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“What on Cybertron?” Starscream turned to see what his companion was looking at when Redwing spoke. The mech’s tone dripped scorn, even with such few words, and it was always valuable to know who the other Seeker was looking down on now.
If only to know who his potential allies would be later.
The Prince’s optics went wide when he saw what, or rather who, Redwing was sneering at. “What is a shuttle doing at the academy?”
“Delivering a message, I should hope. It surely cannot think the Primal Decree allows it admittance.” Redwing turned away with a haughty sniff.
“The shuttle is still a person, not a drone.” Starscream frowned. “You would do well to remember that, particularly in my presence.”
Redwing gave him a startled look in return, but the Prince didn’t stay to listen to any of his excuses. He walked away from the other Seeker, and approached the shuttle and the minibot who appeared to be escorting them. And honestly, the minibot’s presence was just as surprising as the shuttle’s; the Primal Decree for Integration had only gone out the meta-cycle previously.
“Good afternoon, gentlemechs,” Starscream said brightly as he drew up alongside the pair.
“Oh no,” the minibot said quietly.
“Good afternoon,” the shuttle replied, almost drowning out the minibot and sounding cautious.
Starscream approved. “I noticed the two of you as I was walking with my questionably competent bodyguard, you may ignore him he is a boor, and found myself overcome with curiosity. What–”
“We have as much right to be here as you.” The shuttle frowned down at him, looking as intimidating as a freshly hatched gyrofalcon for all that he was four times Starscream’s size.
“Of coure you do!” Starscream nodded firmly. He had been on the advisory council to the Prime, after all, that had begun the education integration initiative. “I wanted to know what brought you here. Why the Science Academy, and not one of the marginally more friendly schools?”
“Oh.” The shuttle looked surprised, and so did the minibot, and their expressions reminded Starscream–again–of just how right he had been to believe integration was the answer to a great many of their problems. “I’m sorry, we’ve dealt with a lot this meta-cycle and I think we were both expecting more of the same. But I am here to study biology and xenobiology. My friend is studying geology.”
“Oh! I am in my second year of xenobiology, myself!” Starscream smiled brightly. “And I am taking an elective credit in geology, though I have no plans for making it a primary field. Perhaps we could study together in the future.”
It would be much, much better than attempting to study while Redwing attempted to wheedle favors out of him, or worse.
“If our current course material is any indication, I think that would be very helpful.” The shuttle smiled, too, and Starsceam had to fight to keep his expression even. The mech was gorgeous when he wasn’t frowning. “I’m Skyfire, and my friend is Beachcomber.”
“I am Starscream.” He stopped before adding his title, for once wanting someone to see him first and the Wind Prince second.
“The Prince?!” Beachcomber squeaked.
Or not. Starscream resisted the urge to sigh.
“He is just a mech, Beachcomber. And a student, like us.” Skyfire’s smile widened and he patted the small mech carefully on the shoulder. “I think we can learn a great deal from each other, though.”
“I agree.” Starscream nodded.
Somewhere behind them, he heard Redwing suppressed a screech.