I sit in the briefing room, the Star Saber at my side as always, awaiting the arrival of the last of my troops. A scowl of irritation crosses my face. Where is that fool, Wheeljack? I told him to report here over twenty minutes ago. Even if he were on the other side of the base, he should have been here by now.

Were I waiting for any other of my troops, except perhaps Demolisher, I might have reason to suspect that the delay was deliberate. Starscream would do it for the simple fact that it would irritate me. Thrust would do it if he thought he had something to gain by it. And Cyclonus... well who wants to know what goes on in that cross circuited cranium of his? But not Wheeljack, no. I find that I cannot suppress a chuckle at the thought of the black warrior. He is, perhaps, my greatest masterpiece of manipulation to date.

My momentary amusement passed, I think back on why I recruited Wheeljack in the first place. Often, I try to tell myself that I brought him into our ranks for solid military reasons. That I brought him over to my side in order to have a warrior utterly loyal both to the Decepticons as a whole and to myself personally who wasn't a mental midget like Demolisher or a giggling fool like Cyclonus. However, I know that this is untrue. Adept as I am at deceiving others, self-deception has never been my strong suit.

No, the reason I dragged that Autobot's half-melted carcass out of that fire had nothing to do with military sense, but rather with something much simpler; spite. I knew how much it would gall Optimus Prime to see how easily one of his precious Autobots could be turned. I know that every time he must face Wheeljack in battle it twists the dagger a little further into his spark. Oh, he hides it well, but I can see it. Put simply, I recruited Wheeljack to hurt Prime, and I feel no need to justify the action any further.

I must say, though, his skills as a warrior have improved immensely since that long ago fire. Quite the useful little pawn he has turned out to be, yes. Perhaps one day he will realize that it was I who started that fire. And perhaps he, like Demolisher, will someday realize that he is merely a means to an end for me. But by then it will be far too late.

And speaking of late, where *is* he? If I have to send one of the Minicons to find him...Ah, here he is. Finally.

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"What took you so long, Wheeljack?"

"I'm sorry, Megatron sir. I... got distracted. It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't. Now hurry up and take your seat so that we can begin."

"Yessir."

**********************************************************

And as Wheeljack looks away, I allow myself a satisfied smile. Yes, he is quite a good little pawn indeed...