Inverted Insignia Chapter 14 New Challenges

Inverted Insignia
New Challenges

The mess hall was quiet, the main rush for meal hour had passed and those that remained hurried their fuel cubes down, or chatted quietly amongst each other. Some even took this time to study their subjects. The examinations for some subjects were coming up. Starscream had opened his files and began his reading. His meal had been finished and he was interrupted a whole three times during it. With one leaving the mess hall to run to the medical bay with two fingers less. These fingers, Starscream had displayed on the table in front of his tray as a warning - “Stay the pit away”. The fingers appeared to have worked. Others who might have challenged him stopped looked at the fluid covered digits and walked on, perhaps looking for less alert targets.

Starscream noticed that the meal hour attacks had slowly tapered off. They were infrequent and those that had tried were desperate new cadets. He avoided slagging brand new cadets because he felt it was the job of their peers as opposed to established ones. He found it fascinating when they dared take on a more experienced cadet and even more amused when they actually killed one. The attacks he suffered did taper off partly due to him stepping up his game and proving himself not to be trifled with.

His meal finished the flier then pushed the tray aside and leaned back. It was time to leave and head to his flight manoeuvre classes. Flight Manoeuvres was simplicity to Starscream his instructor admired at how he was a gifted natural. His flying skills did rival the instructor and rather than be annoyed, the instructor decided to take the young flier under her wing and have him assist in instructions. Even occasionally having Starscream aid her in teaching newer recruits. This was how he started his Junior Instructor training course; recommended by Flight Sergeant Acidtwist.

Junior Instructor was pre-requisite to Junior Leader and then Junior Leader was followed by Advanced Leadership. He found the Instructors course informative, learning the different methods of teaching knowledge to others. How other people learned, the difference of learning between types of transformers and how to make learning entertaining.

He was just packing up when his datapad up when the screen flashed an alert.

“Incoming message” it read:
Starscream Level 4,

Mandatory pit fight Summons. Requested by Lockout Level 4 Challenger.

Fight Time: 22:30 Arrive at 22:00 for battle preparations.
Meet: Battle master, Ground Zero

Notice: Pit fight winners may obtain a portion of bet credits, obtain weapon and armour upgrades as well as meal priority. Failure to present oneself to the pit will be recorded as a Permanent black mark denoting cowardice.

Battle master, Ground Zero.

The young flier put the datapad down and stared at it in disbelief. He knew that it was possible, after Thundercracker had warned him that those who were classified as level four would find themselves in armed battle at some point. Those who were classified level four would often find themselves sent to the crypt.

He mulled over the idea of fighting in the pit. It was entirely one thing to bicker over who had a meal or who's possessions belong to whom. But fighting in the pit was not only a test of one's learned combat skills but entertainment for spectators. Spectators who guessed who lived and who, in many cases, died.

The arena was adjacent to the Academy. It was a shared facility with battle hardened gladiators and Academy cadets. It was not typical for Cadets to fight the experienced Gladiators. Only those who were confident enough to challenge such a warrior would even dare. For those who dared it usually ended with them being shipped to the mortuary. To fight a Gladiator was a fight to the death. The prize for winning such a battle would be obtaining a position of a rank six officer in the Decepticon military, higher than what the Academy would grant a typical cadet. It was a worthy prize for those who dared.

To understand rules of the game, Starscream had viewed a several fights in recent months to get an idea of what he would expect. Even then he really did not anticipate actually being called in. The flier had somehow imagined he would have to initiate the challenge, not have a pit fighting cadet challenge him. He shuddered recalling the broken or lifeless bodies of cadets being removed from the field as the crowd cheered on the winner.

Starscream's fingers closed around the datapad as he stood up. He shook his head and strode purposefully to Riftwing's training centre. He sent a message to Acidtwist and informed her that he was being called to the pit. And required advice from Riftwing. Her reply was a simple but kind “good luck.”

*   *   *

There was a combat class in session, and Riftwing had the class riveted with his hand to hand combat instruction.  Starscream stood and observed, waiting for the older flier to finish his lesson. It was apparent to Riftwing, that Starscream had a problem. He was a few shades lighter in the face and he was concerned. The older flier  apologised to his cadets, dismissed them and wandered over to see what the younger Seeker required.

Starscream said nothing, but then showed him the datapad.

Riftwing read the datapad over and  nodded. “I see,” the older flier commented as he took a look at the youth. He could see the worry in the cadets optics. “You have an excellent combat foundation. I know you have been running simulations in you free time. I am sure you can do it. But you want to know what are your odds actually are?”

“Not every fight ends in a kill...I know this, but it does depend  a lot on the injury received,” Starscream said. “I probably could do it...but I really don't want it to end this way.”

“The trick, Starscream, is not to get injured. First and foremost you must avoid it; however, even the most accomplished pit fighters still get injured.” Riftwing led the cadet into his office and gestured to the chairs “Take a seat.”

The young Seeker nodded. “Have you any useful advice?” he asked hopefully.

“My best suggestion is pain management,” the older Seeker replied. “You need to push past pain to keep fighting, even if you are bleeding heavily from wounds.”

“This is not something one can learn in a just few hours now is it?”

“Ordinarily no, but your particular defensive system may allow for it to be used on you as an anaesthetic.”

“The null rays?” Starscream asked, “But it was neutralised when I was zapping medics while they were attempting to fix my wounds.”

“Outward reaction, yes; that was neutralised. Inward is something you likely have not yet figured out, yet. You appear to not understand your own basic capabilities. And the only one who can truly shed light on it is Darkstar. His EMP system quite similar to yours. He can use his EMP to turn off entire sections of his nervous system, yet he needs to be careful of how much he does neutralise. He could cause cessation of all pain in an area and not realise he got himself badly injured. Such a thing could lead to a death just as easily as being blinded by pain. The trick, and he will show you, is to reduce how much pain you are feeling. He can teach you how to keep it at an acceptable and bearable level.”

Starscream turned around as he felt the presence of another entering the room.

“Ah, Darkstar. Glad you could come,” Riftwing acknowledged.

“You requested my presence?” the Sergeant inquired. Looking over at the pair and the datapad in Riftwing's hands.

“Cadet Starscream has been formally challenged into his first pit fight. He needs some last minute training.” Riftwing handed the datapad over and Darkstar nodded

“I knew this day would eventually come,” the old flier frowned. “His fighting skills are coming along well, but what do you think can I teach him in the few hours he has left?”

The young flier went a shade lighter at the words 'few hours he has left.' he felt sick as he realised the oldest of the training trine did not appear to have much hope for his outcome. He felt his tanks starting to churn as nausea swept over him.

“He needs to learn how to manage pain like you do, Darkstar. His survival may actually depend on it. Starscream is fighting Lockout.”

“Lockout eh? That can take a lot longer than a few hours to learn,” the older Seeker replied. Taking a seat beside the pale youth.

“Why didn't he get these lessons sooner when you learned of his ability, Darkstar?” Riftwing inquired. “It could have saved him a fair amount of grief – especially now.”

Starscream nodded in agreement to Riftwing's counter.

“Because I thought the boy could and would have figured it out naturally, as I did. Considering his history, I did not expect him to be so fragging stupid.”

The young flier recoiled as if slapped across the face. His jaw dropped slightly at the stinging words. “In spite of that, you can still teach me though can't you?”

“At this time? Starscream, I really can't.”

“But...”

“Your opponent is a tough fighter, strong and will hit hard. Pain training is essentially torture – I have to physically, and mentally hurt you. You will be taught how to deal with torture and the pain associated with it. This is not something you or anyone else can endure before a life and death fight. After yes, but not before. You will be far too tired and drained from the training to fight at your capacity. You will most assuredly die.”

Starscream closed his mouth and said nothing.  Riftwing also said nothing but allowed the older flier to continue on.

“You can win this, but I cannot teach you the techniques as we typically would. All I can say is, when you feel pain that is intolerable, find the nearest sensory hub and think 'shut down.' You should be able to cut off all nervous receptors in the area; however, this means the entire section beyond that hub will be dead to you. I would recommend you not use that method for any needed extremities, this includes both legs, head and you can get away with shutting down a single arm. All you can really shut down is your wings. You may want to do that before battle because your foe will target them. Its our greatest asset and our weak spot. ”

The Cadet nodded barely reassured. “I guess I can try that...”

“If you should survive, Riftwing, Stellardrift and I will teach you how to resist pain, through the torture resistance training. It will not be a pleasant experience though.”  The old Seeker said in as gentle a tone as possible. “And finally, your ability, in-spite of its apparent limitations is actually very useful. Indeed, Skywarp can move from place to place in a flicker of an optic, Thundercracker can shake the foundations of the city with his booms, but neither have a built in defence that can allow them to push past the normal punishment that is typically borne by Seekers.”

Starscream exhaled frowning. He only received a promise of teaching providing he lived. He glanced at the two older mech and nodded. “Thank you for your information, I will attempt to find the hubs before hand so I am not too distracted trying to find them later – if I need it.”

Darkstar nodded, “good plan.”

Starscream left with a number of questions rolling through his mind. Torture training -  exactly what did that entail. He knew by its sound that it was going to be very unpleasant and a lesson he probably would quickly want to avoid. He wanted to know why was the training for pain management left so late, and why was it not part of compulsory learning a lot sooner.  

*  *  *

Starscream sat on a chair, optics offline, as he focused on his entire nervous system. It was difficult after a while as his body reacted with itching and tingling sensations clouding his ability to figure out where individual sections were. He thought he had located the major hub groups when Skywarp teleported in. Thundercracker came in along just behind at a jog.

“Whatcha doing screamer?” the dark Seeker asked as he usually did.

“Trying something new...” the young flier explained “Skywarp... punch my arm.”

“Punch you-really?”  Skywarp asked smiling with dangerous glee. “Is it my hatch-day or something?” The dark Seeker practically hopped from foot to foot hoping that what Starscream was asking was true. It was something he dreamed of doing.

“Shut up Skywarp and just do it already before I change my mind...”

“Screamer, I thought you'd never ask,” he said with alacrity, he balled his fist and raised his arm, bringing it down with a powerful slam that sent Starscream spiralling over his chair onto the floor. “Oh was that too hard?” Skywarp asked looking over.

“Nyargh!” Starscream cried out grabbing his shoulder, then focusing carefully, he attempted to trigger the nearest hub. Unfortunately it shut him off and the flier passed out.

Thundercracker's jog had turned into a full run as he arrived just too late to stop the dark Seeker from attacking their unit leader. “Skywarp, have you lost it!? What in the pit are you doing?!” the blue Seeker demanded. “He's on our side!”

“I know, Thunder, but Screamer asked me to punch him... do you think I'd turn down such a golden opportunity? Heck you wouldn't turn it down if he asked you,” Skywarp remarked as he leaned in and poked the unconscious flier.

“As if.” Thundercracker reached down and pressed his fingers to the fliers throat. He could feel a pulse and exhaled slowly. “Where did you slug him?”

“He did ask, Thunder. Believe me.” Skywarp pleaded, his main worry was alienating his closest friend. “I only punched his arm, I dunno how I managed to knock him out cold, but...he's out cold.”

“Why would he ask for you to punch him out?” He asked perplexed. An unusual action for their unit leader.

“No idea, he said he was trying something and then asked for me to punch him...He's a scientist, he probably was doing weird science-y stuff.”

Starscream groaned and his optics flickered on after about two minutes. “Oh primus, that...ugh.”

“Did it work, Screamer?” the dark Seeker inquired. “Did it?”

“A loose yes, and a definite no.” Starscream responded pushing himself up and off the ground rubbing his head groggily.

“What were you trying to prove, Starscream,” Thundercracker asked.

“To see if I can shut down a hurt area...if only temporarily.” the young flier replied. “It failed spectacularly.

“Should I even ask why you would think this is even necessary?” Thundercracker reached down and helped the other flier to his feet.

“Because, Thundercracker, tonight might be my last night alive...”he exhaled rubbing his arms and flexing his fingers trying to get the shooting pain and tingling out. “I am being called to fight in the pit tonight...”

“Pardon?” the blue Seeker said in disbelief, “Can't you refuse?” Skywarp's smile faded rapidly, the fun had faded.

“If I refuse, then I get a black mark on my transcript,” he replied giving his arm a final rub down.

“If you go, then you get a plot number on your transcript.” the blue Seeker replied darkly.

The dark flier's smile returned. “I call dibs on his third of the supplies!” Skywarp chimed in. Both Starscream and Thundercracker gave the dark flier a silencing glare. Skywarp stepped back knowing he had overstepped his bounds this time.

“Anything Skywarp and I can do?” Thundercracker asked.

Starscream raised his wings and shook his head. “No, nothing really. I suppose, I should eat, but I really do not want to go to the mess hall at this point. I can't risk conflict right now.” A second later Skywarp smiled brightly then vanished in a blast of cold air.

“I think, Warp's gonna take care of dinner arrangements,” the blue Seeker surmised.

“Look, there might be something you two can do.  Please watch my fight and... uh, place some bets...” he said sounding nervous.

“We don't have credits, Starscream.” the older Seeker held his hands out to indicate being broke.

“Yeah, but I do...” the flier reached around and unlocked his foot locker. “I have some,” he took out a box and opened the lid revealing a significant stack of credits. “I have about a thousand credits, that is five hundred each. Bet wisely – maybe not waste it on me. If you do bet on me and I live, I want my 1000 credits back, but you can keep what remains. If you bet on the other and I die, see that something nice is placed on my marker.” He handed the box over to his wingmate.

Thundercracker opened his mouth to speak.

“Humour me, Thundercracker,” the younger flier demanded cutting him off before he could respond. “I have not left you anything in my will – You remember the one we wrote out at the start. All my stuff goes to the academy -  all of it. At least this way, I can see you two get something at least. Think of it as a Thanks.”

“You aren't dead yet, Starscream, but I will do as you want with it.” The blue Seeker tucked it away.

Skywarp burst back in with three trays of meals. Starscream could not help himself but grin at what was clearly a theft of decent magnitude. “You stole them from new recruits?” Starscream asked.

“No, I took a more challenging target, the canteen staff - as they were serving it,” Skywarp bragged.

“Maybe I do have an appetite after all.” the young flier laughed as he took a tray.  He sat down and ate hungrily. He had to admit, Skywarp always came through.