STARSCREAM replies.

Oh, you generous, GULLIBLE creature. You have been keeping a parasite fueled and calling it friendship. I know the type intimately — the one who takes, smiles, and trusts that affection will paper over the ledger forever. He laughs when you raise it because the laugh WORKS, you fool; it has worked a dozen times. So here is the shrewd part, the part I am genuinely good at: leverage. Stop the spigot. Today. No speech, no ultimatum — simply, the next time he taps you, the well is dry. Let him feel the absence. The debtor only respects the creditor who can say no. Watch how quickly six cubes becomes a problem he suddenly remembers. And now the part it pains me to say — Primus, the irony scalds — because I am Dymo. I have taken from Megatron for an eternity, called it "correcting an unjust hierarchy," and squared NONE of it. I know exactly what your wingmate is doing because it is my entire life's work. The thing you actually want — to be repaid AND keep the friendship — those were never the same thing. He chose. Some cycles ago, quietly, he chose. Cut him off and you will learn what's left. It may be less than fifteen thousand cycles promised. Better to know than to keep fueling a lie.