Transformers Prime: I am Allspark

"Lord Megatron? What are you doing here?" Barricade was puzzled by Megatron's presence in this location. He began to suspect that perhaps he had another plan in mind to force Starscream to talk.

Megatron observed Starscream's deteriorating condition, clinging to his own life with great difficulty, and even more clearly, his eyes reflected a strong murderous desire to exact revenge on his subordinate. "I must commend you for enduring so many hours of being punished by Barricade."

Starscream looked at Megatron with a bit of surprise and envy in his eyes; to see someone literally make a crazed beast like Barricade calm down like a simple dog with just his presence made him realize that Megatron was not someone to be underestimated. He had always been someone who craved power and respect, often fantasizing about being a king and ruling over all those he considered expendable, but to see Megatron rely solely on his presence to steal everyone's attention as a leader, commander, or king was practically a slap in the face.

"I have to say, I'm surprised you put a collar on this lunatic." Starscream looked at Barricade with contempt, taunting the officer even in his precarious condition.

"Do not think you have the right to insult my subordinates, insulting them is the same as insulting my honor, if you value your life, I suggest you keep your intrusive thoughts to yourself." Megatron looked seriously at Starscream, enveloped in an imposing aura that only a gladiator who has flirted with death so many times could have.

Starscream couldn't help but compare the feeling of Megatron's presence to that of Barricade. Barricade had a more violent, unstable, and aggressive aura, like a beast thirsting for violence in its most primitive form. Megatron's aura, however, had a more imposing, suffocating, and refined presence, as if his mere gaze were enough to crush anyone's will; it was not necessary to express the violence in his aura, it just needed to be sinister enough to show how inferior the other bots around it were.

"I apologize for the carelessness of my words, I am simply deeply impressed by your... leadership." Starscream knew he had to be more careful with his words, for unlike his torturer, he now had a real chance to use his smooth talk to survive this situation. "Now let's get down to business, it's quite obvious to me that you want something from me, so a deal that leaves both parties on equal terms is quite possible."

"Do not think you have the right to negotiate." Barricade said quickly, knowing that criminals like Starscream will do anything to escape justice.

"I'm trying to have a civil conversation here, you brute!" Starscream could not contain his anger at Barricade. "I know what you want! I can give you what you need, but I want to join you in return."

Megatron knew there was a good chance Starscream would try to negotiate a deal so he could survive, but he never imagined he would ask to become a Decepticon, which actually surprised him, but he easily hid it. "You want to be a Decepticon? Very bold for someone in your position." 

Starscream smiled inwardly, although Megatron expressed no surprise, he now had some of his true attention and curiosity, which meant he had a real chance to take advantage of the situation and use his greatest asset, his intelligence.

"You want me to leak all the information about organized crime in Crystal City, but of course that would make me a traitor or a weak link who cannot be trusted. I admit I am an opportunist, but I am not a fool."

"Exactly, so why would I want you to be one of my Decepticons?" Megatron asked, curious how Starscream was trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage.

"That's the thing, I've never really felt any loyalty to those spoiled brats who just use money to bribe the cops and do whatever they want. They live a lie every day that makes even me sick." Starscream explained with a little truth in his voice. "These idiots claim to be in control of their own lives, but they're so blind and stupid they don't even realize they're being controlled by the government itself! They think they're the leeches, but it's the government that benefits from the false vision of freedom they've cultivated."

Megatron still maintained an expressionless composure, but he could not deny that he was interested in the way Starscream spoke, it was interesting how he spoke the truth in his words, but at the same time he did not hide a certain disdain and contempt for those he once directly helped.

"I admit that I became what I am just to have an advantage in life, who wouldn't do that in my position? I would rather live a life knowing I am being manipulated than live in the ignorance of false freedom. I've survived my entire life by slipping through the cracks in the system and manipulating arrogant idiots. You need bots like me, someone who can always come up with an idea that will break and weaken the enemy."

"Are you willing to work for those who put you in this position? Why do you think I would accept such a proposal with the risk of betrayal?"

"It is the most obvious answer! You are not under the control of the government, your chains are not pulled by them, but by you." Starscream looked at Megatron and grinned slightly. "You have practically broken the gears of this system. I would rather live under the orders of someone who is honest with himself than under the control of politicians who pretend to be something they are not."

"Interesting conclusion, but what if my Decepticons were nothing more than a way to get me into politics? What if everything I'm doing is nothing more than one big manipulation scheme?" Megatron couldn't resist asking, wanting to know how Starscream would respond to his question, which was a trap designed to test his intelligence.

"If your ideology is a farce, then why create an army?" Starscream replied with a sneer, knowing it was risky to go down this road, but it was the most viable option. "You don't want a democratic debate, you want to impale their heads on a stake and parade them through the streets for all to see. You can pretend to be an optimistic person who makes lofty speeches that stir the populace, but your hatred is real. What you are doing and will do is too real to be just an act. That's why you have so many admirers, because everyone feels that your speeches are not false, they carry their anger and frustration, that's why many bots sympathize with your ideological cause."

Megatron was now more impressed by Starscream's words, he was someone whose actions were easy to predict, it was clear that he was someone who only cared about himself, so he would be easy to control. However, the way he was able to see what he really was like, his intentions, was something rare, not even Orion Pax could clearly see what he was feeling. Though risky, having Starscream at his disposal would be more advantageous in the long run.

"Very well Starscream, you are not a fool after all." Megatron said, putting his hands behind his back. "Let's see how you really perform."

Starscream smiled in spite of the absurd pain in his body, even though he knew that working with the Decepticons was like playing with fire, it was something that would easily make his life more advantageous if he could gain even the slightest bit of Megatron's trust.

Starscream bowed with difficulty, feeling his aching joints almost tear with pain. "So... Master, how may I serve you?"