Imagine a convo like this during the Orion Pax arc...
Orion: You... used Dark Energon? How?
Megatron: I... inserted it directly into my own spark, then I--
Orion (to Soundwave): Did he really...?
Orion: Oh Primus, Creator of all, what THE FRAG were you thinking?!?
Megatron: *scoff* You don't think I could have handled the power?
Orion: YOU COULD HAVE DIED! I don't give a scrap heap about whether you could control it or not. Megatron, you placed the very essence of death and destruction into your spark chamber!
Orion: And what would have happened then? If you had ceased to function?
Orion: You constantly belittle Starscream's command-- publicly. It's clear to everyone who follows you-- and possibly our enemy-- that you don't want Starscream to lead! You waste his time and talents with the promise of leadership opportunities...
Megatron: *growls* I promise NOTHING.
Orion: ...Even when he performs his duties amicably and efficiently, you give him no reward. What message does that send to your troops?
Megatron: His reward is his life! The fact that I allow that traitorous mech to even function on my ship... he should be grateful.
Orion: ...So you don't actually trust him, or LIKE HIM enough to be a true heir to the Decepticons.
Megatron: No. I do not trust him.
Orion: Alright, then what about Soundwave?
Soundwave: *stops his work and quietly excuses himself. Nope, not doing this today.*
Megatron: What about Soundwave? You know him too, he has been here since the beginning.
Orion: He may have been here the longest but he is not meant for as large a role as leader... and he knows it too.
Megatron: Soundwave is my most loyal. I trust him completely. The only reason I don't have him as my second is so that we can BOTH keep an optic on Starscream. Get to your POINT, Orion!
Orion: MY POINT IS THAT YOU DON'T THINK!
Orion: You disappeared for 3 years, leaving Starscream to care for and coordinate your armies.
Orion: He does a fine job continuing your expansion whether you like it or not, and even takes out a member of the primary Autobot squadron.
Orion: Energon production is not up significantly, but it's not down either-- likely the best anyone could have done in times like these.
Orion: But then you return, beating and tossing him this way and that, barely even acknowledging his work!
Orion: Your troops see this, and any respect Starscream has garnered during his time commanding has gone out the window.
Orion: And you MUST know this, somewhere in your processor. And I know you are also aware that Soundwave could not have filled your pedes in your absence, otherwise you would have specified as such.
Orion: But then what do you do? YOU STAB YOUR SPARK WITH A DARK ENERGY EVEN THOUGH YOU CANNOT COMPREHEND IT'S EFFECTS!
Orion: If you had died, Starscream could not resume his command after you laid waste to everyone's opinion of him. Soundwave could not have taken over because he simply could not handle it.
Orion: There would be a power vacuum. Any and all strong Decepticons within a few stellar cycles journey from here would compete for dominance, dividing your forces. The message would be lost... your armies, scattered.
Orion: The Autobots... would WIN.
Megatron: *gets up to loom over Orion/Optimus*
Megatron: You seem to have a lot to say for someone who has essentially been in stasis for millions of vorns.
Orion: *huff* All I'm saying is that you aren't using your intellect and prospective reasoning! You keep acting on your first instinct instead of thinking things through. What happened to the strategist? The gladiator with a plan?
Orion: ... talk to me. What is it about the Autobots that make you lose your focus?
Megatron: *knocks hand away* We will discuss this later, Orion.
Orion: ... do you even know what it's doing to your spark now? I doubt you can fully purge Dark Energon, as energy can neither be created nor destroyed.
Orion: *reaches out* Please... as your friend, I am asking you to seek medical attention... if only so we can better understand what must happen now.
Megatron:... I have things I must attend to.
