Starscream has always been wary, the trait coded ripe into his brain. It’s in his DNA, his protoform - but there was a time, long - long ago, that his willingness was much more so than what he possessed these days. He was brilliant - the entire Academy, the planet - everyone knew it. His tenacity on the battlefield was often unparalleled, and while Starscream did not relish force and contact, it was invigorating. Yet his mind was better suited elsewhere - weapons designs, environmental issues, energon seeking. There was a reason he was an Air Commander. There was a reason he’d been graced with such brilliance. The mech had always kept one ear to the ground - carefully paying attention. His desire for power was no real secret, and he paid careful attention to political unrest. However, he had no real inkling to do anything just yet- He came to him when there were only two moons in the sky, the ledging dark about him. The jumpy soul that he was - Starscream nearly launched out of his armor, deep Cybertronian and rumble caught off guard. ”Starscream-“ A click of his cannon, and the mech’s wings are rigid. He’s whirling, optics bright in the darkness. ”Lord Protector-“ A large servos stops him, and the Air Commander surprisingly obeys. Wary gaze shifts over that massive form, and he shifts backwards just slightly. He doesn’t look unfriendly - doesn’t look unkind… he simply looks determined. Starscream doesn’t like it. The larger mech advances on him, but he holds his ground, ready to take flight at any moment. What was this? A personal assassination? ”I need your help.” His silence was deafening. “….What?”