Back from speaking with Telrim in the Nexus

[screamsofstars]

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[in_the_cracks]

Jointed legs uncoil as the little exoskeleton stands and shuffles around to face her, backlit by images from the screen it had been watching. There's a pause as the Yeerk inside - Arrash Twelve-Eight as it's introduced itself - studies Starscream's appearance, and then it responds through the equipment's voice.

"I have," it says, considering what might have happened to anger her. Will it need to make an escape? Have the Transformer's negotiations with the Council broken down so far?

[screamsofstars]

"So it's reasonable to presume that I won't be accused of kidnapping you?" Starscream's eyes are narrow with suppressed temper.

[in_the_cracks]

What? "Kidnapping? If I had not contacted them, I would still be an acceptable loss to gain what you're offering."

[screamsofstars]

"And this is the truth? Not some ploy to gain yourself more power at my expense?" She folds her arms over her chest.

[screamsofstars]

There isn't one really now that Starscream's finished yelling.

"So your associates would be able to speak around you with the possibility that you wouldn't understand what they said?" She arches a brow.

[in_the_cracks]

It's a shame Arrash hasn't the face to give her a funny look. "Yeerks do not use human slang outside of infiltration." All right, sometimes, but! "Galard is the standard language in most of the Empire."

[screamsofstars]

"Far be it from me to be patronizing." Yeah right. "But knowledge of language is a skill that should never be overlooked."

[in_the_cracks]

Arrash clicks at her. "I learn all relevant languages. We don't all have time to learn everything, Transformer. Some of us must prioritise."

[screamsofstars]

Starscream looks up, inhaling deeply and savoring the different components of the air. "Hold on tightly."

They're going to do something new.

[in_the_cracks]

That's never a good sign. Arrash flattens itself down instinctively, slightly alarmed. "What are you doing?"

[screamsofstars]

Instead of answering, the Transformer lifts her arms and then shoots into the air, her face flexing into a fierce grin as they pierce the clouds.

[in_the_cracks]

Arrash vocalises a small cry of surprise as they launch. It clings as well as it can, but there's no denying the thrill of the flight. Arrash has flown Bug fighters before; this is different, but little less incredible.

[screamsofstars]

"Very well." She conceals the smirk this time. "What are you waiting for?"

[in_the_cracks]

Arrash doesn't sigh. It simply begins to disengage from its shell, letting the exoskeleton open and expose it to the air. It can feel the chill through its slime layer immediately.

[screamsofstars]

Starscream puts out a hand to give support, patient now that her wishes are being met and letting her protective instincts respond slightly to the small creature.

[in_the_cracks]

The Yeerk crawls from the shell and into her hand, less concerned than one might think about the open air so close by. It's strange to sound the area and hear back so much nothing - but such is any trip beyond the pool. And Arrash is daring.

[screamsofstars]

"They're not self aware." Starscream goes into a brisk spin, then does a loop that no piloted jet would be capable of and with one shot suddenly becomes the pursuer instead of the pursued.

[in_the_cracks]

Arrash hisses in excitement, knowing she's just outperformed any Taxxon pilot it's flown with. "Are there no sentient guards here?" it asks, not really caring about the answer. It's too caught up in the aerial display it's literally in the centre of.

[screamsofstars]

"Mmmhmm." Another spin, and then a sudden drop, and two more drones are plummeting downward, damaged wings trailing smoke. "We might get a few later."

She screams skyward again, her sights locking onto the wing of the drone she's pursuing, and which is trying desperately to shake her.

[in_the_cracks]

Arrash is making small, thrilled noises, totally lost in the fight. "Wing him!" it cheers. "Now!"

It's also falling into the trap of backseat combat.