Dark Skyfire to Movie Starscream

[Dark Skyfire]

concurrent with radio thread Dark Skyfire/Bonecrusher re: ...And Call Him George

Skyfire knows when he's in over his head, and like a good soldier, he also knows--sort of--his chain of command. To be honest, it's a little confusing, but he remembers Starscream--how could he not at least remember that name.

//Sir? I believe one of our mechs is having some sort of...mental breakdown. What is the command protocol?//

[Starscream (Movie)]

//Who is it?//

[Dark Skyfire]

//Designation: Bonecrusher. Of Tyran design.//

Skyfire's been hitting the database again. Space Investigator FTW.

//He sounds...highly inclined to hurt someone.// Skyfire will just leave that 'someone' blank.

[Starscream (Movie)]

//He's fine. That's just Bonecrusher.// Starscream sounds mildly annoyed.

[Dark Skyfire]

That's...fine? What kind of Decepticons were these? Still, Starscream sounds peeved.

//Uh...are the, uh, the kittens normal for Bonecrusher, also, sir?//

[Starscream (Movie)]

Bonecrusher isn't even all that dysfunctional for a Decepticon. All he has are rage/self-esteem issues. He doesn't have a split personality and Starscream is pretty sure he doesn't eat people.

//I don't know,// Starscream responds. What Bonecrusher does in his not-killing-Autobots time is Bonecrusher's business, as far as he's concerned.

//How strong are you?// he asks, apropos of nothing.

[Dark Skyfire]

Why doesn't Starscream sound concerned?

Skyfire makes one last-ditch effort at convincing him of the severity of the situation. //He has threatened to kill two fellow Decepticons.

...over his kittens.//

The question takes him off guard.

//I...uhh...fairly strong?// Was this some sort of challenge? He straightens up. //I assure you, Commander, I am more than combat capable.//

[Starscream (Movie)]

//He is Bonecrusher. He does that sort of thing with great regularity,// Starscream explains patiently. //However, your concern for your fellow Decepticons is noted, and I am well-pleased by it.//

Goodness knows they could use a shrink on staff, if Skyfire wants to continue therapizing¹ Bonecrusher. He can do Blackarachnia afterwards. Rampage will be the final exam.

//Am I to understand that you are volunteering to assist me with Bonecrusher and Barricade?//


^{1. Yes, of course this is a real word.}

[Dark Skyfire]

Well, Starscream has a similar design. He would know Bonecrusher. //Does he...act on these threats frequently?//

He does admit--or he would if he had any friends or kept a blog or something--he glows a bit with Starscream's praise. He must be a good leader. And...not much like the Starscream he knew.

Maybe Starscream should hold off on appointing Skyfire the Dr Freud of the Decepticons until everyone is assured that Bonecrusher won't start removing anyone's limbs.

Skyfire wasn't actually aware that that was the question he was really answering, but... //Yes. Any assistance I can provide.// Skyfire, if nothing else, is big. He can always...sit on one of them?

[Starscream (Movie)]

//He occasionally attempts to.//

Starscream is an excellent leader. The best leader. So much better than Scourge. He has all the leadership skills. All of them. Skyfire should totally back him when he starts his sudden but inevitable betrayal.

//Meet me there, then.//

[Dark Skyfire]

Skyfire tries to take confidence that the verb was 'tries' and not 'occasionally succeeds'. Which means Starscream stops him. What a burden to bear, having to lead a fractious mech like Bonecrusher.

//Yes sir, Commander.// A pause. //Should I...bring anything from medbay?// Just in case?

[Starscream (Movie)]

//A first-aid kit might be useful. Too much more than that shouldn't be necessary.//