Blasted mudball

As Starscream was setting up his patrol and looking on the frequency, something strange happened. At first it was quiet, with the occasional bit of static. However, on occasion there was a chirping and whirring sound over comms. Less a person and more like a mechanical animal, seeming to call out on the occasion with a rather unsettling set of chirps and whirrs.. It didn't seem to be hailing the seeker themselves...rather, they were communicating with another. Then, as quickly as it came, the sounds vanished. Unsettling as it was, it was one of the few signs that something was out there.

Time would pass and things seemed to go by uneventfully during the patrol. However, on the way, Starscream would be able to hear that sound again, this time far more clearly. It wasn't coming from the frequency this time, sounding off a good distance away as the being chirpped and whirred. The sound of metal pitter pattering sounded off, Starscream being able to catch sight of something dash through the bushes. Whatever it was, it wasn't human or organic.

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The drone had been separated from its pack a few good paces, its master having sent it off scouting. However, energon signatures were nearby. Creator gave orders, and orders must be followed. However as they got close, they noticed it: this energon moved! It was not rock, it was metal! Quickly, the drone skittered through the bushes, hoping to avoid detection and get a better look. Examining them, they could clearly see now that they were Cybertronian. Much like creator, but smaller...and punier. How did they survive out here? Did they not know organic monster-foes lurked about? Climbing up a tree for a moment, the four legged drone would point a single optic towards the seeker, climbing up one of the trees for a moment. The creature would step out from the bushes for a moment, calling to its kindred: It had found another!

Starscream would quickly hear the sound again, this time a sporadic set of chirps that came in threes. It came from the bush to his side, then to the bush on his left. Finally, the same sounds could be heard in the distance, as if in response. Whether Scream recognized the drones model or not, they certainly had found them. The servo sized drone whirring and keening as if in some form of unhinged excitement.

Bombardier had been doing his usual patrols through the day, trying to find whatever resources or potential allies he could on this beautiful but hostile planet. Humming to himself a tune from the land

He had come rather close to G.H.O.S.T earlier on, as well as a human…he had no plans to continue that trend if he could help it. Recently, he had run low on energon and he needed to find more. Sure, he could siphon it with a converter but…it just wasn’t the same. Faux Energon wasn’t as fulfilling, and he needed every bit of energy he could get.

He was just about to turn to explore another part of his path when he received a rather interesting alert: seems one of his drones had come across…something. It was the prototype drone who had found it.

“Hmm? Now just what have they found now?”



He spoke up, exasperated over the prototypes antics before pulling up the holo screen within his cockpit, cocking a metaphorical eyebrow at the signature. Seemed to be a…Cybertronian? Bombardier stopped his reverie for the moment, ordering the rest of his drones to follow and converge on the bots position. The signature was a familiar one but he couldn’t be too sure. Flying towards the signature, he would observe before moving in: he’d see to this himself.

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At the sound of Starscreams shriek, the drone seemed to make a sound that was akin to a laugh, chirping and standing up on its legs as tall as it could…it wasn’t much. However at the sight of the gun though, they did grow a bit defensive, getting low and pointing their singular optic toward them, flowing a bright orange instead of the purple. Upon closer inspection, one could see it was Cybertronian, but had small bits of earth technology involved. Namely, it’s legs that it used to crawl: they weren’t anything purely Cybertronian. Though, considering it was more their own tech rather than humans tech, it was not exactly a human drone using Cybertronian tech…rather, it could be said that it was the other way around. One detail that could be seen though on this drone in particular was a faded red star along its flank, where a bit of playing was protecting a portion of their body. Seems they had to use another machine to repair themselves at some point.


The drone seemed to return to its curious state when Starscream lowered its weapon, speaking in that chirping tongue again. It gave the cube a cocked look at first, approaching and then backing off. It seemed more akin to an animal than any of the casseticons, yet still had some intelligence. Approaching closer and closer, the drone would suddenly manifest a tendril from its body, latching onto the energon cube and dragging it close, scanning it with his optic before setting it down on the ground. Seemed they liked it! Batting it around with their limb a bit, they would use their limb to bat it around, getting it into position before subsuming it, absorbing the energon cube somehow. A very odd drone, they were.

However, seems that the commotion has attracted the attention of more of the buggers, as Starscream would hear the sounds of similar drones approaching from their flank, 4 optics staring up at them from the bushes and whirring…along with the sound of a jet up above. The star blazoned drone would seem to let out and excited noise, unintelligible at first but one would get the idea behind its sound, calling for its creator.



As if the drones heralded their arrival, Starscream would be able to spot the visage of a large bomber jet roaring towards them, flying over head before landing a few good feet away, landing amidst the trees and foliage with a loud BOOM!

Landing a good few feet away from Starscream, drones scattering around and standing nearby the massive bot, Bombardier stood over Starscream, wings spread out like that of a condor, nearly blocking out the sun and casting the seeker in a deep shadow.

Orange optics burned through their great helm, the only thing visible of their face from behind the mask covering them. Bombardier have a good look at the seeker, scanning them up and down for a moment before speaking up inquisitively.

“Wait…Starscream is-is that you? Or is this some organic trick?” They spoke up, still standing tall. The decepticon war smith was now clearly seen, their wings slightly lowering so they could let some sunlight in, shining on their ruddy features. Bombardier had seen better days, the bomber holding his halberd at the ready. The decepticon bomber towered over them, wings long enough to encircle the both of them.

Bombardier gave pause for a moment, gazing down to the smaller seeker with those piercing orange optics. One could say it felt like he was looking into their spark. One might have been able to notice that the bomber had their Halberd out, the weapon large enough to cleave a bot in half if needed. However, for now, it remained up right, the decepticon using it as a makeshift walking stick.

The drones that had once been heralding his arrival and scooting around Starscream began to fall in line, climbing around to stand alongside or float around Bombardier. That confirmed he was at least a known figure to the drones. Looking down to the drone that had ate up the cube, Bombardier let out a low sigh before kneeling down to pick them up, letting the drone crawl about his arm before hopping on one of his shoulders. Bombardier spoke after, exasperated with the drones antics before giving his own reply.

"No, it would only be me. That and the drones I have here...but we have managed to live off of Faux energon for a while and what reserves we could find. Still, it would be appreciated if there was more of the proper stock, rather than resorting to conversion processes for such an endeavor." Bombardier replied, drones shuffling around and huddling near where Bombardier stood. His wings seemed to ease a bit, lowering and retracting to his sides as the threat of a fight dwindled. Bombardier still was wary, considering this was Starscream...but at the same time, they were both fugitives now. Besides, he might have what he needed for his project. Along with a face that wasn't one he created.

"What I need more is information...seems like a life time ago before we last met. I had thought most of our kindred were lost in that final fight and scramble." Bombardier remarked, giving the drone on his shoulder room to move around as it adjusted its position. Seems like it enjoyed being taller than Starscream now, the little drone blinking its optic and humming softly. The other drones were far less excitable, simply either standing around or scanning the area out of habit.

"Tell me: How many of us are left? At least, those that have managed to escape the clutches of the treacherous humans and the Autobots. I had been trying to find survivors myself but have had not much luck. No luck in contacting what forces I had off world either." Bombardier remarked, with a small bit of venom laden for the Autobots and Humans in particular. Just how long had Bombardier been on the run?

Starscream would be partially correct, as he had not much energon scavenged from where he had been holed up. Having fled far to the east during the first few years of the schism, he had been surviving mainly on converted faux energon and what supplies he could acquire. It was not much but it had kept him alive and his mind somewhat sharp. As for the drones, he had managed to scavenge from old decepticon outposts as well as the odd abandoned facility run by the humans. One place in particular was a treasure trove of scrap and arms: tanks, metal, wiring, the works. Despite their bare sentience, the drones were rather tough, and built to last amidst the cold weather and against oncoming force. He had already seen it prove itself against the elements.


Bombardier listened intently as Starscream spoke, his optics narrowing slightly at the mention of a price. He had expected that nothing in this world, especially in the midst of such chaos, came without a cost. He had already experienced the harsh realities of this existence firsthand. Especially without the Decepticon cause backing him, he now must barter his life and his creations whenever necessary. However, Starscream, despite his seemingly welcome demeanor at first, was far from the most trusting of the cause. Especially considering his attempts of taking control.

"What price would you ask of me, Starscream?" Bombardier asked, his tone cautious but not unfriendly. He needed information and proper energon, and if providing something in return was the way to get it, he was willing to entertain the offer. Hearing how his fellow allies were either mind controlled or forced into some sort of gladiator pit only made the bomber tighten his grip on the halberd he bore. Starscream might have been able to pick up on his anger to the current situation the humans...no, what Megatron had put the cause through. Easing up his grip and calming himself, he was ready to hear out the former second in commands offer.

As the two were going through their negotiations, the drones had not exactly been idle. The one that initially encountered Starscream, the one emblazoned with a red star, was busy playing around with a very nice looking rock. Bombardiers landing had upended rock, plant, and limb, the drone batting the rock about with its limbs like a cat. As for the other drones, they were in their own business, some staring up at Starscream with their singular optics, others patrolling around the duo and scanning the area. Seems even when preoccupied, his drones were hard at work.

Bombardier was indeed held captive...though he wasn't much for the dramatics. He'd met a few like Starscream in his time before the war: they talked a big game, told wild stories, and cajoled with their fellows. Some were hard workers, who fought to survive and work with the devices he had to endure. Others...well, they were turned to scrap after failure. However, regardless of how he viewed his antics, it was far better than being in a prison. He hated to admit it, but Starscream could certainly weave his words together better than anyone he knew, himself included.

When told the price, Bombardier pondered for a moment, stroking where his chin would be on his great mask, the bomber crouching down to meet Starscreams eye level.

"Hmm, I'd have thought you knew well enough what I and my forces could do...but it has been a long while." Kneeling down proper, his ember eyes pierced into Starscreams own, seeming like gateways to the pits compared to the energon blue of the seeker. "Very well, if what you say is true, then I shall oblige this once."

Bombardier would clear his throat, sitting down proper to relax his pedes, halberd leaning against his shoulder as he spoke. "My forces offworld were tasked with securing footholds across key planets and systems, building fortifications and laying the foundation for Decepticon rule later on. Megatron had sought a new Golden age for Cybertron, and to do that, he need places for his forces to gather and a way to break both the autobots and those who stood against him. Our division served such a purpose. Whether it was to support and protect supply lines and key points with fortified defense to shattering the defenses of Autobot strongholds. Our most recent orders were to maintain a foothold for other Decepticons to come and go. However, a long time has passed since then...but I do not doubt that they still lie out there, defending and maintaining a foothold. Whatever their numbers might be. Builders and Siege warriors in equal measure, they were."

Bombardier shifted in his spot, placing a servo on his chest before continuing. "And I was their marshal and banner. However, while my body is made for combat and resilience through and through, do not take it to mean that my mind is not sharp. I am also an engineer in my own right. Some have deigned to call me Warsmith...though that hardly matters now. My expertise lie in engineering and creating, as far back as my days before the movement. "

He would point to Starscreams wings, particularly to some of the missile emplacements. "In fact, I believe you might have even used some of my creations. Missiles, armor plating, blasters, and even work on space bridges, it is all a puzzle for my servos to work and my mind to decipher. Megatron saw fit that I serve equally as commander and engineer, creator and destroyer. However, Megatron has long since abandoned us...and now my servos have been able to serve only myself."

Bombardier leaned in, getting a good look into Starscreams optics as his finished is speech. "If these reasons are not enough for you, then I will not fault you. However, rest assured...put your faith in my mettle and my works, and you shall have both a shield and the sword to which we may stand against these dark times. Whether it be in your servos or mine."