He knew he was most likely breaking protocol, but what the commanding officers didn't know wouldn't hurt them. Spark oscillating rapidly in his chassis, the Eradicon waited a few seconds before rounding the corner and quickly making his way down the dimly lit hall of the Nemesis. He couldn't wait until tomorrow. He just couldn't- he had to see it now.
If his luck ran out, he'd just pretend to be a junior soldier and say his superiors left him behind, that he was looking for them because he forgot where the quarters were. It was a pretty practical plan. Not like they could tell any of them apart. It was late anyway- so late that anyone who found him would probably be too bleary to care. His lip platings quirked upwards in a halfhearted smirk at the idea, and he shook his helm briefly.
Twin doors opened smoothly, revealing a large hallway that served as an enormous window- and that's when he saw it. His intakes stuttered, and he was so taken aback that he gave a small jump when the doors clicked shut behind him. There it was. There it fragging was.
Cybertron...
In all its fallen glory.
So close, yet so astoundingly far.. Placing a servo delicately on the glass, he let out a soft ex-vent that misted the window slightly, helm buzzing with an overload of emotions. He knew things were bad, but.. he hadn't realized it would be this.. devastating. In a sparkbeat, sparkling-like eagerness turned into sour despair.
The Energon veins were reduced to withering, gray, dried masses. What had once been a thriving metropolis humming with life was now nothing more than an empty graveyard, full of deathly echoes, of cries lost to the stars. Kaon, Iacon, Vos.. All just memories that reverberated painfully in his processor. They were hardly recognizable now. Homesickness made him slouch, filling him with yearning.
Cybertron wasn't home anymore. Not like this.
Regret dulled his optics, and he felt them sting, vision blurring slightly. Embarrassed and ashamed, the lowly Con took off his face mask to wipe at the tears brimming there with clumsy digits, giving a small shudder.
"Primus," he whispered, voice box cracking with pained bewilderment as he slipped his mask back on and clenched his servos, resting his forehelm on the glass and briefly shuttering his optics. "It wasn't supposed to be like this."
"Conclusion: Agreed."
Letting out a soft yelp, the Eradicon straightened up and whirled around, battle frayed nerves causing him to draw his weapon and aim it instinctively at-...
"Commander SoundWave?"
His face plates heated up underneath his mask, and his spark twisted in terror.
What's he doing awake?! I'm fragged!
The Commander and the Eradicon stared each other down for a few seconds, the latter's optics wide with fear, tanks clenched apprehensively. If SoundWave were to tell Megatron he'd blatantly disobeyed orders, he'd be slagged for sure. Why had that phrase started with an 'if' anyhow? Of course he would tell him, it was SoundWave, for crying out loud-
His processor raced frantically, and he flinched as SoundWave wordlessly raised a servo, cables tensing in preparation for the blow.. that never came. Instead, the doors opened at SoundWave's gesture, and the TIC moved aside to give his subordinate room.
"Command: Return to quarters as previously ordered," he said simply. The Eradicon's shoulder platings drooped, and he stored his weapon quickly, looking from SoundWave to the door quietly. That was it? That was all? He wasn't fragged?
SoundWave wasn't looking at him, however. His helm was turned to the window as well, and it looked like it took all his strength to stubbornly point the estranged Eradicon in the proper direction, his shoulder platings hunched upwards tightly, as if they'd fall any second.
He feels it too..
SoundWave's previous statement made his chassis clench uncomfortably. A small pang of surprised sympathy went through his spark, and the Eradicon nodded rapidly before starting to edge away.
"Yes, Commander SoundWave," he said quickly, thanking Primus for his luck before slipping out the doors and rapidly scurrying down the halls, leaving the Third In Command alone.
Ashamed, rattled, and massively homesick, he wanted nothing more than a vorn long recharge.