Follow up to "Dreams": Part 1

[rosieknight]

Title: Desperate Times, Desperate Measures: Part 1
Author: RosieKnight
Characters: Ensemble
Pairing: Megatron/Optimus Prime, and others - too numerous to list
Rating: Let's start with PG-13 for now.
Universe: G1 with elements of IDW for Megatron's past.
Disclaimer: Not mine
Summary: An energy crisis forces the Decepticons to seek peace with the Autobots, but the treaty holds an unexpected clause. For the treaty to be valid, Megatron and Optimus Prime must marry.
Warning: Mech/Mech and Mech/Femme relationships. Cliffhanger, because it's the first section of a WIP.

Notes: Follow up to Dreams. Any ideas for titles will be appreciated and considered. Thank you, drharper!



Megatron sat alone in his darkened quarters of the Nemesis, replaying the memory file of his most recent communication with Shockwave. When had the situation deteriorated so much, and so quickly?

As much as he'd love to blame the Autobots, the energy crisis had loomed in the future for nearly his entire existence.

The war had merely accelerated matters, until both sides believed new, off-world sources of energy were required.

Pit, the original mission of the Ark was to search out new sources of energon!

Four million years ago, both sides had foolishly believed that the crisis point had arrived.

They were wrong.

The crisis point was now.

Megatron frowned, thoughtfully. He knew the actions he must take, but one variable out of place would shatter the Decepticon forces and doom more than just his men. The easiest way to deal with this variable was to confront it directly - no secrets this time - and force his troops to understand the choice he made.

And to do that, he needed to talk to Starscream.

Suiting deed to thought, Megatron stood and slid aside the door to his quarters.

Starscream was the Officer On Duty for the bridge, and - never missing a chance to lord over his subordinates - would be there.

Arriving on the bridge, Megatron spotted the Air Commander through the murky lighting of power-save mode. The other mech - for once not ranting about Megatron's supposed flaws - was listening to Soundwave's report on the status of the floating solar panels.

"Starscream," Megatron interrupted, "My ready room, now."

"As you command, Lord Megatron," the Seeker ground out.

Gesturing for the other mech to precede him, Megatron headed to and entered the ready room. "I received a message from Shockwave today," Megatron spoke quietly. "I want you to watch it."

The screen centered on Shockwave's single optic. "Lord Megatron," the image intoned. "I regret to inform you that this shall be my last communication. Neither I nor Cybertron have the energy to spare for another. The energy crisis on Cybertron has reached a critical point. Without additional supplies, every Decepticon remaining on Cybertron shall enter stasis lock from lack of energon in the next orn. Three orns after that, our sparks shall fade. And within a human "decade", Cybertron itself will die." The purple mech paused, "All possible energy sources and reductions have been exploited: Both moons are lifeless, the space-bridge is deactivated, and any engergon stockpiled by the Autobot femmes was consumed long ago." Again Shockwave paused, seemingly fighting to remain logical, "As always, Lord Megatron, I put our future in your hands. Shockwave... and Cybertron out."

A long moment stretched in silence as Starscream stared at the now blank screen, optics wide.

"Did he send anything else?" the seeker finally demanded, minute tremors running through his fingers.

Megatron ignored the sign of suppressed emotions. Drawing attention to the imperfectly concealed feelings would put Starscream on the defensive and make the whole situation exponentially more difficult than it already was. Instead, the Decepticon Lord brought up a highly compressed file, "Only this file filled with his observations, analysis, and conclusions about the energy crisis. I may not be a scientist, but Shockwave's graphs and charts are distressingly clear."

Starscream snorted, "I'll be the judge of that. Shockwave does make the occasional mistake."

Megatron allowed the Seeker time to study the gathered information.

The Air Commander's wings noticeably drooped in resignation as Starscream read. He looked up, meeting Megatron's optics. "My lord," Starscream began formally, "I can find no errors in Shockwave's evidence. Cyberton and the Decepticons stationed there are doomed."

"I see," Megatron's tone was quiet, subdued. He hadn't expected Starscream to find any errors in Shockwave's work.

"Well, I don't," fueled by distressed, Starscream lashed out at Megatron - the nearest target for his emotions. "Why did you show me that?"

Megatron marshaled his thoughts, "Because I need your support. What I'm planning is risky enough without having to deal with your constant attempts to seize control of the Decepticons. Any in-fighting between the two of us will destroy not only Cybertron, but the Decepticons as well - and with them, any hope of you supplanting me." Megatron relentlessly continued, "The facts speak plainly for themselves. We will not receive any re-enforcements from Cybertron, due to the situation there. Nor, do we have the resources to alleviate the energy crisis there. Our own energon supplies are dangerously low. Between the failed raids and the damaged solar panels, we don't have enough energy to properly power the Nemesis, let alone send some to Cybertron. Even if the solar panels were functioning at full efficiency, we'd barely have enough energon stockpiled for a medical emergency." The Decepticon Lord audibly cycled air through his vents, "And, none of our forces stationed through out the galaxy are able to or close enough to Earth or Cybertron to arrive in time to make a difference."

Starscream arrogantly nodded, "True enough. But what does that have to do with me?"

"I'm getting there, Starscream," Megatron didn't bother to keep his exhaustion hidden, annoyed by the other mech's condescending tone. "So within four orns, we assigned to the Nemesis will be the only Decepticons on Earth, with no hope for re-enforcements or a lasting change in our energy situation." Throwing the smaller mech a significant look, Megatron commented, "And here's where the state of our forces becomes significant. We know our status, what of the Autobots'? How will they be in four orns?"

"I'd imagine that they'd be the same as they are now. Rested, energized, and... with... almost... all... of their forces.... I think I understand the problem, sir."

Megatron flashed a grim smile, the reality of their situation was clearly sinking into the seeker's mind, "You forgot to add 'battle-hardened' and 'familiar with our tactics' to their list of advantages." The smile melted away, leaving Megatron's visage grimmer than Starscream had seen it in vorns, "To be brutally honest, I can only see three endings to this. One, we continue as we are now and get destroyed or captured and executed for our actions one by one, until no Decepticons remain. Two, inner-faction fighting accelerates the first possibility by weakening the survivors of such a slaughter - of which you would not be included. Three, and most repellent in the short term, we make peace with the Autobots to end this destructive conflict and restore order to the galaxy." The Decepticon Lord stared straight into his subordinate's optics, "You once agreed to follow me into the Pit and back. Will you follow me on a path much more treacherous? Will you help me save the Decepticons from our own destruction?"

Starscream was silent for a long moment, pride warring with survival instincts. "What do you need me to do, Lord Megatron?"

The answer came swiftly, "I will not lie to you, Starscream. What I need you to do now will be probably the most difficult thing of your career. I need you to support me when I announce making a peace treaty with the Autobots."

"What?! Megaton, are you serious?!" the Seeker's shrill voice rent the air.

Megatron's reply was quiet, "Deadly serious. All other paths lead to our destruction." Ruby optics shone with an inner flame, as Megatron's vocal intensity grew, "I will not stand by and allow our accomplishments to fall to dust, as a rusty relic of Cybertronian history. We broke the old, unjust world. I say we have a right and a duty to help rebuild it, better than before. To do otherwise will prove our nay-sayers, the very mechs and femmes who unthinkingly crushed us underfoot before, correct." Suddenly, volume draining from his voice, Megatron held out an a inviting hand, "And so I ask again: Are you with me, Starscream?"

Megatron once inspired a revolution with his words. Despite the vorns of their association, Starscream - still reeling from the earlier revelations - was not immune to Megatron's charisma. The Seeker's hand, almost of its own volition, rose towards his leader's. It halted, just short of the other hand.

"Answer me one thing, Lord Megatron. Are you truly willing to place our lives in a Prime's hands?" Starscream whispered, unwilling to completely yield his antagonistic role yet.

"In a Prime's hands? No," Megatron offered a humorless laugh. "Nor would I trust the questionable mercy of Sentinel Prime." He continued, softer, "But Optimus Prime..." Megatron paused and nodded, "Yes, Optimus Prime I'll trust."

"In that case, my Lord, you have my loyalty and my devotion. Primus have mercy on us all."

*****************************************************************************

Hours later, Megatron sat alone within his darkened quarters.

The revelation of their current situation and the plan to deal with it had gone well - or as well as could be expected when delivering such shocking information.

Like Starscream, the Decepticons of the Nemesis resisted the idea of a truce with the Autobots. Unlike Starscream, they had fallen in line quicker. But convincing a single mech had always been different than convincing a group.

With a group, the individuals were swept up in the crowd's emotions. Even those who could imperfectly see or hear the speaker were affected, the most rational of mechs behaved irrationally once caught in the emotional storm. Mob mentality, the humans called it.

It took a skilled, passionate speaker - like Megatron - to arouse a crowd of mechs, to inspire them.

Even discounting the approximately four million year stasis period, Megatron hadn't used this ability in vorns. He found, quite surprisingly, that he missed it. He missed inspiring mechs to break the shackles of everyday life, to look at the world in a new way, to consider ideas they had never thought of before.

By the time peace with the Autobots was achieved, it was likely he'd be sick of speeches and craving action. But, for the moment, Megatron savored the nearly forgotten delight of influencing others with rhetoric alone.

He'd persuaded both Starscream and the rest of the Decepticons on-board the Nemesis to necessity of his plan. He had suitable and subtle reminders prepared to remind his second in command of the precariousness of their situation ready for when the other attempted treachery once again.

(If all else failed, he could always mail the Seeker to the Ark and let Skyfire deal with Starscream for a few vorns...)

He only had to convince Prime of both his sincerity and the urgency of the crisis in order to prevent the deactivation of the Cybertronian Decepticons.

The treaty itself - he'd be surprised if the final version was completed by the end of the human year. The sheer number of issues needing to be settled practically assured any negotiation between the Autobots and Decepticons would last a while.

Months.... in the same room as Optimus Prime.... without any life-threatening distractions....

With sudden eagerness to begin the treaty negotiations, Megatron summoned up all of his charismatic eloquence and started entering a letter requesting a meeting with the Autobot leader in a medic-grade datapad.

Time to get started.

********************************************************************

It was a mission of extreme skill, daring, and stealth.

It also had the potential to be funny as Pit.

The last descriptor inspired a small, but furious, battle among Soundwave's cassettes. Each wanted to be chosen for the mission to deliver Megatron's missive to Optimus Prime.

Finally, Soundwave ended the argument by assigning the mission to Ravage. The feline was immediately beset upon by his siblings, each requesting for holos of the Prime's reaction. After all, what kind of big brother would refuse to share blackmai - er - souvenirs of his trip with his siblings?

After promising the other cassettes all the incriminating holos he could take, Ravage and the seeker dropping him off by the Ark - Skywarp, this time - left the Nemesis.

The flight towards Mt. St. Hilary and the Autobot base was routine. All of the seekers had received 'drop and recover cassetticons' missions before were well versed in the flightpath required. It wound over un-inhabited areas, required the flier to stay just above the treetops to avoid detection, and ended at a long abandoned airfield slightly beyond the Autobot security perimeter.

Once there, Skywarp's canopy opened and released Ravage.

The feline cassette easily dropped to the ground and sub-spaced his precious cargo. It would not do to miscarry the mission over something as idiotic as dropping the datapad. True, medic-grade datapads were designed to endure the hazards of a battlefield or an operating room - and their attendant messes. But, surviving getting shot by a trigger-happy Autobot who heard the 'pad land was well beyond the device's limits.

Ravage padded through the forest near the Ark, silently thanking Primus that the Autobots hadn't added to their security since the last time a cassetticon was there. He - nor Shockwave and the other Decepticons back on Cybertron - had time to waste figuring out how to circumvent some new alarm or sensor added to Red Alert's security grid.

Ravage shook himself, as if to shake off distraction. He would not accomplish the mission if he got spotted by the Autobots sentries. Refocusing his optics on the world around him, Ravage blinked in shock.

While absorbed in his own thoughts, Ravage had managed - somehow - to arrive at and enter the Ark via its ventilation system.

Such carelessness was dangerous to a spy.

Megatron wanted peace....

Later. He could think about what peace would mean for himself and his siblings after the mission. If he kept dawdling like this, the peace would never happen and his family unit would suffer.

The feline cassette eyed the ventilation system stretching before him. He'd try the Ark's common room first, then the bridge. If the Prime wasn't in either location, Ravage would need to hack into Teletraan-1, check the duty roster, and pray Optimus Prime wasn't at the idiotically named Autobot City. Autobot City was a necessity after the growing energy crisis forced Shockwave to scour Cybertron for any hidden energon deposits. Unable to remain hidden, the remaining Autobot forces had fled to Earth and inspired the creation of the City.

That wasn't why Ravage wished to stay away from it. The reason Ravage wanted to avoid the City was simple - traveling there and back would add hours on to his mission, and there simply was no time to waste.

Luck, however, was with him. Prime sat in the common room of the Ark, surrounded by various members of the Autobot high command.

Ravage's optics widened in shock, almost wishing for a set of grenades to use on the scene below. Optimus Prime, Elita-1, Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Jazz, Ironhide, Chromia, and... dear Primus, was that Alpha Trion?! Who was in charge of the Ark? Wheeljack?

Still.... This did present some very... interesting opportunities. And it would be crime to let this situation go to waste....

Ravage skulked in the shadows and began to plot.

*********************************************************

Optimus Prime toyed with his un-touched Cube of energon, knowing he should be happier than he was. His friends and family were safe and healthy, as were the mechs and femmes under his command. The various Earth governments had no new quarrels or restrictions dealing with the Autobots. Decepticon activity was at an all time low - and so were the casualties caused by their attacks. In fact, the Decepticons hadn't accomplished a successful raid in months.

If he needed something to worry about, as Ultra Magnus and Elita-1 often joked, Optimus should be wondering and preparing for the Decepticons' next attack.

Instead, Optimus found his processor occupied with thoughts about the status of life on-board the Nemesis. The Decepticons' supply of energon must be nearly exhausted, given the amount of time since their last lucrative energy theft and the lack of Decepticon space-bridge activity in the interim.

After recalling those deductions, Optimus couldn't help but wonder how the Decepticons troops are fairing. Although they're his enemies, he'd known them for vorns and was worried about them anyway. Was Soundwave getting enough energon, or had he been saving a portion of his rations for the cassetticons? How were the Seekers dealing with their claustrophobia? Were the Decepticons all right? Was Meg- Optimus harshly pushed the thought away before it could fully form. He was too late, though, to stop the familiar image of red optics in a sliver face from flashing across his mind.

Optimus compressed his mouth into a thin line. Even after all this time, he hadn't managed to train himself out of reacting to that face.

He needed a distraction, something to occupy his mind until the face returned to the memory file from whence it came.

Optimus focused his attention upon Ironhide. He was just in time to see a black blur alight upon the weapon specialist's head, jump to the table, toss something into Optimus' cube - splattering energon over the nearest mechs, drop to the floor, and scurry out of the common room.

For about thirty seconds, the entire common room froze in shock. Then, with an audio shattering roar, Ironhide charged after Ravage with Chromia hard on his heels. Ironhide's shout broke Elita-1 and Ultra Magnus out of their stunned stupor. The two commanders began coordinating locking-down parts of the Ark with the hunt for Ravage. A laughing Jazz and a smiling Alpha Trion were working on preventing Prowl's battle computer crashing and taking the tactician down with it.

Optimus, lips curled into an amused smile behind his mask, calmly fished the datapad Ravage left behind out of the Cube.

The message upon the pad was addressed to him, Optimus idly noted, and written in an unfamiliar hand. He glanced at the signature and felt his Spark tighten in dread.

Something was horribly wrong.

There was no other reason Megatron, Leader of the Decepticons, would write to Optimus Prime and request a formal meeting.

Comments

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

Prowl: Ratchet is here, so it can't have been him. *pauses* Only Perceptor and First Aid could conceivably cause such an explosion, as they are the only ones in proximity to Wheeljack's lab.

Wheeljack: *without moving away from the TV, which is broadcasting another soap* What makes you so sure it came from my lab?

Prowl: *deadpan* Where else could an explosion come from?

TC: Not to interrupt or anything, but didn't 'Warp say he threw Prime and Megatron in a storage locker? *Prowl and Jazz share a look* I hate to say it, but 'Warp wouldn't know an Ark storage locker from any other room, except maybe the brig...

Prowl: *horrified* We need to get back there. We need to get back there now.

(Luke: *grinning* Do tell. Obi-Wan started to tell me about this one time where you threw up all over an ambassador...)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

Optimus: *over Prowl's radio* Come in, Prowl.

Prowl: Here sir.

Optimus: Can you please remind the Twins not to store their homebrew High-grade in their room? The stuff's explosive.

(Vader: That happened twice. Once, the ambassador, Obi-Wan, and I went out drinking the night before. The other time... I had nasty case of Bunkurd Sewer Disorder.)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

Prowl: *alarmed* Are you all right, sir?

Optimus: Never better. A little buried at the moment, and Megatron is still unconscious, but I'm just fine. Please don't worry about me, and make sure the power plant and the humans stay safe.

*Prowl and Jazz share a look*

Jazz: You sure yer all right, sir? I mean, we can come 'n dig ya out. 'snot like we're doin' anythin' else.

(Luke: *his eyes are huge and he looks a bit horrified* Obi-Wan drank? That hypocrite! He wouldn't let me touch the Corellian ale Han tried to give me! He said that Jedi didn't touch alcohol and I was too young!)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

Optimus: Yes, I'm sure. We're not in any danger. *mutters* Plus, Megatron will kill anyone who sees him like this. *normal* Go protect the humans.

(Vader: Luke, Obi-Wan gave up alcohol after the second time he got sloshed while teaching me - which happened when I got Knighted. And, I agree with him on this - to a point. At Yavin, you were too young to drink. *pause* I'd really rather not be the reason you started drinking, son.)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

Jazz: *perks up* Oh? He get sandwich'd 'tween you 'n somethin'? Sounds pretty cozy.

*Jazz is grinning lasciviously and Prowl's door wings jerk upwards while TC starts snickering*

(Luke: Oh. *suddenly indignant* And I was not too young to drink on Yavin! And we weren't drinking because of you. We were drinking to celebrate the Rebellion's success. *childish* So there.)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

Optimus: NO! No, of course not. *long pause* Prowl... if either you or Jazz could... could ask the Decepticons if Megatron has spare helmets, it would help a lot.

(Vader: Galactic legal drinking age is 20 standard years, Luke. Not that I begrudge you celebrating the destruction of that... that technological terror. The Death Star needed to be destroyed. *turns and places his hands on Luke's shoulders* Luke, what I meant about not wanting you to start drinking because of me is... I don't want you to drink because of... Bespin. Luke, son, do you understand me?)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

*Prowl looks at TC, who shrugs. Jazz, however, looks positively gleeful*

Jazz: That sounded awful defensive, Prime. Ya sure ya aren't snug as two turbohounds on a cold night? *He shakes his head* Too bad this thing doesn't do video...

TC: I'll ask Soundwave. He'll know better than me.

(Luke: It is? Huh. Guess someone should tell Tatooine bartenders that. *he ducks his head then, under Vader's intense stare* I understand. *reaches up and places his hands over Vader's* And you know I already forgave you for that. *looks up* Right?)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

Optimus: *pause* Yes, Jazz, I'm sure... (that I don't want video on this thing.)

(Vader: That's for humans, of course. And, you're assuming that the law is followed on Tatooine anywhere outside of Bestine. *gives Luke's shoulders a small squeeze* I am constantly amazed by you ability to forgive, Luke.)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

Jazz: *perks up* What was that? *Prowl swats him*

Prowl: Stop it. Prime says he's fine, so we'll trust that he's fine. (even if he is trapped beneath rubble and Megatron.)

Jazz: Aw. *pouts and then grins when he realizes something* Hey, Prime, ya realize we've gotta come back eventually. And I doubt you'll be outta that predicament...

(Luke: *grins* Well, what else am I supposed to do? I can't hate you. I mean, you're my father.)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

Optimus: (Is not trapped beneath the rubble and Megatron. He's on top, thank you very much!) *pause* Slag you, Jazz. Besides, the rubble too heavy for me to lift alone. I'm sure Megatron and I can lift it together and be out of here before you get back to the Ark.

(Vader: *quiet, but happy* I know what you mean, son.)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

Jazz: *his grin is absolutely huge* Oh really? That's mighty interestin', Prime. He's on top o' what, exactly? You?

*TC walks up, opens his mouth to say something, hears the last part, pauses, and then lifts an optic ridge*

TC: Who's on top of who? Or do I even want to know?

Prowl: *losing patience* For the love of Primus, Jazz, please cease tormenting our leader. Have you no preservation instincts?

(Luke: *grins as he squeezes Vader's hands* Come on. Let's see if Han or Chewie are anywhere near their comm unit. I wanna dump snow on Jabba!)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

(Optimus is on top of Megatron. =) )

Optimus: Jazz, unless you want to be my punching bag for the next vorn, drop it! *pause, then weary tone* Prowl, any luck finding out if Megatron has spare helmets?

Jazz: Sure thing, boss-mech.

(Vader: Remember to bring a camera or two. We want pictures, lots and lots of pictures!)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

(Thanks - always good to have a mental image of things. :D)

*Prowl looks at TC and lifts an optic ridge*

TC: We've got some, but Soundwave isn't sure where they are. They might be in Megatron's quarters, but those are locked, and only he knows the keycode, so we're going to have to hack in if it's really that important.

Prowl: Did you catch all that, sir?

*Jazz, meanwhile, is edging towards a group of mechs that includes Hound*

(Luke: Psh, of course. You think I'd really dump snow on my home planet forget a holocamera? *pauses* The hardest part about this is people not figuring out what we're up to.)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

(You're welcome!)

Optimus: I heard. *sighs* Thank you, Thundercracker. *pause* Are there any other mechs with head crests on Earth who might have spare helmets? This is an open faction request. *louder* Jazz! Stop that! You're fragging me off!

Megatron: *groans*

Optimus: Oh slag. Prowl, I'm closing the comm line. Contact me when you find out about the helmets. And - if you have to - shoot Jazz!

(Vader: Our home planet. And no, I didn't think you would. *audible grin* We could always set up a temporary shipping company to move the snow... Let's see the Kit Fisto Shipping Co. is moving materials for the Jobalruwee Building Company - which specializes in making things from... dung.)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

*TC starts and stares at Jazz, who looks rather sheepish*

TC: How the frag did he know what you were doing? Our comm units don't have video feeds.

*Jazz shrugs while Prowl smirks a little*

Prowl: He's the bearer of the Matrix. Did you really expect any less? And Jazz, can we please focus? Can you think of anyone with spare helmets they could donate?

Jazz: Dunno. We'll have t'ask 'round.

*Meanwhile... Megatron onlines his optics and blinks up at Optimus*

Megatron: *calmly* Prime.

Optimus: *equally calm* Megatron.

*beat*

Megatron: You mind explaining what's going on?

(Luke: *wrinkles his nose* You're kidding. Well, why don't you try setting them up and I'll get ahold of Han and see if he knows anyone with a little love of Jabba as us? We might get lucky and have a whole bunch of people willing to dump snow on Tatooine simply for the amusement of it all.)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

Prowl: Jazz, stay here and keep track of our results. Thundercraker, if you'd take the Decepticons, I'll speak with the Autobots.

Jazz: Aww.... *sulks*

Prowl: *low tone* Jazz, if you want to get any in the near future....

Jazz: Low blow, Prowler. But, I'll do it f'r you.

Meanwhile....

Optimus: Can I explain as we work our way out of here? I don't want to tempt my soldiers by being like this after they come back to the Ark.

(Vader: Can you think of anything else more likely to be ignored on Tatooine? I'll take suggestions.)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

TC: *is fighting off a smile at Prowl's manipulation* I'll see what I come up with. Soundwave has gone to scour the Nemesis, so he might have more luck that us.

*Prowl nods and the two of them set off*

*Meanwhile...*

Megatron: And just how do you propose we get out of this? *tries wiggling and Optimus stiffens* Unless you do something first, we look pretty stuck.

(Luke: Ha! Nothing, actually. Now hang on, I'll see if I can get ahold of Han. *hoists himself up into his X-Wing and keys in the proper code to the comm unit* Han, old buddy, you there?)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

Optimus: *forcibly under control* Megatron, please don't do that again, or we'll never get out of here. *sighs* This isn't going to be fun. *shifts slowly so hands and knees are braced against the floor* If you can move your arms, help me push my torso free.

(Han: Luke! Hey, kid, what's up? Something up with her Highness-ness?)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

Megatron: *lifts one optic ridge* Is that so? We'll have to continue that train of thought later. *smirks as he does just what Optimus ordered* Don't think I'm going to forget either.

(Luke: No, Leia's just fine. *glances at Vader* I've got a rather strange request, actually. You know how you and Leia sent me on that enforced vacation to Naboo, even though it's an Imperial stronghold, and the Emperor has a timeshare here, and told me to play in the snow on the mountains?

Han: ...yeah?

Luke: Well, I kinda, sorta, ran into Vader-

Han: WHAT? Hang on, kid, we'll be right there!)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

Optimus: ...... My room is nearby..... *pause* I never knew you had a head crest. *Optimus' torso pushes through the rubble, sending it sliding down the sides of the pile*

(Vader: *to Luke, through the Force* *amused* I see you haven't told your friends about your paternity, son.)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

Megatron: *simply smirks at Optimus' first comment and waits until Optimus completely frees himself before speaking* Yes, I have a head crest. What, did you think there was nothing but bare circuits under my helmet? *starts to wiggle himself free* It'd be like me assuming that face mask actually is your face. *looks up sharply* It isn't, is it?

(Luke: *Throws him an exasperated look and then responds through the Force* Hey, haven't exactly had a moment to do so. It's not like I can just drop it into conversation after dinner.

Luke: *to Han* Hey, I'm just fine. You and Leia don't have to rally anyone to rescue me, okay?

Han: *disbelieving* You sure, Luke?

Luke: *rolls his eyes* Yes, I'm sure. Ask Leia. She'll know if I'm in any danger.)

[rosieknight.livejournal.com]

Optimus: *shrugs slightly* I know several of our race who have helms built into their heads. *offers Megatron a hand* Yes, I have a face under the mask. I'll even show it to you when we get to my quarters.

(Vader: *Force voice is mild* I wasn't criticizing, Luke. I know it's not the easiest thing to reveal.

Han: ..... Kid, why would Leia know if you're in danger? Please tell me you two haven't eloped or something...

Vader: *Force voice is nervous* I think I'll go over there while you talk to Solo about Bespin *serious* If there's more to Leia rescuing you than her being both your friend and force sensitive, I don't want to know. It's safer that way.)

[stormqueen873.livejournal.com]

Megatron: *Takes hand and is hoisted to his feet* Come to think of it, I know very few of our race that do not have helms built into their heads. *leers at Optimus' other comment and continues in teasing manner* And here I thought Primes were supposed to be above such suggestiveness.

(Luke: *Force voice* Oops. Misread you. *pauses* That's pretty sad, isn't it? Considering we're supposed to sense that sort of thing. *pauses again* And I don't know. Haven't had a chance to ask Master...ah, Obi-Wan about it.

Luke: *to Han* Leia got some Force-sensitivity. Didn't she tell you how she found me on Bespin? And how can we have eloped when she's on your ship, genius?

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Optimus: *nods* Hence my surprise. It's very attractive, though. *mock shock* Where did you ever get that idea? *more serious, but still light* Primes have the same desires as any other Cybertronian. *pauses* Actually, we might have it worse than the rest of the population. Primus is... very vocal and frank in his assessment of any potential bond partners for an un-bonded Prime... *smirks* Including you, Megatron.

(Vader: *Force voice* It's easier when the other person doesn't have any other emotions interfering with the one they're sending. *mental shrug* I'm a Sith, Luke. Anger, fear, hate, and pain are fairly constant compainions. *pause* You can call Obi-Wan Master Kenobi without upsetting me, son. I was there when he was granted the title.

Han: Uh... no. She's been talkin' to the bigwigs about stuff. We really haven't had a chance to talk. She's Leia - ordinary mortal rules don't affect her.)

Edited: to fix spelling mistakes.

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Megatron: *his optics widen and he touches the crest gingerly* Attractive, huh? *Pauses as he digests the rest, and then lifts an optic ridge as he smirks* Is he now. So he shouts at you when you should jump someone and shouts at you when you shouldn't? *His smirk fades a little* Wait. Aren't you already bonded? *His smirk fades completely* You know, to that little pink femme. Every piece of intelligence I have says so. *Both his optic ridges lift* And do I want to know what Primus says about me?

(*Luke breathes a sigh of relief -- Vader didn't notice he almost said 'Yoda'. He's not entirely sure he should let anyone know the little troll is still alive and whacking people with his cane*

Luke: *Force voice* Okay, I don't feel so bad then. And I've never really called Obi-Wan 'Master Kenobi.' He was Crazy Old Ben for the longest time, so you can imagine it was a little difficult for me to even call him Obi-Wan. *shakes head* Old habits die hard.

Luke: *to Han* Ah. Well, I'm just fine. *pauses* But the reason I contacted you just might make you rethink that.

Han:...Kid, if you say you're eloping with Vader...

Luke: *chokes* Han, where... what... *explodes in a mix of violent Huttese and Basic, calling Han and his idea every foul thing he can think of*)