104/Old Friends

Cast of Characters: | Starscream, 60

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
The Autobot scientist is usually cooped up in his laboratory, performing tests on various weapons prototypes, but today, he's conducting artillery research on the prisoners being held below Deltaran. Jetfire has just finished inspecting the Decepticon in the cell two doors down from Starscream when he notices the Air Commander sulking in the shadows of his cell not too far from where he's standing.

 "..."

 "Fascinating. I don't know if I should be surprised or not."

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream hears a familar voice, a voice that at once makes him happy and angry and sad. He looks up and stares at Jetfire for a moment. "Satisfied I thought would be the more appropriate reaction coming from you, /friend/" His voice is tinged with bitterness.

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
The scientist cringes. With a sigh, he subspaces his datapad and slowly makes his way over to Starscream's cell. The armored plating covering his face retracts, revealing his bright blue optics and handsome countenance. "Yet you still call me that, as bitter as you are," he says, "why are you here? As much as I'd like to say that I'm satisfied to see you, I just can't. You're behind bars, Starscream. That's not where I was hoping you'd end up eventually."

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream stands and takes a step toward the Autobot. "Why not? The side I chose gauranteed I'd end up like this according to you, Jetfire. Isn't that what you tried to get through to me?"

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
Jetfire grows slightly defensive. "Don't put words in my mouth Starscream. I never said that. What I did say is that I was trying to help you do what was best for you. You could have been something greater than what you are now. You could.. not be in this cell, letting the effects of claustrophobia get the best of you. It isn't too late."

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream glances away for a second. "Did you have to remind me of that? You know me too well." and right now the Seeker isn't sure he appreciates that. "And what was best for me? You really beleive that? The council, the Primes. They are all corrupt. That is what Megatron saw. That is what you don't see. Don't trust any of the Primes, Jetfire, not even this one." Of course this probably isn't the best thing for Starscream to say right now considering this PRime holds his fate in his hands. But Starscream isn't known for thinking things through before he runs his vocal synth at times.

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
His optics dim a little. "Starscream, have you ever met Optimus personally? No? I didn't think so." He sighs, rubbing his helm. "Look, I agree. The Senate was corrupt. But that's why I'm following Optimus. Because he's...well, everything the Senate was not. We /are/ going to have peace, someday. Think of it," he says to the seeker, "one day, you and I will be able to perform all the research and own our own laboratories. And we'll be free to pursue our own interests, not whatever's convenient for the war." He grips the jail cell bars. "It's possible. But we need to go the route of as little violence as possible."

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream says with a rebelious air, "And it will take violence to get to the point of no violence..." he takes another step closer. "Freedom won't be won by words, by negotiations. Words are meaningless at this point. Words have been used to promote this situation to its present state. What makes you think words can undo it? They can't."

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
"I didn't say there would no violence," Jetfire says, his tone of voice hardening a little. "There will be some, granted. But there's no point in using violence to nullify violence, don't you realize?! That achieves the very thing we want to avoid. Starscream, we are a society stuck in a vicious cycle of wrongdoing and revenge. Somewhere along the line, someone has to be the one to stop that cycle. To stop the violence. You don't have to annihilate everyone who disagrees with you. That's what the Senate did." He grips the jail cell bars tighter.

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream spreads his arms indicating the cell he's in. "And what do you call this? I was minding my own business attempting to check on something of a personal nature -- oh but I was in /Iacon/ where I didn't belong and now look at me." he snorts a bit. "Seems to me I'm scheduled for annihilation because someone disagreed with where I was at the time."

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
"That's not for certain," Jetfire says to Starscream calmly, "the /trial/ is coming up in a few megacycles. Trial as in, not an execution. I wouldn't be Autobot if criminals were not allowed a trial, at the very least." He sighs, his expression growing tired. "Starscream, I was not the one to put you in this jail cell. Nor was I there when you were arrested. It isn't my fault you're in here. I didn't decide you should be locked up."

**Starscream has posed:**
"Come on we both know I will be found guilty -- the trial will be a mockery." Starscream says, "I have no.. faith in this new Prime. You are a fool for beleiving in him, Jetfire. IF there is anything left of our friendship, you will see to it that i am not killed or extracted for incarceration."

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
His optics widen a little bit. And what kind of crime has Starscream committed this time? Or had the Autobots not gotten the full context and arrested him wrongly?

 Despite Starscream's allegiance, Jetfire cannot help but fear for the Air Commander.

 "... very... well," he says quietly, "but I didn't say that," he replies softly. He pauses. "Starscream, what happened? You were Iacon... but why?"

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream hopes Jetfire is telling the truth about helping him. "I was going to my lab -- the warehouse when Quickswitch ran across me on patrol. Jetfire I really was just minding my business -- and the only reason why I was in Iacon was due to a freak mid air collision with Blast OFf. We both were damaged and Iacon was the closest place to land for repairs. I told him to go on ahead back and thats when I decided to check on /my/ property." he pauses a beat. "Prowl has made it clear just how I will spend my sentance so as far as I'm concerned I have already been proven guilty.. crimes agaisnt Cybertron..." A wing twitches at that comment. "IF one can really be charged for something like that why isn't he sitting as a bodiless spark in a white out chamber for the next decavorn?"

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
Jetfire seems to want to believe Starscream, but at the same time, knows better than to trust someone like him. "...look, you and I both know that the only way for me to know if you're really telling the truth is if I go to investigate this for myself," he says with a heavy sigh, skeptical.

 "..." Really, he only tolerates Prowl. "Because," he says, "he's second in command, that's why." He sighs, glancing down. "You know, you're right to an extent. The government, even with Prime around, is not completely rid of corruption. But there are enough good bots around for me to believe in peace and a better future on the side I've aligned myself with."

 There's an extended paused. "Starscream... I'm sorry. I wish for the good old days, too. But things just aren't the same anymore."

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream waves a dissmissive hand. "Fine go investigate, I am telling the truth. Look for the small femme, Swivel and ask her. Question Aegis. She was the one we ran across and paid to field repair Blast OFf and myself. I'm not lying, Jetfire." hes not lying for a change that is. "And I gather rank has its priveledges then regarding Prowl...and you say this Prime is different..."

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
Jetfire seems a little surprised by his genuineness. Whether he is lying or not is to be proven from Jetfire's point of view, but Starscream would not usually encourage investigation if what's being said isn't true.

 Was it possible that he'd managed to talk some sense into Starscream...?! He leans forward, invigorated by the prospect. "Yes," He reassures him eagerly, "he's very different. Starscream, he cares about the people. He cares about equality. And peace. He went up against the Senate," he says, "I know he doesn't agree with many of the government's methods."

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream asks flatly, "Then why is Prowl his Second in Command?"

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
"Prowl was second in command even before Orion became Prime," Jetfire says. "He's been there a while," he continues. "And only Primus knows what he's done to maintain his position of power. I bet that even Prime dare not try to depose him." He sighs. "Prime cannot deny that Prowl is incredibly intelligent and a valuable asset. That may be part of it. But you know how Prowl is. He... manipulates people."

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream nods slightly, "He needs to be put in his place, Jetfire. Lets see this glorious new Prime do it. Then perhaps I will consider what you're saying as truth."

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
"Starscream, it isn't that easy. Prime won't do it because .. Prowl has too much power and even I'll admit the Autobots need his wit and intelligence. Of course, Prowl is completely aware of this. I'm not a criminal mastermind, Starscream, and neither is Prime. Prowl won't be taken out of the position he's in without some kind of terrible ramification. Don't you think he's thought through how many people don't like him in the place of power he's in now? Of course he has. I'm probably not the first one to admit that I think he'd be better suited elsewhere." He looks around to ensure that no one else is around.

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream has to admit to himself that his friend is right. It would be very complicated to get Prowl out of his position and right now there are more important things to contend with. "Ok fine." he says and thats dropped the subject as far as hes concerned. Perhaps Jetfire can remember how easy this Seeker can change subjects and ideas. "Investigate this situation, Jetfire. I have told you who to contact. Contact Blast Off as well. I may be a lot of things now but I really had nothing in mind when I ended up in Iacon. IT was an accident and I thought that while I was here, I had the right to check on my property. It is still mine, that much I know. It's not like I went out of my way to come here."

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
Jetfire smiles a little bit, slightly more at ease now that Starscream has conceded somewhat. "I will," he says, "if you were really just minding your own business and dropped into Iacon for repairs, I will do my earnest best to see that you are given a fair trial," he says.

 He pauses, something else weighing heavily on his spark. "If you're allowed to walk," he says to Starscream, "will you at least reconsider what I said to you all those vorns ago...?"

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream is quiet for a long moment then says. "IF I say no does that mean I don't walk?"

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
".... no, but..." Air rushes out of Jetfire's ventilation shafts in a heavy sigh. He's disappointed, but he should have known better. Bygones must be bygones, he tells himself.

 "...nevermind." He turns to leave.

**Starscream has posed:**
Starscream watches him and a flash of sadness, regret flits across his face? "Jetfire...we made out choice and they weren't on the same side in this..." he's not sure what else to say. What else can he say? He turns to sit back down on his recharge slab and fight to ignore the walls and the ceiling that seem to get closer to him with each passing moment.

**Jetfire (60) has posed:**
Jetfire pauses in the hallway, his back still facing Starscream. "...I'll.. see you at the trial," he says quietly, optics dimming. Then the armored plating around his face slides back into place and he continues down the hallway, disappearing from sight.