "That doesn't say much. It could mean being a paperweight."

Not that that was likely.

[dc_starscream]

As Starscream focused on A his sensors provided an endless stream of data about him, most of which was disregarded. Unless the human lacked functional eyesight-all information indicated he didn't-the paperweight quip was the kind of leap of 'logic' Starscream supposed only humans were capable of.

"I was a scientist," he clarified, an even more pronounced growl creeping into his voice. "Then a soldier. I became one of the leaders of my race."

Those were the most pertinent facts, as far as he was concerned.

[i_am_an_hero]

Scientist... A shivered a little at that. Scienists did experiments. Still, it was an answer beyond 'various functions'.

"Thank you," he said softly. "That is, that's more informative. "What kind, what sort of scientist?"

[dc_starscream]

Quickly realizing he might be doing himself more harm than good by snapping at and bullying the humans here, Starscream shifted tactics slightly. When he spoke, his tone had softened somewhat, though he couldn't help the natural growl in his voice any more than a human could adjust their vocal cords.

"I explored other planets, and studied other life forms." He continued to watch A as he thoughtfully added, "I was able to conduct my research without bringing harm to them, so advanced are my capabilities. It was a time of peace in the galaxy I come from, before the terrible war."

All of which was the truth. If the conversation went the way he expected it to, his calculated lies would come into play later.

[waste_lock]

Nny stared in utter awe, admiring all that sleek metal. How wonderful it would be, to be untouchable, impenetrable, immovable, smooth and cold and pure.

Name his request? Sure!

"Can you make me into a robot?"

[dc_starscream]

Even with the power of the Allspark Starscream doubted such a change could take place. Organic tissue was the main problem, and the Allspark was more likely to poison it over time rather than convert it into what Cybertronians are made of despite what fanfic would have you believe.

"That is impossible." He paused as he regarded Nny with more consideration than he'd normally spare for a human. This one at least seemed sensible. Who could possibly want to be trapped in such a fragile, weak body? "State another request."

Vote: Squib

[waste_lock]

Nny went from optimistic to furious in the space of those six words.

"You won't help me!!" he shrieked, producing a long knife from his sleeve. Just what good he thought it would do against a robot was uncertain. "One thing, ONE THING I want and you won't give it to me! You smug bastard!!! You've achieved peace and you don't want to share it! You can rot! You can just ROT!!!!!!"

Re: Vote: Squib

[dc_starscream]

Sensible, if clearly unhinged. Starscream took the outburst in stride, responding as though nothing had happened.

"An unfortunate decision." Or so he assumed, since he couldn't be sure what a 'squib' was. "I did not deny you help, merely stated my own limitations."

And peace? He debated whether it would benefit him at all to ask the fleshling to elaborate. Probably not, though the reaction might be amusing.

[ostianespionage]

"Looks to me," Matthew said, "like you realized the application doesn't mean a whole lot a lot quicker than most applicants. The Gryffindor question's hypothetical, I think, but any answer other than the one you gave tends to upset the people involved." The fact that this served the "butter up the giant transforming robot" purpose as well as stating facts was a helpful side effect.

[dc_starscream]

It was a common human misconception that mechanoids weren't capable of emotions or vices, or even cultivating distinct personalities. For a prime example of egotism and vanity, one need look no further than Starscream.

"Superior logic processors," he said dismissively. In truth, the significance of the application, or lack thereof, was news to him. "Asking hypothetical questions can only serve so many purposes. I take it this-application, is designed to tell you something meaningful about me."

[ostianespionage]

It didn't cross Matthew's mind that a robot wouldn't be capable of emotion, simply because Matthew didn't know enough robots to draw any conclusions.

"Designed to, maybe, but I don't know whether it does to anyone but the lunatic who wrote it." Of course, that did bring up the question of how Starscream would wear the Hat. "Considering I'm in Slytherin and none of us do a lot of bartending..."

[dc_starscream]

"What is Slytherin?" He recognized the designation from the application, but it wasn't clear what purpose it served. Presumably a title.

[serrulata]

By now, Kurama was used to a certain level of strange (at least, beyond the 'strangeness' he had dealt with before coming to Hogwarts) and even then he was able to handle most of the weird with a good suspension of disbelief, but... giant robots? Really?

"When it comes to questions of uselessness," he said, after a long moment, "Your worth here is often judged by how much trouble you cause and how much amusement you bring to our strange benefactors." Or jailers, as they case could very well be.

[dc_starscream]

Said giant robot had thus far dismissed the vast quantities of information his sensors were continually providing him about the humans around him, but something in this latest human's read-out gave him pause. Namely because, according to the information, he wasn't human. Not quite an animal, either, but something... else.

"So they measure worth by how inconvenienced they are," Starscream said, not quite a question. It made about as much sense as the application did. "And who are these-benefactors?"

[serrulata]

The bot's question gave Kurama a momentary pause. He could launch into all the details surrounding the varied rulers of the school, but decided that the shortest description would be more apt.

"A hat," he said, with a level of incredulity towards the fact that he was actually saying this bullshit without a hint of untruth, "A toy, a giant squid, and a pervert."

[dc_starscream]

He didn't immediately respond, and the silence stretched on until it could rightly be called awkward. Had his crash damaged more than he was aware of, or was the sort-of-human trying to be a nuisance by speaking gibberish?

"There is proof of this?"

[biblerewrite]

"Fascinating," River said, looking up at Starscream with obvious curiosity. "Even the alliance didn't have nearly the technology it would take to manufacture your smallest part. And yet, no human hands built you." Living technology? An act of God? Either way, cool as hell. "I wouldn't even try to be so insulting as to suggest that."

[dc_starscream]

He was plainly far advanced beyond any technology humans were capable of, but hearing a human state that fact was a pretty effective means of stroking his ego, even if it hadn't been intended as such.

He gave River a considering look. Clearly this one possessed greater intellect than her fellows. She'd recognized his superiority, after all. "The alliance?" he queried, in a tone that was almost civil, for him.

[biblerewrite]

"An interstellar political body that established a hegemony over the civilized worlds and defeated the Independent Faction. Mostly comprised of the former governments of the United States and China. They merged after Earth-That-Was - that is to say, Earth-That-Is-Now, at least for the time being - was declared unusable and interstellar colonization had been established." She made a face. "A rather unpleasant lot, to say the least."

[dc_starscream]

He was able to follow the explanation, even if almost none of it made sense, and drew the logical conclusion.

"You are from a different point in human evolution." There was a brief pause in which he began querying his data banks, muffled electronic tones and clicks accompanying the action. Then he shifted into a crouch, the better to look at River. "How did you get here?"