Radio: Thundercracker to Starscream

[Thundercracker]

//Thundercracker reporting. Dead End has given me a rundown of the situation on this planet. I suppose I'm to report to you now?//

[Starscream]

//That's right.// Starscream replied, apprehensive about how well Thundercracker would take this. //In fact, we have an old friend to catch up with. Shrapnel has turned up and is skulking around.// Starscream transmitted the rough co-ordinates to the location that's currently playing in the "Wake-up call" thread.

[Thundercracker]

//We've got Insecticons? Slaggit. Where's an exterminator when you need it?// He's never liked the bug-mechs -- not that a swarm of mind-controlling, storm-inducing, blackmailing low-lifes had a lot of friends to begin with. //Meet you there.//

[Thundercracker]

//Thundercracker to Starscream. Out of simple curiosity -- do we have any idea who's compromised the main broadbands? If we've got a traitor, makes sense to root him out and be rid of him, right?//

[Starscream]

Starscream is cold as ice on the radio. //Oh, we know all right.//

[Thundercracker]

//We do?// Thundercracker doesn't like the tone of Starscream's voice now -- it means some poor sap's about to receive a facefull of null ray or fist, depending on the Seeker's whim.

//Who... and more importantly how? Fleetwind and Hellbender seem to think it was just an idiot mistake, Eye-fire and the tank...// Yes, he's met the tank twice and still doesn't know his name. //...seem to think it was a traitor. I'd like to hear the full facts before I start blasting at someone.// He doesn't want to repeat that goof he made with Sell Sword...

[Starscream]

//If they are looking for the person to blame, it's Cannonball. He's here right now. Apparently he didn't realize that Autobots tampering with his radio was a bad thing.//

[Thundercracker]

//Thundercracker to Starscream, Omega Supreme is on the scene. Skystrike and I are pulling out.//

[Starscream]

//Hello, Thundercracker, old friend. You don't really think you're on the winning side of this thing, do you?//

[Thundercracker]

Starscream's calling him "old friend." That in itself is enough to ring some alarms in his CPU. Friendly Starscream translates to "Starscream wants something, and it's not something innocent like the time of day."

//I'll admit, we don't have the brawn or speed advantage of some teams// he replies warily. //Not that brawn or speed always wins a battle... Why do you ask?// Rubbing his face in his defeat already, is he?

[Starscream]

//Well I was just thinking.. Skystrike might be okay in the sky¹, but she cannot be considered in the same field as you or I. And Wreckage? He cannot even fly. It would be a shame for a skilled warrior as yourself to be condemned to a loss because of his teammates...//


¹ The previous statement is the opinion of Starscream and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Starscream's player, the admin or stat system of Transformers Deadzone. In fact, it's probably not necessarily Starscream's opinion. It's what people who are such charming negotiators like Starscream refer to as a "lie".

[Thundercracker]

//If we're old friends, we can cut with the beating around the bush, Starscream. Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you suggesting I jump ship?//

[Starscream]

//See? An excellent warrior and a sharp mind.//

[Thundercracker]

Flattery is just one more service Starscream offers, isn't it? At least when he wants something...

//If I join your team, you'd better have a decent plan of action. What capacity do you need me in?//

[Starscream]

//Air offense. But for now? Sabotage. What can you tell me about the tactics of your team? Where is your flag and what is guarding it?//