Transformers: Animated: Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 17: Together Again

The ominous, darkened halls of Megatron's fortress on Dinobot Island echoed with the heavy footsteps of the Decepticon leader as he marched towards the throne room. Behind him, two Vehicon guards dragged the battered forms of Starscream and Slipstream, their armor scraped and dented from their recent capture. Starscream, for all his bravado, was now reduced to a pleading wreck, his optics wide with fear as they neared Megatron's imposing presence.

The throne room doors hissed open, revealing Megatron seated on his jagged metal throne, his crimson optics gleaming with a cold, calculating light. The air was thick with tension as Knockout and Breakdown followed, standing at attention as the guards unceremoniously dumped Starscream and Slipstream before their leader.

Starscream, desperate to save his own spark, immediately threw himself at Megatron's feet. "Lord Megatron, please! Have mercy! I was wrong to betray you! I see that now!" he begged, his voice trembling. "Spare me, and I will prove my loyalty to you once more! I won't try to overthrow you again!"

Megatron gazed down at the groveling Seeker, a sneer twisting his lips. "Starscream," he began, his voice a deep rumble that sent shivers down the spines of all present, "Your betrayals have become tiresome. You have failed me time and time again, yet you continue to survive, like a cockroach scuttling in the shadows."

Starscream flinched at the harsh words, but he dared not interrupt.

"Execution," Megatron continued, leaning forward slightly, "has proven ineffective in dealing with you." His optics narrowed. "It seems that, despite my many attempts, you always manage to return. So, perhaps it is not death that you fear."

Starscream's hope flickered. Maybe, just maybe, he could talk his way out of this. "Yes, Lord Megatron! I am too valuable to destroy! Let me serve you—"

"Silence!" Megatron's voice cracked like a whip, and Starscream immediately clamped his mouth shut, trembling.

For a long moment, Megatron studied him, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke, his tone cold and final. "You will not be executed for treason, Starscream. Instead, I will imprison you. You will remain in the darkest depths of this fortress until you prove your loyalty to me, if you can."

Starscream's optics widened in horror, but before he could protest, Megatron turned his gaze to Slipstream. "And you...Will you submit?"

Slipstream glared up at him defiantly, her optics burning with hatred. "I'd rather be melted down into slag than serve you," she spat.

Megatron's lips curled into a bitter frown. "So be it."

Before anyone could react, Slipstream made her move. With lightning speed, she lashed out at the guards holding her, her fists smashing into their midsections with a force that sent them reeling. She bolted for the exit, her agility and determination allowing her to dodge the blasts of the remaining guards as she sprinted out of the throne room.

Megatron watched her escape, his expression one of mild irritation rather than surprise. "Let her go," he ordered, waving off the guards who had moved to pursue her. "She won't get far."

Starscream, however, was not so fortunate. The guards seized him again, dragging him towards the fortress's prison cells. As they passed Knockout, the sleek Decepticon smirked and fell into step beside them.

"Well, well, Starscream," Knockout drawled, his voice laced with mockery. "Looks like you've found yourself in another fine mess. What is this, the tenth time you've failed to overthrow Megatron? Or have I lost count?"

Starscream glared at him, though the fear in his optics diminished the effect. "Laugh all you want, Knockout, but I'll find a way out of this. I always do."