Chapter Text
"I apologize if I lose control over my EM field, especially now that I'm aboard the Nemesis . It's an absolutely gorgeous ship, my Lord, and I may fawn over it a bit!” They had been walking the halls of the Nemesis for a few kliks, likely headed toward where he was to brief High Command on literally everything about his life.
"It seems it is true that you are a new build, as your field gives off a sense of naivety and ignorance consistent with that of young age.” Stardust didn't take offense to what Megatron had said, as not only was it true, but it was actually very difficult to offend or piss him off, even when he was human. The easiest way to do so is to threaten someone he cares about -which is a very small pool-, like Starscream did on the bridge. Instead of answering Megatron himself, Shockwave had cut in from his position behind Stardust.
"I have been working with Stardust to strengthen his control over his EM field, as well as training him in servo-to-servo combat and weapons training. His control slips occasionally, but he has made considerable advancements these last two orbital cycles.” Stardust tried to keep his pride and bashfulness out of both his field and frame. He wasn't Starscream and refused to preen at the slightest of praise.
“Yes, I'm sure Stardust is every bit the warrior you say he is. Though I fail to see how a human masquerading as a Cybertornian can be of any use on the battlefield.” Stardust understood the Commander's doubts, having his own about his current skill level. Though, he wasn't fond of the distaste the seeker clearly has for his existence.
“I assure you, Commander, I have no delusions about my skills. While I have a grasp of the basic concepts of combat, I am by no means a warrior . If I went up against anybot at my current skill level, I am sure to lose. An inadequacy I fully intend to remedy.” Stardust looked over his shoulder at Starscream who was walking behind Megatron, offering the Commander the friendliest smile he could manage, to which the SIC sneered at. Stardust's attention was brought back to Megatron beside him, and he tried not to stare as the warlord had his servos behind his back while he walked, a posture the triple changer had always seen as attractive.
“You have integrity, a quality quite uncommon amongst my troops.” Stardust smiled, keeping his attention on Megatron, which he was grateful he did as the warlord turned right down another corridor and Stardust was able to keep pace with him without embarrassing himself by colliding with the former gladiator.
“The most important and attractive quality one can have is loyalty, and I am a firm believer that you cannot have loyalty without honesty.” Megatron hums.
“Well said, young one. I am certain you will be a fine addition to my ranks.” The Decepticon leader stopped at a door and activated the controls before gesturing for Stardust to enter.
“After you.” Stardust smiled and gave a slight bow before entering the room. He knew that Megatron was a gentlemech, but he also knew that this was not an act of chivalry but rather of tactic and caution. He still wasn't completely trusted yet, and he knew it would be like this for some time. He entered the room followed by the entirety of High Command and the medical staff. The room looked like a conference room with a large table, chairs, and a holo projector in the center of the table. This must be their current war room, though this one, unlike the one back at the citadel, was devoid of scorch marks.
Everybot took their seats while Stardust stood near the head of the table by Megatron’s chair but off to the side, arms behind his back.
“Let us get started. Shockwave, I assume you have the datapad with you?”
“Yes, Lord Megatron.” The scientist pulled the pad from his subspace and started to tap at it. Whatever he did had it connected to the holo projector and it displayed the tablet's contents showing that Shockwave already had the show pulled up to the episode ‘One Shall Fall’. This was the episode that had gotten partially cut off, and all episodes following were corrupted.
“This is the episode that was partially damaged, so we will begin here.”
“These are the events involving the upcoming planetary alignment, correct?” Megatron had turned his helm to Stardust, expecting an answer from him instead of Shockwave.
“Yes, sir. At least, the start of it. I'm sure negotiations with the Autobots have happened differently than how they would have, as you are about to see. I would like to warn you, even though it doesn't make a difference,” Stardust’s faceplate screwed up a little, enough to be noticed, “Unicron is an aft.” Knock Out snickered, but the sound was ignored as Megatron gestured to Shockwave with his servo.
“Proceed.” Shockwave did so, pressing play and the episode begins with Optimus reciting the prophecy then moves into the Autobots conversing about said prophecy. Stardust kept to his self appointed post, watching the members of High Command. There isn't a fan alive that wouldn't be curious about a character's reaction to their own show, and Stardust was a little more than just curious. He needed to keep an optic out for their reactions to ascertain whether what he knew about their personalities and nuances were correct. He had an advantage over his new comrades, in such that he knows them better then they know him, and he is hoping to keep that advantage for as long as he can.
It was after Knock Out's line ‘Out there, Lord Megatron, just waiting for you to reach out and pluck it!’ and the resulting look on Megatron 's faceplate that was 100% done , that Stardust couldn't hide a smirk, though he was able to get it under control before anybot noticed. Megatron had the best facial expressions of the entire franchise, and Stardust's favorites where his 'bitch, please’, 'why is this my life?’, and 'I'm so fucking done’ expressions.
The Autobot base was next, and Ratchet's laugh and following horrified look at the fact that he laughed got another snicker out of Knock Out, Breakdown joining him. Fowler’s call about Soundwave’s presence at the particle collider was next, and while the Autobots knew of their enemies intentions, it seems they still went forward with the negotiations and were kept unaware of exactly when Airachnid tunneled in to steal their required power source. The events they were watching unfold on the screen were altered already, and Stardust could only imagine how trippy it must be for the bots involved to watch what could have happened. Stardust didn’t know how negotiations went, and he didn’t need to know so he refrained from asking.
It was interesting to see the High Command’s reactions to Megatron’s fight with Optimus, as they don’t really get the chance to actually observe Megatron fighting since they are usually in the midst of a fight themselves. Stardust could see the small smirk on Starscream’s face when Megatron started to get his aft kicked. He had to hold back from growling at the SIC, though he didn’t need to hold back for long considering how Megatron turned the fight around and Starscream’s smirk was replaced by a scowl. The episode was quickly finished, and Shockwave started the next without a word. Stardust realized he was getting to see Megatron’s reaction to content he hadn't seen yet, and he was getting to see it live, this prospect excited him more than he thought it would.
When they got to Megatron’s audience with Unicron, Stardust had a feeling he knew the reaction they would have to it, at least a certain mech’s reaction. He watched Starscream like a hawk, and could see the gears in his processor turning. The moment that Megatron got on his knees and practically begged, another smirk came over Starscream’s face and this time, Stardust couldn’t hold back a low rumble. Nobot seemed to hear it over Unicron’s booming voice and the real Megatron’s own growl, but Starscream seemed to sense he was being watched as he turned his helm left and right till his optics found Stardust’s. His expression turned from confusion to anger, and Stardust easily matched him, even baring his fanged denta in a silent snarl. Stardust’s intentions were made abundantly clear that Starscream was not to take advantage of whatever weakness he perceived Megatron to be showing on screen. The look that crossed Starscream’s faceplate was that of shock and what may have even been fear or trepidation. His optics glitched out for a nanoklik before they immediately turned back to the show, almost sheepish. He avoided Stardust’s optics for the rest of the viewing.
The end of part one of ‘One Shall Rise’ is finished quickly and Shockwave begins part two, starting off with Optimus’ solo fight against the mini Unicrons. There was an appreciative sound from Knock Out at the way Optimus fought that, judging by his terrified look afterward, he thought nobot heard, but Stardust gave him a smirk as Megatron growled in annoyance at the medic.
“Sorry, My Liege.” The red bot was ignored as they continued watching the show. When Optimus said ‘Because Megatron’s pride would never allow anyone other than himself to rule this planet’ Megatron hummed in thought.
“I see.” Stardust could hear both recognition and even resolve in Megatron’s voice, though he doubts any other bot could distinguish those qualities to his timber, except maybe Soundwave who tilted his helm toward their leader before looking back to the screen. They watched in silence until they got to the part where Airachnid said ‘I believe we must consider the possibility of a future without Megatron’ and the real warlord growled with a turn of his helm toward Airachnid. Her optics were wide, her jaw slack, and she was quick to defend herself.
“That hasn’t happened, My Lord! I would never say such a thing!”
“Oh? Clearly, you would, as we just witnessed. There is far too much evidence to support the validity of this… show that my dear informant,” Megatron waved a servo in Stardust’s direction, “has so graciously provided us. Consider this a warning, Airachnid, should you so choose to act upon your obvious disloyalty, I will remove your… additional limbs.” Stardust felt his spark swell, and briefly felt his EM field expand in smug pride but he quickly reigned it in, grateful he had chosen to station himself far enough from the table that nobot felt it. Airachnid growled and turned to glare ato Stardust who only gave her a smirk, absolutely not caring what the femme thought of him since he despised her with a passion.
The remainder of the episode was spent in mostly silence, though there were some snickers here and there when the Autobots did or said something foolish, or when Miko had her ‘I don’t fear the most dangerous being in the universe so I’m gonna scream a threat at him’ moment. Megatron seemed slightly surprised when Optimus flat out lied to Jack about the key to Vector Sigma.
“Optimus Prime, lying?” Megatron turned his helm to Stardust who nodded.
“The one and only time he does that I am aware of. Given the… gravity of the situation, it is understandable, though also unnecessary considering the human does not know what Vector Sigma is and thus could not have known the significance of the gesture.” Megatron hums and turns back to the screen just as Unicron’s optic cycles and the episode ends.
“Vector Sigma? It exists?” Despite their earlier stare down, Stardust gives Starscream a nod, his earlier hostility not shown on his faceplates.
“It does, and what Optimus just gave Jack was the key to Vector Sigma. The entrance of which is actually located right under the ring at the Gladiatorial Arena in Kaon.” Megatron puts his servo to his chin, his elbow resting on the armrest of his larger chair - basically a throne.
“So, every match I won was done so upon the entrance to Vector Sigma.” The warlord chuckled with a smirk, the same one that always seemed to make Stardust’s insides flutter when he was human, but now made his spark flutter instead.
“How very fitting.” The third part of ‘One Shall Rise’ was continuing to play, and everybot turned their attention back to watch Ratchet and Fowler verbally go at it until Ratchet started to explain Optimus and Megatron’s past. A certain hue of red took over Megatron’s optics at the sight of Orion Pax and his own past explained. Stardust wasn’t sure what that meant, but he felt a tug on his spark, one that felt like it was trying to jump out of his chassis toward the warlord. Ratchet’s explanation always pissed Stardust off, and listening to it now, he couldn’t help but growl at the insanely vague iteration. Most bots in the room actually turned to Stardust, seeing the mech glaring at the far wall.
“Something the matter, Stardust?” The triple changer looked over at his new Master, locking optics with him, his glare immediately dissipating.
“I have always felt myself angered at Ratchet’s explanation, no matter how many times I hear it. One of the attributes of the Autobots that always managed to piss me off the most was how… closed minded and one-sided their views are. While Ratchet may be depicting Optimus’ side of the story with a fair amount of accuracy, his verbiage makes you look like you started this war over something as simple and childish as jealousy over not being chosen first. The reality is far more rooted in the functionalist society and the unfair and unjust caste system created by the original Primes that spanned a multitude of centuries.” Stardust expanded his EM field to showcase the sincerity of his words, and noticed Shockwave tilt his helm at it, though he didn’t say anything. Megatron himself was quiet for a moment, simply watching Stardust as the show continued and eventually moved on to the fight with Unicron’s antibodies. He wanted to look away, Primus he really wanted to watch that fight, the way Megatron moves and his prowess always makes him shiver, but he was ensnared by the warlord’s optics boring into his soul. His vents hitched at the calculating tilt of Megatron’s helm, the slightly brighter glow of his optics, the faint curiosity and calculation he felt coming from the mech’s EM field.
This was Megatron regarding him with deep thought. He wasn’t angry, upset, pissed, annoyed, or anything of the sort that he would show toward Starscream or some of his other troops, he was showing interest and curiosity toward him. Having his optics on him for this long was making him feel a little warm, especially when they started to move over his frame, lingering longer than they had when he had done the same on the bridge. He didn’t speak, only finishing his visual analysis with a hum and turning back to the screen. Stardust shivered and found Shockwave’s optic from across the room. He may be completely expressionless but Stardust could tell the scientist was feeling smug about the exchange considering what he knows and Stardust just pouted at him.
Airachnid’s speech on the bridge and Soundwave’s resulting display of ‘putting her in her place’ was the next event to air, and Megatron gave a pleased sound.
“Very good, Soundwave. I can always trust my loyal Third in Command to keep the masses in line.” Airachnid growled, but Soundwave ignored her, only continuing to watch the screen. Stardust did not like seeing Megatron in pain, ever, and would even turn the show off at the last episode so he didn’t have to watch his death, and when he saw the warlord struggling on screen due to Unicron attempting to get him to terminate Optimus, he felt unsettled. When Unicron took over Megatron’s frame and rose up after Megatron had fallen offline, the real Megatron sat forward in his seat with a growl.
“He dares to take control of my frame?! Such insolence!” He growled again as he watched Optimus practically extinguish Unicron’s spark, but surprise was evident in the room when Optimus said ‘Where are we Megatronus?’.
“So, Optimus will lose his memory.” It was a statement, not a question, and Megatron had kept his optics on the screen, so Stardust figured he wasn’t speaking to him this time, so he kept quiet. Optimus, now Orion, went through the groundbridge, followed my Megatron and the warlord gave a curious hum.
“What an interesting turn.” The end of the episode was followed with Starscream turning to Stardust, though he still refused to make optic contact, instead looking at his shoulder pauldron.
“It has not escaped my notice that I have been absent from these… episodes.” Stardust didn’t answer, as it wasn’t his place considering his betrayal being the reason. Megatron stood from his place at the head of the table, Shockwave pausing before starting the next episode.
“That is not important, and you will be filled in on your whereabouts when I deem it necessary. Now, the planetary alignment is projected to happen within the next solar cycle. We will continue reviewing these files after Unicron is dealt with.”
“Lord Megatron, if I may?” Megatron turned to Stardust and gave him a nod.
“When you bring Optimus back to the Nemesis , you put him to work decoding the Iacon database. The entries in the database are all sets of coordinates, except the last one which is an image, and those coordinates will be shown on screen during the show. They lead to relics carried by the original Primes, Decepticon weapons of mass destruction, and, more importantly, the Omega Keys. Having Orion decode the database wouldn’t be necessary as these files will give you access to them.”
“Interesting. Are you telling me to spare Optimus from becoming a Decepticon?”
“No, sir. Merely trying to save you time and give you an edge against the Autobots. You knew Orion better than anybot here, so you are best suited for ascertaining whether he would be valuable to your cause or not, given that he is no longer required to crack the Iacon database.” Megatron narrowed his optics as he stepped around the table and up to Stardust, studying him again.
“You have been genuine and forthcoming with me since you first contacted the Nemesis , so I will give you the benefit of the doubt. However, if I discover that your intentions are to keep Optimus safe and out of my servos, then your punishment will be severe.” Megatron was caught off guard when Stardust just smiled at him, his wings perking up a little.
“Then I am lucky that I am being honest with you, My Liege, as it will save me from that punishment.” Megatron quickly gathered himself, humming with a small smirk before he moved toward the door of the war room.
“Very well. Shockwave, your old lab has not been touched since you were torn from my ranks, and I trust you remember your way around. Knock Out, a
full
check up is in order for our new recruit, do not leave any cable or wiring unexamined. Starscream and Soundwave, see to it that Stardust is given his own quarters, a map of the ship, and a full tour of the facilities available to him. I must prepare to meet with the Autobots as it seems I have a Prime to save.” Everybot in the room gave a slight bow to their leader as he left, except Soundwave who is probably the only bot who can get away with
not
doing that.