In the Decepticon brig, all gathered to gawk at the sight before them: a captured Autobot. Secured behind softly humming energy bars, the sound was an unpleasant reminder of what would happen if he attempted to escape.

While staring at their new prisoner was undoubtedly the best thing since pinning coils and flux rings, the uncanny behavior of a certain Decepticon leader and a habitually high-strung Air Commander was far more interesting and…strange. Megatron had ordered Starscream and the Seekers to steal energy from a nearby power plant; instead, Starscream had returned with an Autobot.

Turning to Starscream, optics locked on his subordinate, Megatron’s calm tone cut through the air.

“Brilliant, Starscream, this was absolutely brilliant…bringing this Autobot to me.”

Having picked up on the compliment, which was totally out of character for their leader, Thundercracker leaned over to Skywarp.

“Something’s wrong,” the blue Seeker whispered.

Skywarp nodded. “Yeah, one should be trying to kill the other. Or at the very least, Screamer should be a part of the wall right about now.” he whispered back.

Trying diligently to hide his surprise, Starscream stood waiting. Megatron’s praise was wholly unexpected. Verbal lashings were the necessities of enforcing discipline; shortcomings or not, the Decepticon leader’s words never came without a price. And Starscream had paid the price many times.

“Yes, Lord Megatron,” Starscream finally replied, unable to hide his customary arrogance from clinging to every syllable he uttered. “We’re so close to victory.”

Megatron smiled. Immediately, shrewd appraisal coursed through his processor. Starscream, you are almost too easy to manipulate. I know your ambitions. I’ll make sure you never pose a threat to me, he promised.

Starscream promptly returned the smile with one of his own. I am the future. All you do is live in the past. Soon, I will expose you for the failure you are and lead this army to victory, the Seeker envisaged.

As the inevitable clash of wills was eagerly anticipated, absolute shock ran through the room as the unimaginable happened right before them.

“Let’s have some energon while we celebrate in my ready room,” Megatron suggested, motioning for Starscream to follow him into the adjoining corridor.

Giving Soundwave a quick nod of approval, Megatron’s order was firm.

“Soundwave, take over.”

Megatron and Starscream turned and exited the brig, leaving behind a room full of stunned mechs. All were still trying to process what had just happened when a small voice from behind the energy bars broke through the confusion.

“So…when are they going to try to kill each other?” it innocently asked.

“Shut the frag up, Bluestreak!” a furious Rumble yelled at the captive, who seemed perplexed. Assuming he would win, Rumble took advantage of Bluestreak's ignorance and wagered Megatron would immediately give Starscream a sound thrashing for his failure to carry out orders. Instead, his bet with the prisoner had just been lost.