Cyberformed: Inbox

[loyaltyandhonor]

"This is Commander Dreadwing. State your business, and I will return your message in due time."

un: 1stLtDreadwing

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[loyaltyandhonor]

[ Dreadwing stiffened, glad for the moment that Megatron had his back to him. He still found this blind acceptance of Soundwave's claims of what lay in their future off-putting, but he also could not think of a motive for the communications officer to mislead either of them. Certainly not Megatron. ]

I assure you that any word of Starscream's would already be cast in doubt. What, may I ask, is this portent from Soundwave's future?

[necrogladiator]

[Megatron decides that it is best not to mince words. Besides, it is best not to draw this out longer than it needs to.]

In the future, you will find out that Starscream used Dark Energon to resurrect your brother Skyquake, and you will attempt to kill him. According to Soundwave, whose words I trust above all else, I will then kill you before you succeed.

[Somewhat graciously, he allows Dreadwing a moment to digest all this. He still faces the window, observing the stars.]

[loyaltyandhonor]

[ Dreadwing stared in wide-eyed disbelief. After their previous discussion, when Megatron spoke of his death, Dreadwing had half expected this revelation to be of a similar nature. But he could have never anticipated the reality of Megatron’s words.

He had seen the records of the fallen soldiers returned to life with dark energon. Nothing but husks of their former selves, devoid of honor or dignity. It was difficult– impossible even– to imagine his brother, who possessed more spirit than anyone, who had tackled every obstacle with peerless vigor, reduced to such a state. If Starscream had– would?– commit such a fate upon one of his own comrades, a soldier felled under his command, then he deserved nothing less than a just death at Dreadwing's own hand. That, he had no trouble envisioning, for he would not stand anything less.

He had many questions, but would never dream of bothering Megatron with incessant inquiry? If Megatron wanted to divulge more information, he would have. Perhaps going straight to Soundwave was an option…though prying information from the communications officer could be just as impossible Megatron had ordered him silent.

So he asks the one question that mattered most. When he finally spoke his words were forced, his gazed fixed on Megatron’s back. ]

If that is true....then did Soundwave mention what possible reason you would have to stop me?

[necrogladiator]

Starscream brought to me items of enormous power in exchange for letting him live among Decepticons again. Though it might not seem like it on the surface, Starscream has his uses.

So, simply put: I imagine my future self looked at the situation and decided, in that moment, that Starscream was the more valuable of you two to myself and the Decepticon cause.

[Everything said in a cool, blunt tone as though he is simply reading off a mission report rather than telling Dreadwing of something that is in both their futures. Megatron has no thoughts to spare for Dreadwing's feelings, but he does wonder where he and Dreadwing stand now. He would rather not lose a perfectly loyal follower for the sake of Starscream.

With that all out of the way, he finally turns around and his piercing red optics watch Dreadwing carefully, ready to see if his First Lieutenant is friend or foe.]

However, that does not reflect on this ship. Considering how absolutely useless Starscream has been to me in every capacity, I cannot see myself sacrificing your life for is.

[loyaltyandhonor]

[ Dreadwing looked down, unable to meet Megatron’s gaze. His fists were clenched tight to the point of shaking, but that was the only indication of his frustration. He had to trust that whatever Starscream possessed was truly so valuable it could possibly be enough to buy his way back into their ranks, after his numerous attempts to betray, undermine, and even assassinate Megatron. So valuable that it was worth more to Megatron than the very loyalty that had earned Dreadwing his post in the first place. In his personal opinion there was nothing with that worth on Earth, Cybertron, or any other planet.

But Megatron was right. That future hadn’t happened. Aboard this ship or otherwise, Dreadwing vowed he would do everything in his power to see that it never did. Which meant tracking down the answers for himself. He would see for himself what it was that meant so much to Megatron.

He raised a hand to his chest with a slight bow. ]

Then I will continue to ensure you never have a reason to think otherwise, Lord Megatron. As I always have.