Transformers Exodus, chapter 21 - Alex Irvine
Did Starscream just invade Megatron’s personal place ?
IT’S A DISEASE. HELP.
Starscream did something then that Megatron
would not have credited him with the courage to do.
He stepped up to Megatron, close enough that their
faces nearly touched despite Megatron being larger.
“I need no excuse, Megatron,” he said quietly. “Have
any of your other loyal followers achieved what I have?
Ha!” Starscream snorted derisively. “I think not. That
worthless collexion of scrap you call an army needs true
leadership : expert training, tactical plans, proper care
given to logistics and detailed reconnaissance. You can
give them morale, and pretty little speeches, and you
can order Soundwave to do your dirty work, but you do
not understand the full place of a leader. When this war
is over, will you sit on your throne to judge and administer
your new people? Or will you have Soundwave do all that
for you? Why not let Soundwave lead the Decepticons
while you trot around in your gladiator’s armour and inspire
them? A true leader has been trained in all aspects of
ruling since he was born. That is what I was trained to do.”
Megatron reared up, reinstating the difference
between them. He was larger, stronger, and whether
Starscream judged it so or not, Megatron knew he was
more intelligent. How transparent could the leech’s grab
at power be?
”Ah, but Starscream, you threw away your birthright
when you joined the Crystal College to become a scientist.
Or did you think yourself the Prince of Trypticon, in place
of being the Prince of Vos?”
“Yes, mock me. That is surely the wordroad of a
good leader. Belittling your troops must be like catching
gnats with vinegar.”