As for the Starscream clones, well. THAT was just clever writing in the series staff's part.
Literally taking a jab at how most Seeker characters in Transformers
are just repaints of the Starscream toy, and also taking apart Starscream's own twisted psyche.
Depicting each as an aspect of his fragile personality,
from Cowardice, to Arrogance, to "ass kissing."
(As for Slipstream, I feel she is suppose to represent Starscream's 'cunning'
As she is the smartest of the clones.
As to why she is female?, well..I guess one of the animators
just wanted to genderbend Starscream just for a laugh.)