Fear No Evil [Waylay]

[Starscream]

November 1st, 2027
Location: Death Valley, CA

Death Valley was actually an amazing place. The heat wasn't ideal, but then again it wasn't much better anywhere else. At least the deserts were cool at night. The shifty F22 Raptor Decepticon Air Commander was out and about, trying to stay busy outside of base. He was on a continuous search for new bases, or little semi personal homesteads if you will. He wanted a place which he could go to away from the others, even if it meant sneaking a Ground Bridge.

He flew towards what geography was a part of the desert land scape, a maze of cracks scattered out on the tough sandy ground. Not much lived out here, at least on the flat landscape. There were a few birds in the hills and plateaus, but a very minimal amount.

Couldn't blame him for wanting to get away. It was such hard work being second in command. Really though, Starscream had been slacking off. He wasn't going neutral or anything, he was just looking for a break. A chance for some real peace in a new place. Somewhere he could meditate with no disturbance.

Like a bird of prey, he landed just a second after transforming mid hover, using reverse thrust to do so. The rocks crumbled under his weight, but refused to give out completely. A gentle breeze whistled through his armor, and his wings quickly relaxed. Yes, Starscream thought he had chosen well.

So he kicked back into a seated position and rested back on his hands, glad to be alone. {"Now Starscream, don't get too comfy here."}

[waylay]

Deserts were becoming a standard location for her, it seemed. At least this time, there wasn't a freak storm drowning the desolate landscape, and no lightning sizzled and crackled to interfere with her systems. Thus, she was free to cut through the atmosphere, her blackened hide sailing smoothly on the region's warming, gentle currents. The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk mode of hers was truly an inspirational form; it was a master of flight, form, and appearance. Styled sleek, she experienced no turbulence. Colored dark, detecting it via standard radar devices was near impossible. All in all, it was perfect.

While possessing no mouth at the moment, Waylay still managed to smile to herself- even if it was mental. Down below, the ground zipped about, its countless dried shrubs mere blurs as she passed, the rock formations, while beautiful, started to blend together as she accelerated. It felt absolutely wonderful breaching near-supersonic speeds- the only reason she didn't shatter the sound barrier, was in case something of interest happened to cross her path.

As her slick form caressed the heavens, a warning siren interrupted her calm state of mind. Her internal gear had picked up the signal of another, one whom she was rapidly approaching. She silently swore, cursing her luck- Waylay had hoped to enjoy a day of leisure. But it seemed that the Fates were against her.

The jet leaned to the right and entered a sloped descent, while also turning away from the source of the disturbance, as detected by her radar. Before reaching too low of an altitude, her appearance shifted, cockpit shifting into a piece of chest armor, wings splitting from the body to become two separate parts, body forming other fragments of armor. The transformed Cybertronian thrust her feet downward, initiating their boosters to slow her descent. Eventually, the twin flames were dismissed all together, allowing her to land with but a light quaking to the earth.

Her red optics narrowed, staring at a silver gleam about a mile out from her spot. Waylay had purposely landed far enough away to investigate the potential threat, while hopefully evading the other's own sensors. As she bent forward into a defensive stance, the Decepticon considered activating her stealth mechanisms. They were eventually decided against, however- since she detected only one life source, there was no reason to be cowardly..

[Starscream]

Starscream's attention immediately shifted towards Waylay. Her alternate mode was obvious as she flew closer into view. He couldn't tell if she was more or less feminine in nature until the wind shifted his direction, catching her scent along with it. Though he fancied female Decepticon fliers, few were actually his type, and even fewer actually got ALONG with him in the long run. So why should he bother even simply greeting this one?

He scoffed inwardly and looked towards the horizon again from where he was sitting.

~"I don't bite. Surely you have heard of Starscream, the Great?"~ Starscream called out with a hint of sarcasm.

[waylay]

This was foolish. Why did she always feel compelled to keep her distance? Observe, rather than act? She had been one of the most skilled gladiators back in Kaon, before the war began on Cybertron. All those eons ago, the bot didn't even so much as fathom using her most sacred and sneaky technology. Instead, she chose to meet her opposition head-to-head, the combat direct and straightforward. Sure, she had relied on her speed, agility, and precision to actually deal blows (rather than brute strength), but at least she was visible and proud. What has made me change? She wondered. When exactly did I fall into such cowardice?

Waylay's head snapped to attention as her com-link cut her thought trail off. She visibly winced, recognizing the voice immediately. Before the bot had even declared his name, she mouthed it herself with a bit of bewilderment- what was the great commander doing out here? His comment shifted her mood before her thoughts could further wander, making the femme chuckle. There was something about his inquiry, and the tone of his voice, that made her circuits spark with infatuation. Well now, this was going to be interesting.

Grinning, the Decepticon started her confident stride on over to his location, ensuring her very feminine physique swayed masterly, especially her luscious hips. Eyes half-obscured by lowering lids, she peered over him from beneath them. Before getting too close to his personal space, though she wished to do so, Waylay crossed her right arm along her chest and bowed to him at the waist. "Good afternoon, Commander Starscream. I'm pleasantly surprised to have come across you out here." She beamed at him.

[Starscream]

It wasn't necessarily Waylay's manners that were catching him off guard with a pleasant surprise, but rather her voice and even more simply: her physique. Starscream decided he was going to make the most of this opportunity, and try not to make things awkward. Most femmes made it obvious they weren't interested in him once they got to know him. Sometimes that decision was made based on reputation alone.

~"And a good afternoon to you too -- what's your name? Yes, I am out alone, glad to have not a single Spark pestering me for this or that."~ he bristled, muttering slightly in Cybertronian. No need to use the Earth language way out here on their lonesome, after all. Trying not to faulter as he watched the femme of similar stature approach him took far more effort than he'd anticipated. ~"I had to get away from Megatron, he's craving Sparks even more so now, it's best you avoid communicating with him directly at all costs.

Anyway, I may have met you before, as you have Decepticon scent on you, but I can be horrible with names. My apologies. "~

[waylay]

My my, wasn't this infamous individual being pleasant? ~"My name is Waylay, Commander."~ She bowed a second time, emphasizing her respect. He was the lord of the skies for the Decepticons, after all. It was rather comforting to hear him address her in their native tongue- it felt as though it had been eons since such complex syllables last danced within her audio sensors. For a moment, as she slowly arose to her full statuette height, the femme closed her optics completely and recollected her home planet. How it was once brimming with life and activity, the air heavily enriched with laughter and chatter. Now..all of that was gone.

Upon him mentioning their ruler, her optics cracked open again, though were weighted by sorrow. Megatron had fallen into a corrupted state, one that even she, one of his oldest warriors, feared. "Indeed. It saddens me to have to keep such a distance from him. I had- and still do- admired him so dearly." Waylay shook her head, ridding her processor of the ill thoughts. She needed to keep a clear mind, and her spark hopeful of a possible recovery from the darkness. "I've been away from the base for ages, it seems." The Decepticon hugged herself lightly. "But it's for the best. I've always worked wonders on my own for our cause."

She laughed, realizing how idiotic she must have sound. "Forgive my ramblings, Commander. I'm usually not so loose of tongue." Purposely, she licked her lips, her optics never leaving him. "And there's no real need to apologize. My whole game is keeping myself unknown, even to our kind. I specialize in secrets- both exposing and keeping them." The femme winked.

"But it seems I've interrupted your time of leisure. If you so wish it, I'll go." Hopefully, though, her company would be welcome..

[Starscream]

Starscream looked slightly aghast. ~"No it's fine, you can stay, if you want. Our objectives-and some of our views- are rather similar, after all. Perhaps you could be of some assistance, as well? Since you seem to do a lot of...surveillance, what places have caught your eye that might make a good secondary base? I'm liking this one so far."~ Starscream obviously didn't give a damn if he was on national park grounds, if he wanted a little safehaven here, he would have it. He didn't care if he was spotted making landing patterns here, few could actually bother getting to him if he hid in the right places in the derert range. It wasn't all just flat desert sand, after all. ~"I was thinking of inspecting Nevada and Montana next whenever I am done here, if you would like to accompany me."~

Maybe that was a silly request to make upon just meeting someone, but why not? He had little to lose. She WAS a pretty femme after all, and furthermore, he could do whatever he so desired, and she would take a risk too if she took his offer. Thus he wasn't too concerned over telling her too much or too little. Starscream was decent at calculating risks. He was also very experienced on knowing when was the best time to bail out of a situation, and when it was too late to do so.

Hopefully they would both gain from this interaction. If not, at least he would.

[waylay]

She secretly shuddered. His expression..that reaction..it was priceless. Waylay absolutely relished in seeing him so taken by her words- it meant that she could get under that armor plating of his with ease. Perhaps in the literal sense..some cycle. Power was something that truly had her buzzing. And boy, did he have some. Still, she was a Cybetronian that valued having a level processor, to play things out calmly and to her advantage. So far, her physique seemed to be doing all the hard work for her. While normally she'd consider it a pity, and the masculine instinct rather pathetic..For some reason, Starscream was coming off as an exception.

Waylay drummed a nail on her chin as she thought about his dilemma. ~"That is indeed one of my primary functions, Commander."~ The femme nodded in confirmation. ~"But my purpose isn't for recreational reasons."~ After bowing apologetically, she continued. ~"I have not considered a second base before, with how our kind have scattered.."~ a wrist was rolled as momentarily paused, "~it seems more necessary now than ever. You truly do have quite the head on your shoulders."~ A few chuckles, light and dainty, escaped her lips.

~"This is, indeed, a nice, quiet region to recuperate. As for secure.."~ Waylay clicked the roof of her mouth with her tongue and tilted her head to one side. ~"The ravines do provide cover, and rather risky escape routes- nothing a top-notch flyer such as yourself couldn't handle, of course."~ Her optics examined him over intimately. ~"Personally, I prefer a place dampened by shadows. But of course, that's simply to make my job easier. A cowardly approach to some. But for those whom know how to truly manipulate the darkness.. Well, there's a lot of fun that can be had."~

When he offered her more time together, she quirked a brow, a bit surprised. Starscream wasn't known for his socializing skills- that is, if one could say he even had any. Though he did seem to be doing a decent job with her, at least. Smiling cooly, Waylay put a hand on her chest, and stated, ~"It would be an honor, Commander. I would love to accompany and aid you in any manner possible."~

[Starscream]

~"Excellent."~ Starscream replied with the faintest slur on the middle words, producing a soft hiss of sorts embedded in his tone of appreciation. ~"There is much truth to your words, Waylay. Interestingly, everyone has their own way of doing things. Take the viscous Megatron, for example. Evil knows evil, but it also has differences. Different foundations."~ he paused, unsure of what else to say to that.

Indeed, Starscream could be a little awkward to be around, especially when he had one of his stupid moments or was really ticked off about something. But otherwise, he wasn't half that bad.

Sparks of hope flickered inside his Spark. He was really excited about having the chance to interact with a femme one on one. Usually he was out solo, or doing something around the base, flying with fellow fliers, training, etc. Other days he'd sneak away for a flight and some exploring along the East Coast and sometimes the rest of the US-which was well explored by now, until Megatron would realize he was missing of course. That ended up badly every time. However, Starscream ultimately craved freedom, and Megatron used that well known concept against his emotions, or what little Starscream actually had left...

Nevertheless, the Con wasn't going to leave this place on a whim just yet nor was he paranoid of Megatron finding him and chewing up his Spark because of how valuable he was, they had an endless love-hate-relationship as leaders. Somehow in the end, they complimented each other, whether or not both realized and accepted this.

[waylay]

Waylay's spark was positively going critical mass in her chassis- it was amazing that its potent glow couldn't be seen piercing out through the slits of her metal flesh. The emotions running through her systems were so intense.. that she was starting to become frightened. She took a moment to reflect upon herself, really dig deep into her processor, and figure out what was going on. This wasn't like her at all. Normally, the Cybertronian was calm, collected, free of such accursed 'feelings.' Her persona had been ideal for her role as an assassin. If this was going become a more frequent, she was going to have to have an overhaul.

When he began his short lecture concerning evil, her focus returned. And yet.. a part of her was still attempting to work out her kinks. In truth, she had never honestly considered herself evil before. Back on Cybertron, she had been a gladiator- one forced to fight against others for sport and credits. And even in the ring, she favored disarming her opposition, leaving them room for recovery, rather than scraping them entirely. Once she was free from that life and found a new calling under the Decepticon banner, even then, she performed as dictated- no combat was approached otherwise. Even to this day, conflict was avoided unless instructed.

But in the instants shedid perform..Waylay enjoyed every moment. Did that make her 'evil?' Possibly. In comparison to her fellow Decepticons, she was a saint. While she might find it entertaining to gun down an Autobot, they truly took rapture in every gory moment. Not that it bothered her at all- she was indifferent.

~"You would know him the best, having been around him the longest."~ Waylay stated matter-of-factually. After scraping a rough patch of earth with her foot, she eased down beside Starcream, making herself more comfortable. ~"There must be a lot going on through your processor, concerning him. You've seen him at his peak, been there when he fell. And now, with his resurrection of sorts and new desires.."~ She shuddered. ~"It must be difficult. I have a great deal of respect for you, Commander, for handling it all so well. You are a true inspiration."~

[Starscream]

~"Your words are kind."~ Starscream replied with a brief chuckle. In an almost predictable typical Starscream fashion, a bit of a sneer was displayed on his face plates. ~"Yes I have been by his side on many occasions, but also off on my own leaving him to take care of things himself, even turning on others occasionally. What a true Decepticon does. He may think it's a bit predictable for me, being so fickle and almost disloyal at times, but he knows such ways are...second nature to me. We are not pets he can just throw around to his pleasing, even when he thinks it."~

Starscream knew Megatron would have tossed him around for saying such things, but he had little fear of Megatron intercepting them for now.

((Sorry for the delay, I return from my vacation, however! I hope to post a bit every night or two^^.

I'm tempted to toss in Megatron at some point during their travels, they need some bickering among their chain of command XD. But I need a reason. Perhaps one as simple as Megatron getting frustrated with Starscream disappearing AGAIN is reason enough lols.))