Spotlight: Starscream Script

Discussion in 'Transformers Fan Fiction' started by Shockscream, Apr 4, 2013.

  1. Shockscream

    Shockscream Chairman of Nerd Day

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    TRANSFORMERS: SPOTLIGHT – STARSCREAM

    NOTE: All dialogue taken from “Megatron Origin” is by Eric Holmes; all dialogue from “Last Stand of the Wreckers” is by James Roberts and Nick Roche.​


    PAGE 1 (SPLASH):

    1. Soundwave standing before a Seeker (both Cybertronian robot mode). The Seeker is mostly in shadow in the foreground. There should be just a hint that this is Starscream – a suggestion of his signature colours. Soundwave has his hand outstretched, proffering a card with the Decepticon symbol on it. (The card is identical to that seen in “Spotlight: Blurr”.) The entire room in which they stand is gloomy and grimy. No-one would have come to this location unless they needed to be unobserved.

    STARSCREAM:
    What’s in it for me?​


    PAGE 2:

    1. Close on Soundwave’s face. As always, the Decepticon spy-master is implacable, unreadable. His visor glows with malevolent yellow in the gloom.

    LOCATOR PANEL:
    Cybertron. Before the war.​
    SOUNDWAVE:
    At first, nothing.​
    2 (LINK):
    Eventually, everything.


    2. Starscream’s hand reaches out for the calling card.

    3. Starscream takes the card and looks down at it. The Decepticon logo seems to glow a little in the darkness, as if it is drawing him in.

    4. Main picture: Essentially a reverse of the image on page 1. Starscream stands in all his glory, holding the card in one hand, as if he has just finished looking at it. A smirk has spread over his face, lips curling to one side. Soundwave is in the foreground with his back mostly to us. We know in our hearts what Starscream is about to say.

    STARSCREAM:
    Well then, you’d better tell me more...​


    PAGE 3:

    1. Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker all bowing before a damaged Megatron (all Cybertronian robot mode). This is their introduction to him as seen in “Megatron Origin #3”. Megatron has had a bad match in the gladiator arena. His right arm is new and does not match the rest of his armour and design.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    I used to be in awe of you, Megatron.​
    2:
    I read your treatise and I knew it was right. I also knew more violent methods would be needed to change things.​


    2. Megatron (transforming into tank mode) blasts a hole through a generic arena opponent. There are many in the crowd (all robot mode), but we can clearly see Starscream. He is pleased with the display of violence: for once he is not smirking, this is a full smile. He stands malevolent in a euphoric crowd.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    You have no idea how delighted I was when I heard you were embracing conflict. When Soundwave came to me, how could I turn him down?​


    3. Starscream stands before the Council in Kaon (as in “Megatron Origin #4”).

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    You took me as part of your inner circle.​
    2:
    I was in on the plan to bring about a new order, a new world.​


    4. Continuing from the previous image. Starscream and Soundwave firing on the Council members.

    SFX:
    PIIIUUUHHHM!​
    STARSCREAM V.O/PANEL:
    I launched your war for you. I lit the fuse.​


    PAGE 4:

    1-5. Numerous images of the outbreak of the civil war. Newly aligned Decepticons and Autobots battle one another. Some are in robot mode, others are in their alternate forms. The fights are brutal, energon leaks from dying combatants. In amongst the fighters could be some characters that we recognise. Some are simply defending their homes; others are being caught up in the need to riot. Autobot Guards (the Senate guards seen “Megatron Origin” and “Chaos Theory”) try to repel the growing uprising, but there are simply too many Decepticons. This is devastation the likes of which Cybertron has never seen. The third image is the main one: A mob with self-painted Decepticon logos (make them sloppy and crude) beat a guard to death with hands, feet, and debris. The hatred in their faces is obvious and a few are obviously enjoying themselves.


    PAGE 5:

    1. Starscream frees the captured Decepticons and all other prisoners from the Kaon prison as in “Megatron Origin #4” (all characters robot mode). He presses his hand on a control marked “CONTAINMENT RELEASE”.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    It was me that freed you from confinement.​


    2. As Starscream watches, Megatron straps on his arm cannon for the first time and...

    MEGATRON:
    Hmm. Yes.​
    2 (LINK):
    There’s something about this.​
    STARSCREAM:
    Heh... Something to make sure that a fair fight is the other guy’s problem.​


    3. ...Blows a hole in the side of the prison.

    SFX:
    KA-THOOOM!​


    4. Outside the prison’s destroyed wall, Megatron stands with his back to the former prisoners, arms raised.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    You may have given the marching orders, but you’d have been nowhere without me.​
    MEGATRON:
    Fall on them as predators do prey. Show no mercy. Everything. All of this—​
    2 (LINK):
    --Burns.​


    PAGE 6 & 7 (DOUBLE-PAGE SPREAD):

    1. Megatron and Sentinel Prime are locked in battle (both robot mode; the latter wearing his Apex Armour). (This picture covers the top third of page 6, overlapping the main picture.)

    2. Main picture: From above, we see Kaon. The city is in the throes of chaos. Flames rise up into the night, buildings have collapsed. Seekers (Cybertronian jet mode) swoop over the city firing; Autobot Security flyers pursue them. It makes no difference, this city – this planet! – will never be the same again.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    I set the world on fire that night...​


    3. Megatron stands over the dead body of Sentinel Prime. Both have more damage than in the earlier picture – this has been a long fight and both have scored hits. (Like the first picture, this one overlaps the main image and covers the bottom third of page 7.)

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    ...All you did was kill a Prime.​
     
  2. Shockscream

    Shockscream Chairman of Nerd Day

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    PAGE 8:

    1. Starscream follows behind Megatron (both Cybertronian robot mode) as they walk down a stark, grey corridor towards a door. Megatron has no damage, this is much later.

    LOCATOR PANEL:
    Decepticon Command Bunker. During the war.​
    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    And for all that, I deserved more than what you gave me.​


    2. Inside a room bathed in purple/pink light stands Sixshot and a hologram of Black Shadow – who is the source of the light (both are in robot mode). At the centre of the room, a hemisphere glows in the same colour as Black Shadow. A small bank of computer interfaces are visible off to one side. Megatron and Starscream can be seen in silhouette against the light.

    STARSCREAM:
    What is he doing here?​


    3. Megatron faces Starscream. The Decepticon leader is visibly angry. Starscream points at Sixshot.

    MEGATRON:
    I thought us beyond petty hatred, Starscream.​
    STARSCREAM:
    Sixshot is a danger to us all just by being here!​
    2 (LINK):
    How am I to protect you against power such as that?​
    MEGATRON:
    How dare you! I...


    4. Starscream flying backwards from us. One of Megatron’s hands can be seen at the bottom of the image; this is Megatron’s POV. One hand was all it took to send him flying.

    MEGATRON (OFF):
    ...am MEGATRON!


    5. Starscream is slumped against a wall. Energon trickles slightly from a gash in his lower lip. He holds his left hand to his head as he supports his weight with the other.

    MEGATRON (OFF):
    I need no protection!
    2 (LINK):
    Especially not from a weak-minded fool like you!​


    6. Starscream is half-way standing, resting on his left knee and right hand. The energon is still on his lip. Megatron has turned away. Sixshot smiles.

    MEGATRON:
    Now, be of some use and connect me to Overlord on Caldoon 4.​
    STARSCREAM:
    By your command, Lord Megatron.​


    PAGE 9:

    1. Overlord (robot mode) appears in the room. He is made of the same purple/pink light as Black Shadow. (The image is the opposite of that found in “Last Stand of the Wreckers #2”.)

    OVERLORD:
    Apologies, Megatron. Unlike Sixshot and Black Shadow, I have my hands full.​
    MEGATRON:
    Not anymore, Overlord. You’ve just fought your last campaign.​
    2 (LINK):
    Bigger and better things await.​


    2. In the foreground, behind the talking figures, stands the damaged Starscream. The energon coming from his mouth has been wiped, but a gash remains with other signs of damage. A dark look clouds his face. We can just see the backs of Megatron and Sixshot, they block the other two.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    I know what’s coming with this conversation. All of it...​


    3. Megatron, to the left of the panel, stands proud as he delivers his instructions to Sixshot, Black Shadow, and Overlord. Sixshot and Black Shadow clench their fists in delight as they speak.

    MEGATRON:
    I’ve finalised the six-stage infiltration protocol. You three will be my phase-sixers, visiting planets on the brink of collapse and crushing our opponents in the name of the Decepticons.​
    SIXSHOT & BLACK SHADOW:
    For the Decepticons!​


    4. Close on Starscream. A slight sneer has appeared on his face.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    ...And there are times when I hate being right.​
    OVERLORD (OFF):
    And what if, unlike these two, I aspire to be more than your little pet warhead?​
    MEGATRON (OFF):
    Then you have two options, Overlord.​


    5. Megatron looms in towards Overlord (refer to the panel in “Last Stand of the Wreckers #2”). Starscream’s face can be seen in the background, illuminated by the purple/pink light.

    MEGATRON:
    Option 1... You do as I say. Option 2... You don’t.​
    2 (LINK):
    Oh, and with Option 2, I hunt you down and tear you limb from limb.​
    3 (LINK):
    So what’s it to be?​


    6. Overlord’s hologram disappears from the room.


    PAGE 10:

    1. Close on Megatron’s face, angry.

    MEGATRON:
    He’s going to run.​


    2. Sixshot and Black Shadow (the latter still a hologram) exchange a glance towards each other. Megatron stands in the foreground between the two with his back to us.

    SIXSHOT:
    Allow us to pursue him, Lord Megatron.​
    BLACK SHADOW:
    It will be a demonstration of our loyalty and worthiness.​


    3. Back to Megatron. The anger has faded, replaced by a look of cold calculation and borderline amusement.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    I know him too well. I know there’s more punishment in store for me.​
    MEGATRON:
    No. Leave us. You will be contacted with assignments soon enough.​
    2 (LINK):
    Starscream...​


    4. Main picture: Megatron has turned to face Starscream. The room is darker now that the holograms and Sixshot have gone. Only the hemisphere in the centre of the room is left to light the place. It makes Megatron appear all the more sinister.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    Here it comes.​
    MEGATRON:
    ...Find Overlord.​


    PAGE 11 (SPLASH):

    1. Megatron walks away from Starscream. Some of his body is off the edge of the page. His face betrays no emotion whatsoever. Starscream appears crestfallen. He looks down at the ground.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    A suicide mission.​


    PAGE 12:

    1. Starscream punches his hand into the hologram hemisphere.

    SFX:
    CRR-SSSHHHMM!​
    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    I realised something in that room. I realised I was never going to be equal in your eyes.​


    2. Starscream leaving the hologram chamber. His face is resolute and determined. A piece of glass sticks out from his hand – another wound in a day of wounds – with energon dripping onto the floor as he walks. Behind him, the hemisphere spits out sparks, its glow is gone.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    To you, I was just another pawn...​


    3. Starscream exits the Decepticon Command Bunker, transforming into his alternate mode (still Cybertronian) as he walks along the landing platform.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    ...And I needed to do something unexpected to change that.​


    4. Starscream (now completely transformed to jet mode) leaves the atmosphere of the planet (which is not Cybertron).

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    What better way was there than by doing the impossible and actually bringing Overlord to you?​


    PAGE 13:

    1. Starscream (jet mode) flies over the battlefields of Caldoon 4. Temporary structures are burning, bodies and discarded weapons cover the ground in the aftermath of “Last Stand of the Wreckers #2”.

    LOCATOR PANEL:
    Caldoon 4. Three days later.​


    2. Starscream (transforming into robot mode) lands on the planet. Disgust at Overlord’s methods of planetary conquest is evident on his face. Even for a Decepticon, there is such a thing as too much slaughter.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    I know he won’t be here, but it’s the best place to start.​


    3. From a low angle, we see Starscream approaching a damaged Autobot (robot mode). It is Kup as seen in the battle with Overlord in “Last Stand of the Wreckers #2”. Dents and scorch marks cover him.

    4. Starscream looms over Kup’s face. The old Autobot has been through the wars. Overlord has almost killed him.

    KUP:
    Uugh. Come to finish Overlord’s job, eh? Always following, never leading.​
    STARSCREAM:
    Don’t antagonise me, Autobot. I have no desire to kill you.​
    KUP:
    Ha! That’s a first.​


    5. Starscream lifts Kup to his feet, holding him by both arms.

    STARSCREAM:
    Where’s Overlord?​
    KUP:
    He said to say he’d chosen Option 2.​
    STARSCREAM:
    That’s why Megatron wants him.​


    PAGE 14:

    1. Kup (now standing) hands Starscream a data pad. Kup is somewhat repaired.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    After that revelation, the old Autobot was helpful.​


    2. Over Starscream’s shoulder, looking down at the data pad in his hand. It shows Cladoon 4 (labelled as such) in the top left corner and another planet at the bottom and in the middle (labelled as “WARUDAR”). A dotted red line links the two.

    KUP (OFF):
    This is sensor data from Autobot installations in the area. As you can probably imagine, we like to track Overlord when we can.​
    STARSCREAM:
    Indeed.​
    KUP (OFF):
    Kinda surprised your side doesn’t do the same.​
    STARSCREAM:
    We didn’t need to before.​


    3. Starscream and Kup, face to face from one side.

    KUP:
    Anyway, that was his course. There’s no data of him goin’ elsewhere.​
    STARSCREAM:
    Good. Makes this easier.​


    4. From above, we see Starscream (still in robot mode) taking off using the jets in his feet. Kup, still on the ground and some way below Starscream but still identifiable, watches as the Seeker leaves.

    KUP:
    Easy is the one thing facin’ Overlord won’t be.​
     
  3. Shockscream

    Shockscream Chairman of Nerd Day

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    PAGE 15:

    1. From space we see Starscream (Cybertronian jet mode) approaching another planet. It is ashen and inhospitable.

    LOCATOR PANEL:
    Warudar. Another two days later.​
    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    I would never have told Kup this, but I know this planet.​


    2. Starscream (now in robot mode) stalks across the landscape of Warudar. In the distance, there are twisting, helical structures built from the local mud. They look like something a race of human-sized insects would build.

    3. Starscream walks through a rock wall. The holographic image of the rocks blurs around his body as he steps through.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    Shockwave had a lab here. But it was decommissioned long before he disappeared, before Bludgeon was ordered to investigate his projects.​


    4. Starscream walks through a gloomy corridor in Shockwave’s lab. It has obviously been abandoned for some time now, dust coats everything.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    And now Overlord has a bolthole.​


    PAGE 16:

    1. Starscream smiles down at a computer screen that has had the dust wiped off it.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    I know he’s here.​


    2. Starscream walks towards a door that has been left ajar. Again, the dust on the handle has been brushed off, evidenced only by the amount of dust elsewhere on it.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    Too much has been disturbed. Too much screams out...​


    3. Main picture: Starscream looks out over some railings at Overlord (robot mode) on the floor below. There is machinery and piping hanging from the ceiling. Overlord walks amongst it all, inspecting.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    “Overlord is here!”


    PAGE 17:

    1. On Overlord. Above, at the railings, Starscream fires his weapons.

    SFX:
    PIIUUHM!​


    2. An explosion knocks Overlord to the ground.

    SFX:
    BA-KOOM!​


    3. Low, with Starscreams legs in the foreground, we see Overlord lift his head towards his attacker.

    OVERLORD:
    Ha. Hahahaha.​
    2 (LINK):
    It’s you? Seriously?! What does it take?​


    4. Overlord is now standing, there are some superficial scorch marks on his armour. Nothing much harms Overlord. Starscream stands still, his arms outstretched ready to fire his weapons again.

    OVERLORD:
    Megatron has more a sense of humour than I thought.​
    STARSCREAM:
    This isn’t down to Megatron. This is all on me. You are my way back!​


    PAGE 18:

    1. Close on Overlord’s incredulous face.

    OVERLORD:
    Back? Into his good graces?​
    2 (LINK):
    You’re an idiot, Starscream.​


    2. Starscream remains determined, but there is a slight chink in that resolve visible on his face; just a hint that he knows that Overlord is probably right and his plan is flawed. But, for the moment, he persists.

    STARSCREAM:
    No. I defeat you, bring you to him, and he’ll realise—​


    3. Off to one side and behind. Overlord sweeps his right arm out, gesticulating. He is hunched over, looking Starscream in the face. Starscream’s resolve has weakened further.

    OVERLORD:
    He’ll realise nothing. Nothing will change for you if, by some miracle, you manage to best me and drag me back to Megatron.​
    2 (LINK):
    You’ll still be his lackey.​


    4. Close on Starscream’s face. He’s losing it now. His words are more to reinforce himself than anything else.

    STARSCREAM:
    It will prove I am worth recognising. It will make me feared!​
    OVERLORD (OFF):
    Feared? You want respect. Power.​


    5. Encompassing both Starscream and Overlord; side on, facing each other. Overlord remains hunched so he can look the faltering Seeker in the face. Starscream’s weapons have dipped a little as his resolve has slipped away.

    STARSCREAM:
    And what’s wrong with that?!
    OVERLORD:
    Nothing. But you won’t get it like this. Not by dying here.​
    2 (LINK):
    You need an edge.​
    STARSCREAM:
    That’s where you come in.​
    OVERLORD:
    Not exactly...​


    PAGE 19:

    1. Overlord’s and Starscream’s faces are so close their noses are almost touching.

    OVERLORD:
    ...But I can point you in the right direction.​
    STARSCREAM:
    Go on...​


    2. Starscream stands in front of a computer display, still in the lab. It shows Ore-13 in a component, elemental form (as it was viewed by Jetfire and his team in “Strombringer #1”).

    OVERLORD V.O./PANEL:
    Shockwave. And Regenesis.​


    3. Main picture: Starscream, bathed in the light of the computer screen, grins in anticipation.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    Overlord is right. Shockwave’s research was the edge I needed, not a vainglorious show of battle prowess. After all, that’s not me.​


    PAGE 20:

    1. Overlord stands behind Starscream, who remains in front of the computer. The screen now reads “DOWNLOADING: 42% COMPLTETE”.

    STARSCREAM:
    Why are you here, anyway?​
    OVERLORD:
    Not for this stuff, don’t worry. I don’t need it.​


    2. Starscream’s head turns to the side to look back at Overlord.

    STARSCREAM:
    Doesn’t exactly answer the question.​
    OVERLORD:
    Fine. Shockwave infected me with the Achilles Virus, a blind spot in my abilities when it comes to reading Megatron. I want it gone.​
    STARSCREAM:
    You want to fight Megatron. Why?​


    3. Overlord walks out of the room.

    OVERLORD:
    To see what happens.​
    2 (LINK):
    See ya around, Screamer.​


    4. Starscream turns back to the screen. It now reads “DOWNLOAD COMPLETED – REMOVE STORAGE DEVICE”.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    I have it all now. Shockwave’s research is my way to the top...​


    5. In his imagination, Starscream stands resplendent with a crown, shoulder armour, and a cape. Megatron (still in his pre-Earth body) is battered, broken, and dead at Starscream’s feet. All around him, the Decepticons prostrate themselves before him.

    STARSCREAM V.O/PANEL:
    ...My way to leadership of the Decepticons!​


    PAGE 21:

    1. Starscream (transforming from Cybertronian jet to robot) lands outside the Decepticon Command Bunker.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    My plans made, I return to the Decepticon HQ. I know which planets Shockwave seeded; all I have to do is wait for the right opportunity.​


    2. Starscream walks past other Decepticons (any characters; all robot mode) as they point and laugh to themselves about him.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    I suffer the ridicule...​
    GENERIC:
    Guess you just weren’t up to the job, Starscream.​
    ALL GENERICS:
    Hahahaha!​


    3. Megatron (robot mode) thrusts an energon prod into Starscream’s chest. Starscream screams in agony as the energy crackles along his body.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    ...And the punishments.​
    STARSCREAM:
    Aaaaahhhhhggggg!​


    4. Megatron stands in front of numerous Decepticon commanders. Starscream, Darkwing, Onslaught, Motormaster, and Skyquake (all pre-Earth robot mode). Beside Megatron is a holographic map of Earth.

    STARSCREAM V.O./PANEL:
    Because I know, eventually, my time will come.​
    MEGATRON:
    I need one of you to lead the infiltration brigade assigned to Earth.​
    2 (LINK):
    Starscream, perhaps you can prove your worth with this simple assignment.​


    PAGE 22 (SPLASH):

    1. Starscream (robot mode) stands in his newly configured Earth form. In his hand is the first sample of Ore-13 mined by the Decepticons. His smile is the largest we have seen. This is the culmination of everything he had planned. With this substance, he will take his rightful place as the leader of the Decepticons.

    STARSCREAM:
    It’s my time now!​
    PANEL:
    End.​
     
  4. ARCTrooperAlpha

    ARCTrooperAlpha Well-Known Member

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    Ha !!!!

    Ths is gold !!!!!
     
  5. Autobot Hound

    Autobot Hound Combaticon

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    Love it!!! :D  I could definitely see this....
     
  6. Shockscream

    Shockscream Chairman of Nerd Day

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    Thank you for the kind words.
     
  7. WilyMech

    WilyMech Well-Known Member

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    I like it as well.
     
  8. Meta777

    Meta777 Dr Pepper Fan

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    This is a really cool and interesting read! I like how you've portrayed Starscream's story in a script format from past to present; very nice! :D 

    I profusely enjoyed reading this. Well done! :D 
     
  9. Ømnidrive

    Ømnidrive Stop.....think......fart.....and keep on going

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    It was okay....................read better

    *Hiding the fact I had a nerd-gasm from this sheer EPICNESS of the story* :lol 

    Yep.........it's okay