Inverted Insignia Chapter 19 Warped Humour

Inverted Insignia
Warped Humour

Thundercrakcer and Skywarp leaned back in their chairs as they played poker with another Seeker team. It was down time. Starscream had declined to participate as he wished to work on his assignments, some of which were delayed, yet he was distracted by the weather. he glanced into the sky and stared at the pinkish clouds; Acid storm clouds. Meteorologists suggested acidification of the rain was increasing and could become quite dangerous in future. What that stood for in regards to the viability of Cybertronian landscape and wildlife was anyone's guess, but scientists speculated that it would be devastating.

It was the Seekers who were the first to notice the change in rain water. The acidic drops had a different feeling, rather than being cool and refreshing they found it to be hot and unpleasant. The new rain seemed to burn their sensitive wings, some even complained of blistering, particularly along the leading edges. As a result the Seekers elected to withdraw to cover until it passed. Yet this also had a second drawback. Seekers were claustrophobic, some worse than others and they found it uncomfortable to be held inside. They found ways of dealing with the feeling. Some slept it off, some paced like caged beasts, others, like Skywarp and Thundercracker, distracted themselves with games of chance. But those like Starscream found themselves in front of large windows looking out. Even his assignments were not distraction enough. It had rained for over fourty-eight hours and it did not appear to be letting up. Starscream was getting edgy. He decided he might have to checkout the simulators for some game that gave him an illusion of clear skies and out doors.

The young Seeker glanced over at Skywarp. The dark Seeker had won several games and a large cache of energon and a fair pile of credits. It was only a matter of time that Skywarp would end up getting into slag for his cheating. No one could really prove he cheated, most who played him were fairly sure he was, yet they were unsure how. Skywarp saw to it he lost a game or two, but not usually when he had a lot to loose. Starscream watched in an attempt to analyse his methods and could only come up with one possibility. Skywarp was a magician had extremely excellent slight of hand abilities. Had they been in peacetimes, he might suggest that the dark Seeker to act as a magician. After all, the flier could disappear. And he would make significant amount of credits on tours. He would be his agent...no, Thundercracker would end up being Skywarp's agent. They were the true friends, Starscream was only a tag along who ended up leading the unit.

The room brightened pink-white, as lightning stuck a nearby spire and thunder rumbles across the room. Skywarp glanced up as the lights flickered and the power died. Starscream quickly grabbed a lantern off his desk and slammed it into the middle of the poker game before Skywarp could be caught stealing from the pot.  He knew how his wingmate would think and wanted to protect his team and their assets.

Again lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, rain started to hammer heavily against the heavy translucent aluminium windows. “I suggest you call it an end to the game and find out who won, because I think we're going to get hammered with this storm.” The gamers murmured in agreement. In spite of its early end, Skywarp's hand appeared to be strong and he won the pot. “You might want to work on your academics, Skywarp.” Starscream suggested.

“Yeah, Screamer, I was gonna ask you, mind doing it for me?” the dark Seeker smiled as he took the chips and tucked them away into subspace. “You aren't doing anything productive.”

Starscream snorted in disgust. “No,” was the trine leader's sharp reply. “I am not doing your work.” the youth turned back to watch the storm pick up steam.

“Why not? You're smart. This would be easy-peasy stuff to you,” the dark Seeker continued.

“Exactly. I can not write like you. And I am not prone to drawing inane 'scrawlies' across my papers... some of which are questionable, if not embarrassing in nature.” he spat.

“Are ya calling me an idiot?” Skywarp demanded.

The young flier shook his head. “No, but you write like one.”

“You're saying I'm an idiot,” he repeated.

“No Skywarp. I am just not good at writing like you, you have a more simple way...” the youth started.

“So I'm simple then to you?”

Starscream groaned inwardly. He knew how Skywarp liked to twist and manipulate others and he now was bored out of his mind and wanting to toy with him.

“Uh...in a good way, yes. I mean you are happy with what you got...stop twisting my...”

“Starscream,” Thundercracker interjected, “You best walk away from this, you're digging a big pit and jumping in.”

Starscream nodded and turned to leave, as he did Skywarp leapt out of his seat and teleported mid jump and was on Starscream's back in a blink of an eye. Starscream was unable to perceive the attack from behind due to the nature of Skywarp's ability. He knocked his leader to the floor  and attempted to wrap his hands around the youths throat. Starscream grabbed his wingmate by the wing tip and wrenched him off. In a moment he had the dagger out and pressed to the other flier's throat. “Listen 'warp, I am not doing your homework. The professors could tell in an instant it is not your work. Also, don't jump me again or this blade will find its mark and I will kill you. I do not wish to do that.”

Skywarp nodded. “I got it, I'll get nailed for cheating.”

Starscream smiled slightly and nodded pushing the other away before putting his dagger back in its scabbard.

“Skywarp, don't take on a pit fighter, and Starscream don't antagonise Skywarp.” Thundercracker shook his head then grabbed a towel and sauntered off to the wash racks and left his two wingmates to settle down.

Skywarp sat back down and smiled at Starscream.

The trine leader stated to feel uneasy as where ever he moved he Skywarp' head would follow. Starscream could see the light of the lantern reflecting off Skywarp's face, in the window,  that he was smiling. He watched and he smiled until the dark Seeker was wearing a broad disconcerting grin. Raising a wing and tipping his head slightly he turned to glare at Skywarp. “What are you doing?”

Smiling the dark seeker replied, “Nothing, just watching you.”

The young Seeker snorted. “Please stop, I dislike being stared at.”

“Why?” Skywarp asked innocently.

The young flier groaned again, it appeared Skywarp was about to start once again, and this time Thundercracker was safely in the wash racks. Starscream hoped that perhaps the power failure was affecting that building, but he doubted it. Thundercracker was gone too long and would not come to break the pair up if it was needed. “Because, Its creeping me out.”

“Fun isn't it?” the dark Seeker grinned.

“You're pissing me off,” Starscream snapped.

“I know,” Skywarp smiled with a delighted grin. “I like seeing you angry. Your face gets dark, you grit your teeth and clench your hands on top of this your wings vibrate.”

“Do you want to die?” the youth hissed reaching for his blade.

“Ya know what? You're really becoming a mean guy... I once knew you as a soft shelled scientist and now you're a cold blooded killer. Its amazing... its like watching a fledgling grow into his wings. I am so proud of you.” Skywarp touched his chest in a near loving manner.

“Thundercracker said not to antagonise me...”

“No, what Thundercracker said was not to fight you, he told you not to antagonise me.” Skywarp smiled serenely. “He never said I couldn't antagonise you. But I'm bored... show me what you do before you fight, ya know your training against interrogation.”

Starscream let out a long winded sigh. “I suppose that won't hurt, if you get off my case...”

Skywarp leapt ot his feet so fast, Starscream was not sure if he had actually stood up or teleported into standing position. “I can't wait to see how they torture you, I wish I could be there.”

“You would...” the youth muttered under his breath as he glared at his wingmate, but shrugged. “Fine, hopefully the sim generators are on...”

Skywarp rubbed his hands in glee. He was a true Decepticon to the core.

Sections of the campus was dark, and other sections were lit. there were maintenance staff running to different parts working on getting power back to various sections. Living quarters were usually the last sections to get brought back online. Hardly anyone was there except to sleep. Except Seekers who wanted to hang low while storms raged outside.

The simulator wing had power. This was fortunate. He was tempted to operate a game program but decided to appeal to his wingmate's sadistic side and show him his training program. Within a few moments, Starscream had initiated the lesson and stepped in. He glanced at the casket propped against the wall and gave a shudder. The thing gave him the creeps.

Skywarp walked over to the tools, some of them terrifying in nature. The dark Seeker might have shuddered slightly at some of them, or it was a vibration of excitement. Starscream was never sure. Skywarp was psychotic.

“We are all going to be trained in this stuff, eventually, but I am advancing due to my pit fighting.” Starscream gestured over the tools and then pointed to the chair. “They strap me in that and then either attack me or my holo-avatar.” The Seeker turned to the console and activated the transparent Seeker. “I get given low level toxins, truth serums, electric prods, phobia desensitisation. They view my reactions, I view my reactions and I am taught how to control those areas.

“Seeker phobias... like being in coffins?” Skywarp asked pointing to the obvious box.

“That's one of them,” Starscream agreed.

“Have you been in it?” Skywarp asked looking a little disturbed.

“No, not yet... they are attempting to get me used to it by keeping it in the room. I know what is is, they want me to go into it willingly.” Starscream explained. “The training is gradual. They inflict pain and suffering until I get used to it. Then they increase the levels. I'm still on entry level. They teach me to shut off pain centres. Remember when I passed out after you clocked me one?”

Skywarp laughed. “Yeah, in the shoulder. You shut the wrong spot off if I recall.” Skywarp touched a long staff with a duel pronged tip. In the middle, between the prongs was a small pink crystal. He touched the activation button and it arced. Skywarp smiled.

Starscream nodded. “Energon prod can inflict varying levels of pain. Mild shock to stasis shut down. It'll last a minute or two. I have some natural resistance to it, so it'll not last long on me.”

“Really?” Skywarp looked the prod over and then glanced at Starscream, who had turned to look at the chair.

The young flier should have anticipated what Skywarp was thinking of doing, but Skywarp was rather unpredictable at times. Starscream should have been watching his back, but he never really expected his wingmate to dial up the energon prod and jam him in the back of the neck with it. Starscream let out a startled, strangled cry as he collapsed to the ground.

Skywarp giggled as he watched the avatar's nervous system light up then shut down.  “Screamer this stuff is boss!” The dark Seeker said dragging Starscream over to the casket. He heaved Starscream up and shoved him in. He arranged the young fliers arms and then closed the lid down, clasping the latches. The lid was secured.  

Skywarp grinned savagely as he took a step back to admire his handiwork and brushed his hands on his thighs. He sat down in Starscream's chair and took out a bottle of energon he had won, then took a swig. As he did he watched as the avatar's core rebooted and the Seeker come back online.  His grin grew larger as Starscream woke up. He leaned forward to his face expressing sadistic pleasure.

The avatar started to display multiple colour patterns as the young imprisoned Seeker realised he was confined within the Coffin and was unable to get out. The tight space did not permit him to move much, his feet kicked as best they could and his cries were muffled as he begged to be released. Skywarp watched until the avatar shut down again. Small dwindling indication of functionality. He got off his chair, the show was done. Skywarp exited the simulator and trotted off to his Cybertronian history class, with great spirits.

Thundercracker eventually caught up with Skywarp in the canteen. “Where's Starscream?” he asked.

“Oh he said he was going to the simulator to practice after our scuffle. I left him -  you know how he likes being left alone.”

Thundercracker nodded but gave his wingmate a long penetrating gaze. This was typical Starscream behaviour, to escape Skywarp he would often head to the simulators, but something about it was not right. There was a glint in his friend's optics that suggested something sinister.

“You did something didn't you...”

Skywarp looked shocked and appalled at the accusation. “Me? Do something to Starscream? Never.”

With that, Thundercracker charged out of the canteen leaving his serenely smiling wingmate behind.

*  *  *

Thundercracker arrived at the simulator to find  Riftwing, Stellardrift and Darkstar already inside. Stellardrift had opened up the casket and the unconscious Seeker tumbled out into the arms of other two. The pair hefted him to the chair and ensured the computer link with his nervous system was active. “He's alive,” Darkstar informed.

“Is he okay?” Thundercracker asked.

“He should be, just passed out from terror. Wish I knew how he got in there...” Stellardrift replied.

Darkstar rumbled. “I don't think we're ever going to get him sufficiently desensitised to claustrophobia, if anything this will just re-enforce his fear.” the older flier said sadly.

Riftwing brought bright lamps and turned them onto the Seeker, he turned on fans to blow air. It was to cause the young cadet to realise that he was no longer confined in a casket, but in a brightly lit airy area. Stellardrift changed the scene to resemble an alien world that Starscream frequently ran when he wanted time alone. However he left the holo-Avatar in place. They needed to monitor him.

Starscream slowly came to and when he realised he was awake panic set in. he started to hyperventilate. Darkstar pushed everyone back away from the flier and allowed him to have room. They also did not want to encounter the blade, should the Seeker choose to lash out with it.

“Starscream,” Darkstar said in a firm voice, “You are freed of your enclosure and you are fine. Relax... no one is going to hurt you.”

The young flier took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. His optics set on Thundercracker. “Give me a reason not to murder Skywarp the moment I see him.”

Thundercracker rumbled. “I really can't defend Skywarp's actions. But killing him would destabilise a strong unit. I admit I probably would join you in murdering him, for what he has done, but this is Skywarp. He is, basically a sociopath -  he does it without thinking of how it affects anyone. Just as long as he gets his amusement out of it.  

Starscream growled in irritation. Thundercracker was right, this was typical Skywarp antics. But it was not funny. Fortunately the others did not appear to take humour in his situation, they were quite upset by it. The older trine allowed the young Seeker to settle down, relax. They monitored his system through the avatar, which took Thundercracker's interest.

As he rested in the seat they explained to Thundercracker how the avatar and Starscream were usually connected via a two way link. Currently a one way connection was being utilised, and more as a monitor of the traumatised youths systems. The even explained the purpose of the Seeker Casket. Thundercracker shuddered at the thought emphasising with Starscream. There was nothing in the world that would make him willingly crawl inside.

Thundercracker nodded now having a better understanding of what purpose the young flier's dangerous education served. He understood that they wanted the youth to be successful, and the trine as a whole to do well. As uncomfortable as they were regarding Starscream's entrance into pit fighting, they felt the youth would succeed and survive it – but only if he had a little more time to recover.  They feared that young flier would have done himself some damage in an attempt to break free of his confinement, but he did not. He simply passed out.

“I still want to kill him,” Starscream murmured.

Thundercracker tipped his head slightly. “Its becoming easier for you, to end someone isn't it?”

“I wouldn't have thought it possible, but yeah. Much easier. My instinct to protect myself in whatever way possible, I think, is growing.”

“You have a good skill set, young cadet.” Darkstar agreed. “You're intelligence and ability to think ahead, should serve you well. You just need to get used to thinking extremely fast and considering all your options and outcomes in only a few seconds then acting upon them. I see that you have already been reviewing pit footage of those who you probably will be pitted against in future, as well as your first foe -  Lockout. This is good strategy. Keep in mind they are also doing the same thing. However, the best pit fighters will be doing that type of study. This is how they stay alive.” Darkstar sat down on a chair across from the young flier, who was listening with intent.

Thundercracker also found himself a perch on the edge of the dissection table.  

“You need to take your study further. As a strategist, you need to think a few moves ahead. If they lunge at you, what is their favoured motion after, do they prefer to go left, right, use their sword, or their shield. Then you need to plan to counter their action. If they move left and use their sword,  go right and have the shield ready but keep the sword in hand to get a jab in. if you can anticipate several moves based on what you learn in the recordings, you may actually become more advanced tactically than they are. They are looking for your weaknesses. Such as your wings, an injury – like your head right now. Your tendency to forget you have null rays or are a shoddy shot and hitting people in the stands. Or  - you can even use this to your advantage. Keep playing a strategy that does not reveal your true strengths, appear bumbling and succeeding on just 'dumb luck'.”

“They know you have null rays, and they know you got the sling shot. And they also know you will use a dagger in very close range. If you play to keep your strengths truly hidden, your superior intelligence, perhaps not seem as good as you actually are, you will then take a great many more by surprise when you reveal your self.”

“So be like Skywarp?” Starscream asked.

“Not quite that range. You'd have to find what suits you best. We know you are an intelligent person and you excel in all of your subjects. Your tests indicate you are a genius. There are some, particularly in the military, who will find your level of intellect, threatening. Skywarp is ideal as a soldier. Not overly bright, and will follow orders to the letter. You are likely to question them or outright do your own thing. Even Thundercracker here is a thinker and will question orders. I am not saying to act dumb, but to use what you know in a way that can gain you an advantage. And if you act in such a way to be perceived as less of a threat, you then can climb the ranks, maybe even to the very top. But the higher you go, the more cunning you must get.”

“I ask again, why are you so interested in my future... what is in it for you?”

Darkstar said nothing.

Riftwing put a datapad down after logging a small entry into it. “We may have to reassess the training due to Skywarp's interference. In the meantime, Darkstar, I suggest you train Starscream on his newly understood abilities and get him to speed with those. We can maintain the fundamental study of pain suppression via hubs. But we will not resume the torture simulations for the moment.”  Riftwing gave Starscream a glance over. “You've not sustained any apparent damage. Medical will get a copy of your readings just to be on the safe side. You can return to your barracks... Avoid murdering Skywarp please.”

As he slid out of his chair, Starscream glanced at his wingmate. The older Seeker nodded, indicating he would follow along. He slipped past the others then strode into the hall, he flicked his wings back and frowned deeply. Skywarp was in for it. He knew that he somehow had to get his wingmate back for the damage he did. The game was on.

Starscream realised that his best success tactic would to not let people know exactly how dangerous he was... they knew he was a 'weak scientist' perhaps let them believe he just had uncanny luck.

He smiled.

*  *  *