Hyperion led the way to the viewing room as Senator Ratbat followed behind him. He was a collector of sorts and was willing to give up a rare find for the price the senator was offering. The doors to the room slid open as the two mechs stepped into the room piled high with antiques, rare tablets of literature, and small exotic creatures, both Cybertronian and alien. Finally the two mechs stopped before a pedestal holding up a box sealed inside a plasma case, pink energy between metal bars protecting the object.
"50 million credits," said Hyperion. The senator objected, "My offer was 40 million. If you have a problem with that, perhaps I'll have to report your illegal operations to the Senate."
"Why Senator Ratbat, for such a rare item I require a generous payment." Hyperion was going to milk as much money as he could from the old mech. He leaned in closer to Ratbat and said in a hushed tone, "And I don't think the Senate will be too happy of your purchasing from my operations here." Ratbat growled and took out a small tablet. He wrote down the payment of 50 million credits and showed Hyperion that the transfer from the bank had cleared, the tablet responding with a ding. Hyperion nodded and entered a code onto his wrist module, remotely shutting off the plasma energy and leaving the object unprotected. It was a blue and white, rectangular box the width of Ratbat's chestplates. The Senator quickly realized the alt-mode was an antiquated entertainment system used to amplify instruments and play music at the gatherings of nobility.
"Make it transform," Ratbat commanded. Hyperion grabbed an electric prod from the other side of the room and brought it up to the music player, electrocuting the powered down mech and eliciting a static scream. Soundwave transformed to his robot mode as soon as the sparking prod touched his side, sending a wave of pain down his frame. After landing on his feet in front of the pedestal, his master pointed the prod in his direction and he immediately knelt down with his head bowed.
"Soundwave," said Hyperion, "this is your new Master." Hyperion gestured toward Senator Ratbat who looked down at the mech with discontent.
"This disposable class mech doesn't have a neckband, Hyperion. Where is it?"
"Why senator, I had it removed before your coming so you could place your own seal!" The dealer was bluffing; the young music player had never worn a neckband before.
"Then have my servants bring it in," Ratbat scoffed. Hyperion notified his mechs via comm link to let the servants into the room. Soon two small bots came in, one carrying a neckband and one with a drill and a few large bolts. Senator Ratbat motioned for them to perform their duty and watched them prepare the disposable for banding. Soundwave stood still in the same position as the two servants came up to him, trying not to look up as he glimpsed their faces. One of the servants held his helm down, placing a small, silver band at the back of his neck. Soundwave was beginning to get nervous and started shaking.
"Don't squirm," Hyperion jeered and soon the other servant was drilling into Soundwave's neck and bolting the neckband tight as Soundwave wailed in pain. The procedure was quickly over with and Soundwave remained at his knees, his neck burning and silent tears running down his face. Looking down at the disposable class mech, Ratbat nodded and turned to leave. He hesitated and turned back around, asking Hyperion, "What was the disposable's designation again?"
"Soundwave."
"Come along, Soundwave," Ratbat ordered as he turned to leave once more.
"Yes….Master," Soundwave replied. He slowly stumbled to his feet and followed the senator and his servants out the door, the insignia of the Senate gleaming on the back of his neck.