Soundwave makes a choice.

Title: Competence

Warning: Finally taking the capable!Starscream ficlets out of Candy From Strangers and putting them into order, since it seems to be an oft-requested kink and prompt within its own plotline.

Rating: PG-13

Continuity: TF: Prime, G1ish.

Characters: Soundwave, Starscream.

Disclaimer: The theatre doesn't own the script or actors, nor does it make a profit from the play.

Motivation (Prompt): Various Tumblr things.

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Pt. 1: Capable

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Starscream is self-centered, cruel, an egotistical nightmare. Stripped of sheer power and raw charisma, much the same could be said of Megatron.

Could have been . Past tense, which is the crux of the matter. Soundwave sets a reminder in the forefront of his HUD to take care in self-editing. The Lord of the Decepticons is gone. Slipping up and referring to Lord Megatron in the present tense would do nothing but endanger his own life. Past tense is both more accurate and more appropriate, for the king is dead - long live the king.

Bringing him back to Starscream. Soundwave considers the Air Commander.

Of course Starscream declared himself leader the moment Megatron disappeared. Mockery and subtle sneering followed his declaration, but it's telling that mutiny has not. Soundwave surprises himself realizing that even he hasn't contemplated a power grab. That is the turning point, he supposes. If he doesn't want leadership and no one else dares rebel against Starscream, then Starscream's power is as real as the arrogant jet believes it is.

Well, maybe not quite as grandiose in scale as he believes it, but power is power. Starscream owns a solid powerbase, with ambition enough that he's done nothing but build it up. Soundwave can contemplate that as a fact once he allows himself to think about it. It made him uneasy at first to do even that, but it's a holdover from Megatron's brutal suppression of anyone who eyed his throne. Megatron's total control of the Decepticons didn't lend itself to true planning for succession. Not that it stopped Starscream in the end, of course.

What's seems like prudent planning now was treason then, but it's obvious in retrospect that plans were unnecessary. The heir to the Empire has always been there, waiting. He takes the throne naturally, and although it's a throne made to fit the founder of the Empire, anyone can take it if they're willing to face the comparison.

Starscream faced that comparison every day. This is hardly the first time Soundwave's considered him in the context of Megatron.

Starscream lacks the brute power that bled off Megatron, but he uses precision to destroy, a single accurate sniping hit instead of an overwhelming barrage of ammunition. Megatron's natural charisma had a flavor: a sharp, coppery tang of fear in the back of the throat. His confidence was as magnetic as it was intimidating, and he rumbled in a low, rasping voice. Starscream's charm is so different it's almost the opposite. His smooth patter is practiced, persuasive, threats slipping in among the promises of reward and slick reason. Thin as his voice is, the words he says are rich and full.

They led in completely different ways, but their unique styles both get the job done. Either could seduce their worst enemy into picking up a gun to fight for them. And while the Decepticons might not follow Starscream into the Pit - not yet, Soundwave thinks, and that, too, is telling - they will indeed follow him.

It takes something to be a leader, some indefinable mix of charm and danger, and Starscream has it. Soundwave has analyzed him many times, but he can't pin down what it is. Is it the ruthless capability when he takes to the air, streaking through quicksilver tactics as his mind clicks through the wider strategy of the battlefield as a whole? Is it how he stepped in perfectly counterpoint to Megatron, diverting intimidation into alliances before fear could send fellow Decepticons running?

Whatever it is, it made Starscream Megatron's most trusted threat, like a knife ready to cut the hand that wields it. Megatron set the Air Commander on the pedestal a step below himself, the Seeker eternally poised to take the highest position and make it his own. Soundwave never quite understood why Megatron kept Starscream alive, but at the same time he saw the necessity. Starscream has been Megatron's balance for so long Soundwave fights to separate the two of them in his mind. Every one of Starscream's flaws mirrors Megatron's own, every advantage an echo of their fallen leader's.

Megatron obsesses - obsessed - over Optimus Prime. It was a weakness Soundwave dares acknowledge in the absence of present tense. It was a gaping hole in the Decepticons' defenses. As Soundwave pores over the thought, it occurs to him that Starscream's overinflated, over-compensating ego is a chink dug just as deep in their new leader. Starscream has won, he has triumphed, he now leads the Decepticons, but reacting to doubt, mockery, and threats to his rule can undermine him the same way as the Prime had led Megatron around by obsession. Damaged pride can cripple Starscream.

This is a problem. It's a weakness. It's an exploitable crack in Starscream's otherwise brilliant mind, and it needs to be corrected before the Autobots attack it. The Decepticons cannot afford the infighting that will result if Starscream falters.

Megatron is gone. Whether or not he stays gone permanently, Starscream rules right now. The Decepticons follow him, grumbling perhaps, but he is their leader. It behooves Soundwave to ensure their leader is acknowledged and acknowledges him in turn. If patching Starscream's self-confidence happens to cement Soundwave in place as the solution, then it's all the more in his self-interest to lend his support.

Soundwave silently strides through the halls, tapping the communication network to check where he must go. Starscream surrounds himself with syncopates, symbols of power, and Soundwave sets another reminder to himself. The dependence on visible, material paraphernalia and courtiers can be taken advantage of. Yes, he can make use of it now for his own purposes, but he'll need to wean the former Air Commander and new Supreme Commander off the trappings of power.

Although…maybe not. Megatron shunned the garish symbols of rule, but then again, he founded the Decepticon Empire. Everyone knew his power. Starscream might have the right idea making his new position obvious to everyone. It's blatantly obvious who reigns on high when their leader wore a crown.

Hmm. Soundwave set it aside to think on later.

For now, he'll give Starscream the show his insecurities need. Let the new leader cling to such things. Displays of submission and subservience cost Soundwave nothing, and open participation strengthens the Decepticon hierarchy. Again, it's an easy way to tell who's in charge. Placement in the command structure is easily determined by who kneels on bended knee to whom.

It's not a bad system. It's just not one Soundwave is accustomed to.

He'll adjust.

He waits to be seen amidst the minor chaos surrounding Starscream, patiently listening to the Seeker's purring voice dictate the mood and direction of the entire room. Competing subcommanders fluff their armor, making themselves larger to attract attention. A scolded mech tucks in on himself as if attempting to disappear, and Starscream sneers. When he barks an order, wings scatter everywhere in immediate obedience. Wheels lower, out of favor and deferential.

At last, Starscream deigns to notice him. "Soundwave. Lurking in the shadows, hmmm? What do you want?"

The new Decepticon leader assumes Soundwave approaches him for business only, as the communication specialist's done since Megatron's disappearance. The message is clear enough: Soundwave is loyal to the Empire, not to him. Soundwave believes Megatron will return. Soundwave won't support Starscream's regime. Their truce has been one of convenience, and Starscream regards him warily.

By then, much of the room has emptied, but there are enough people left to make this a public gesture. Soundwave kneels before Starscream, lowering himself gracefully to the floor at his leader's feet.

Red optics widen.

As the Seeker stares down at him, Soundwave captures one hand in his own and brings it to his mask, then his forehelm. "Lord Starscream," he says in a voice Starscream's never heard, "Leader, Supreme Commander of the Decepticon Empire. Soundwave: at your command."

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