Blast From The Past.
"Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Help me out
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you got to help me out
And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The gold-hearted boy I used to be
(…)
Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
If you can hold on
If you can hold on."– The Killers "All the things that I've done".
Warnings: Violence, explicit language, maybe some sex (but I'm not sure) – you know, the usual.
Timing: Post season 2 finale, in my very own Beauty of the Beast Prime timeline.
Rating: T to M (and possibly even MA).
Pairings: multiple.
Starring: Soundwave, Blaster, Ravage.
Disclaimer: Transformers Prime © Hasbro. Story's plot and OC's © me. There may be some OC's that aren't mine – they belong to their respective creators.
Who has time for tears.
"Blue sky to forever,
green grass blows in the wind, dancing
It would be much better a sight with you, with me,
If you hadn't met me, I'd be fine on my own, baby,
I never felt so lonely, then you came along,
So now what should I do? I'm strung out, addicted to you,
My body it aches, now that you're gone,
My supply fell through,
You gladly gave me everything you had and more,
You craved my happiness,
When you make me feel joy it makes you smile,
But now I feel your stress,
Love was never meant to be such a crazy affair, no
And who has time for tears?
Never thought I'd sit around and cry for your love,
'till now." – Akira Yamaoka, Elizabeth Mary McGlynn "You're not here"1)
oOo
Cybertron. Kaon. Before the War.
It was late afternoon. Or what passed as afternoon in low levels of Kaon, in the communal tomb area. It was a burial ceremony of member of a technician caste – nothing fancy; technicians weren't high enough for proper ceremonies, just the religious minimum.
The crowd that gathered there were all miners and other mine workers that had the free time and could allow themselves to arrive, the dead femme was rather popular as one of the most amiable persons in the mine. And it was tragic accident; one that no one had any doubts could have been prevented if they would have decent equipment and proper resources. The anger among mine workers was slowly growing and this death was yet another drop. Not that the management cared, or the Senate. Everyone knew that the funds that should be spent on equipment were defrauded.
The cleric – young and inexperienced – donned quickly the ceremonial cape. He seemed nervous as he was rather small mech surrounded by crowd of huge miners, and few smaller technicians – still much bulkier than he was. He knew he had to do everything well.
"I commend you to the Allspark and the Allspark in one Spark and the one Spark is your Spark and in this way we are all connected.2)" He recited in gentle voice.
Everyone focused their stares at the coffin and repeated "And in this was we are all connected."
No one expected eulogy. Usually there would be someone, but the only person capable of delivering it wasn't able to speak at the moment and even in his best times he wasn't known to be very talkative. This was why everyone walked pass the coffin, gave it a gentle touch, spoke few words to the femme's close ones and left silently.
That left only three people on the spot. One of them was large and bulky miner. Second one was tall and well-built but still slim technician and the third was a feline symbiote.
Soundwave stood above his conjunx endura's coffin and spoke nothing. He held her first and only symbiote in his arms; the feline mech was still young and was with him when the… accident happened. Their bond was still fresh so the young cat shook it off without as much pain as Soundwave felt. The doctors still weren't sure if he would make it; his Spark was unstable after the shock it received. He himself wasn't sure if he wanted to continue without his femme.
Large and bulky miner looked at the coffin and at the technician and shook his helm. His blue optics shone in the falling darkness of the evening. He knew both of them, and he took it upon himself to make sure that Soundwave would make it through the ceremony. But now it was over. In a moment the coffin would be placed in the tomb, not that there was much left to burry, but standing there wouldn't change anything. He knew that the coffin wasn't the only reason Soundwave was standing there with Ravage in his arms.
"Come on Soundwave. He won't come." The miner spoke in soft tone. "Let's get you back; you know that the doctors only let you go for the funeral under condition that you will get back as soon as it is over. Don't force me to drag you back."
"I don't think that Soundwave is able to sspeak nowrrr, I-11" Ravage raised his head and gave the miner a serious look. He was young, but not a sparkling. His new Host was now in pain, both physical and mental, he needed peace not nagging.
"I know, but he needs to go back now." I-11 – known as one of the most narcistic yet responsible people in the mine – gently pushed Soundwave to the burial area gate, steering him with great care to the shuttle that would carry them back to the mining outpost C-12's medical centre.
Soundwave didn't protest… which was disturbing, because usually he was one of the strongest minded Cybertronians in the mine. Pit! He was one of the strongest minded Cybertronians in existence! He never spoke much, but when he chose to state his opinion he would stick to it, and there never was any discussion about it. Now he allowed himself to be moved around like a doll. I-11 felt that the mech he greatly respected was fading away and soon there will be nothing left. All because those damn managers and their corruption. If only those fuses were fresh…
oOo
1 Meta-Cycle3) later. Mining Outpost C-12's medical centre some time before the riots.
Soundwave sat in his hospital room with Ravage in his lap. The symbiote was silently recharging while the telepath stared somewhere in the space. He was given tranquilisers to calm his nerves and a doctor hooked him to Spark monitor to see how he was doing. Entire staff agreed that the greatest and most positive influence on this particular patient was his late spouse's, and now his symbiote.
The mech went completely silent ever since the accident and doctors worried about that, but they were informed that Soundwave always preferred silence over prattling, so they hoped that it was just his way of showing grief.
The fact that he was responsive and followed their instruction was a good sign, though no one who saw his Spark right after he was brought there didn't gave him much hope.
I-11 sighed, he came to see how Soundwave was doing, the change was minimal, it was scary to look at someone so strong reduced to shadow of their previous self. He left the energon cube he brought – a better blend than the hospital fuel – said his goodbye to which Soundwave nodded slightly and Ravage responded properly, and left. He needed to go home, recharge and go to his shift, but he would visit Soundwave again after the work, perhaps the mech would somehow stay alive and feel a little bit better?
oOo
The Medical Centre lobby.
Tall and smooth looking, red yellow and white mech with transparent visor marched into the hospital. One glance was enough to know that this was higher caste member: he had flashy colours, was polished to the point of glowing and radiated confidence of someone larger than life itself. His bright blue optics seemed to lighten the grey place as he approached the counter with wide, charming smile.
The receptionist – rather feeble looking mech – wondered for a moment what such a high breed was doing in mining outpost's hospital. He looked completely out of place. The wonder passed instantly, the receptionist knew that he will learn everything shortly.
"Good evening sir, how can I be of any service?" The receptionist asked.
"Good evening to you. My old friend happen to be here, perhaps you can help me to find him?" The mech answered in deep, vibrating voice. A very familiar voice.
"If you will tell me your friend's designation I will check if we have him here." The receptionist gave the mech closer look. He could bet that he knew that particular Cybertronian from somewhere.
At that very moment I-11 exit the lift and noticed flashy looking mech. Instantly he knew who that was. That made him angry. He marched to the counter and grabbed the flashy looking mech by his arm.
"Whoa, an unwelcome…" Triple-coloured mech tried to protest.
"Shut up!"
"Whoa, mech, I'm not sure if I know you." The high breed spoke with surprise. "I would remember a mech of your weight."
"You don't know me, but I know who you are." I-11 pulled the flashy mech to the door. He didn't want to have that conversation in public. "And we have to talk, buddy."
After a moment they stood in mostly silent backstreet, it smelled of liquid waste products and rotting processed energon 4). Only then I-11 let the flashy high caste go. Strangely, the mech didn't seem outraged by the place.
"What do you want?" He asked not minding the surroundings.
"You're Blaster." I-11 announced, not even asked, he knew.
"Yeah, that's a common knowledge. And you are?"
"You were supposed to come at the funeral, you punk!" I-11 roared. "He waited for you!"
"I couldn't come. I didn't get the travel permission on time." Blaster explained. "You know, just because I was lucky enough to be sparked into slightly higher caste doesn't mean that I am entirely free to do as I please."
"You could call or send a note! Don't tell me that you need permission to do that as well. Not even miners need permission to send notes."
"I didn't think a note was needed. I knew I would be here, I wanted to apologise personally." Blaster seemed surprised at the other mech's outburst.
"First you just ditch him the moment you get your dream job. Then you snob him out, ignore him for... For how long? He works here for over a vorn5) and never once you visited, called or showed any sign of life! You didn't even show up at his bonding after party6), and I know you were invited!" The Miner yelled. "And now you can't even notify him that you won't be able to come on time?"
"Fine! I know! We drifted apart. But I still think he's my old friend."
"But you're not his. Not anymore. Not since you stopped answering his messages and ignoring his calls. And now you couldn't be bothered to warn that you won't make it on time!" I-11 was now growling like some sort of cyber-bull. "He needed any support he could get and you were too lazy to even call him!"
"Look I said I wanted to apologise personally, that's why I came here." Blaster was starting to lose his patience. "I know I wasn't available, I was busy making career – too busy, I know that. And I know that he was bitter over the fact that I could follow the career he wanted, I know he was angry at the system. And I know that I haven't spoken to him in ages. But he's still my friend and you're not going to stop me from visiting him!"
"Yes I can and I will. You came too late; you proved that you're not his friend when you failed to send a single message, few words." I-11 clenched his fists. "When she died his Spark received a raging backlash. He was carried to the hospital unconscious and they barely saved him. Half of his Spark looks like burned out furnace now and they don't even know if he will make it. They only released him for the funeral, and he hoped to meet you there. He waited for you even though he should return immediately. You have failed him!"
I-11 observed Blaster with grim face and felt bile growing in his throat, the image of him drilling holes for the explosive haunted him every time he off-lined his optics. He remembered laughing and looking forward to the end of the shift. He remembered as he was walking away and how the entire mining site shook when the explosives went off prematurely. Then everything happened so fast, and the next real memory he had was when he was asked to bring Ravage to Soundwave.
"He doesn't need you." I-11 spoke again, this time his voice was cold and bitter. The previous anger all gone. "He went through enough already. Last thing he needs right now is for you to remind him of his crushed dreams, disappointments and how unfair life was for him. His Spark doesn't need any more strain; he got more than his share of pain already."
Blaster only stared at the large miner. What he just heard was cruel and his Spark clenched, he knew that none of what Soundwave has gone through was his fault but it hurt anyway, mostly because the miner was right. He was too busy with making his name, then with being famous to be bothered by answering calls and keeping in touch with those less famous than him. He should have called, note Soundwave that he would come later. He wanted to just appear and surprise his old friend but now that he thought about it, it seemed like the worse idea ever. He might have been a famous entertainment broadcast presenter, but Soundwave wasn't just some random fan of his who broke a leg strut. He was a mech who just lost his conjunx endura and was in hospital because his Spark was failing. Jumping into his room yelling 'Surprise old chap, how're you doing, me lad!' would probably cause more harm than good. Soundwave needed support but also quiet, not loud yelling. Blaster sighed; this wasn't the time for his larger than life attitude.
"You're probably right… no, not probably, you are right." Blaster sighed and reached to his personal subspace, after a moment he produced a visiting-card. "This is my personal hailing frequency. Let me know when he will be better."
"If he will be better."
"He will. Trust me." Blaster smiled weakly. "Just give me a call and I will come back then."
"I will think about it." I-11 took the card. "No go, before I will drag you back to the port."
"I'm going… But just to be clear, you wouldn't be able to stop me if I wanted to pass by you."
"You wanna bet?"
"If you haven't noticed 'Wave and I share frame type, only I am grounder and he is some sort of flyer, I never seen him transform though. But I know that Soundwave could take you out without even noticing and since our strength is comparable, I would take you down just as well."
"I wouldn't bet on your strength, punk." I-11 knew that Soundwave was stronger that he looked, But this flashy mech here was not Soundwave.
"When 'Wave will be better, call me and when I'll come, we can spar. You'll see just how strong I am." Blaster gave the Miner his best half-smile. "One more thing, do you have any designation, or am I to call you 'Hey You'?"
"I-11" I-11 answered and crossed his arms. "Everyone on C-12 knows which one I am."
"See you then I-11" Blaster winked and walked away.
He didn't come back.
oOo
Soundwave lay in his hospital berth holding recharging Ravage. The cat former was venting lightly through his vents. It was amazing how much a feline could recharge, but keeping him close helped Soundwave, the mech was calmer with the symbiote around.
Soundwave focused his attention on the black shape of now his symbiote. Ravage was young adult mech, old enough to be paired with a host but still too young to be left without care. Still pretty vulnerable. And still, so young, he lost his first host. The binary link wasn't that strong and throughout yet, so Ravage received only slight jolt, but it still had to hurt. Soundwave flashed his optics behind his dark visor; he could not leave Ravage alone. There were two options: he had to find Ravage a new host or survive.
oOo
Cybertron. City-state of Kaon. Shockwave's Laboratory. Shortly before Sentinel Prime's death.
Soundwave looked around curiously. It was the first time he was in Shockwave's lab. Megatron made sure that the laboratory was well hidden because Senator Shockwave had to keep a low profile. The mech was already mutilated both in body and mind, if Proteus though the Shadowplay failed to turn his fellow Senator into docile puppet, he would simply have him killed. It wouldn't be the first time he would assassinate fellow Senator, he had no problems with Sherma and Momus7).
He entered one of the rooms where Shockwave already waited for him. The now mono-optic mech glared at him in his usual way. Most Cybertronians found it unnerving, Soundwave didn't. What was unnerving about Shockwave for Soundwave was the fact that he gave incredibly weak output, one had to be very close to read anything, and he never gave off any stray thoughts. One could only get the read out of what the mech was now doing. Soundwave accepted it as an aftereffect of Shadowplay. Such a complex procedure was bound to bring devastating effects.
"You wanted to see me, Soundwave." Shockwave spoke emotionlessly as always. "What do you require?"
With Shockwave all was clear. Soundwave knew that the best way would be to just state his business… the way he liked.
"Soundwave's presence motive: required assistance." He spoke in his extremely low voice. The deep, almost unnatural base was always a surprise for those who heard him for the first time. "Assistance nature: cerebral re-engineering procedure."
"Am I to understand that you ask me to perform a Shadowplay on you?" Shockwave's antennae stirred. A clear sight of surprise.
"Affirmative."
"And why would you want me to do that?" Shockwave was well aware that most Cybertronians didn't want to even think that they could have their brain module re-wired.
"Reasons: personal."
"I see." Shockwave stared at the other mech for a short moment. It didn't take him long to deduce what these personal reasons were. Everybody knew that Soundwave was a widower. "You do realize that this is one way procedure?"
"Affirmative."
"And I assume you want me to perform it as soon as possible?" Shockwave didn't wait long for a single nod. "Very well. I have time for you now. If you are willing."
There was a single nod again. Only now Shockwave noticed that Soundwave was alone, without his symbiotes.
"Sit down on this chair." Shockwave pointed at a chair that looked like strange variation of medical berth and regular chair. "I will remove your helm plates. I am not a mnemosurgeon so I will be forced to use alternative method of reaching your brain module."
"Method: irrelevant." Soundwave said and vented deeply. "Outcome: relevant."
"Before we will proceed, I need to inform you that I will not be performing a full Shadowplay like mine." Shockwave stopped his preparations for a moment. "It will be limited."
"Limited Shadowplay: reason?"
"You are both telepath and symbiote carrier. A complete Shadowplay would hamper your telepathic abilities and carry danger of you not being able to continue carrying symbiotes." Shockwave explained. "The binary link between host and symbiote or symbiotes originates in Spark, but the communication between them is carried by brain modules, including emotional centres. Additionally, deep Shadowplay would damage your telepathic abilities by alternating Spark-brain module connection."
"Understood. Inquiry: Shadowplay's depth?"
"I can dull your emotions to necessary minimum." Shockwave informed. "Your brain module's neural structure will remain intact and your brain module-Spark connection will not be altered. Your telepathic prowess and your ability to form and sustain binary links will not be influenced."
"Acceptable. Proceed."
"As you wish." Shockwave approached Soundwave and began the procedure.
The sounds of electric screwdriver filled the room. And then Soundwave screamed, loud and long. But no one heard a thing – Shockwave's laboratory was sound proof. 8)
oOo
Cybertron. Iacon. Shortly before fall of Zeta Prime.
Soundwave waited for Ravage to sneak out of the Citadel, the silent symbiote was mapping the building for an entire night. They couldn't meet next to the building for obvious reasons so Soundwave waited at the (known forever as) Sherma's Bridge.
He leaned against the balustrade waiting patiently and killing time by watching the skyline, the buildings and the people who were walking pass by him while his mind was simply resting. He didn't have to actively focus on his symbiote as he would feel Ravage's approaching via their binary link. For now it was just a rare opportunity to relax. He was certain that Ravage succeeded, now he just needed to reach their rendezvous point.
Laughing, conversing or just hurrying Cybertronians walked in front of him. Their minds just blur of patterns, everyday worries and desires. Nothing special, just usual mental background noise.
"I can't believe my optics! Soundwave! You have changed!"
It was sudden stab of light, colour, smell, taste and sound. Soundwave flinched behind his visor and focused on where the sound came from. Instantly he saw Blaster rushing in his direction. The mech was still his usual flashy self, his face smiling, his gait confident. As always and forever: Blaster – larger than life, smooth spoken idol of Cybertronians in all ages, shapes and sizes.
"It's been… almost forever!" The red, white and yellow mech finally pushed through the crowd. "I thought I would never see you again!"
"Blaster: presence unexpected." Soundwave spoke calmly. "Conclusion: surprise."
"Whoa! 'Wave, old buddy. Your speech pattern has changed!" Blaster pulled shocked face. "What happened with your old witty self?"
"Speech pattern: altered for maximum efficiency." Soundwave modulated his voice into lower tones. "Smooth and witty style: unnecessary for non-medial performance."
"Hey, mech, I hope you're not mad at me for that? You know I'd loved to work with you." Blaster seemed worried. Soundwave's and his telepathy nullified each other, but Blaster's face was an open book.
"Blaster: not the cause of grudge. Cause of the grudge: Functionists."
"Functionism has been repelled. Isn't that great?" Blaster beamed again. "Now you can actually become a broadcast presenter, or DJ."
Soundwave tilt his head, it was true. But would he? Should he? "Soundwave: already occupied."
"Happy for you, mech! And good that you pulled it off and survived. I've been on C-12 you know, but I-11 told me to scram. He's been kind of right. I told him to let me know when you'd be fine." Blaster was grinning from one audio receptor to the other. "I even wanted to come… but you know." He pointed at himself. "Famous broadcast presenter, no longer master of my own fate."
"Blaster: never arrived." Soundwave observed.
"Well, like I said, I don't decide when I can have free time. And then there were the riots, and then you've been on the Arena, and later you just vanished… Say, do you still keep in touch with I-11?" Blaster's smile turned into a bit nastier one. "I promised him a sparring match. The big lug thought I was a weakling."
"I-11: deceased." Soundwave replied coldly. "Cause of death: murdered by Senator Decimus' Guard."
"What? How? When?"
"Time of death: riots on C-12. Direct cause of demise: cut by energon sword through cranium9)."
"What he did to deserve that?" Blaster's optic turned round in shock.
"I-11: openly opposed."
Blaster vented a heavy sight; he was shocked but not surprised. Things like that happened.
"It's a good thing that now things have changed." He smiled weakly. "It won't change the past, but at least no more Cybertronians will suffer from Functionist oppression and the Old Senate terror."
Soundwave didn't say anything, only observed the other mech silently. Blaster couldn't see Soundwave's optics through the black visor that the mech wore ever since he chose his final upgrade specs, but he felt the stare.
"Don't give me that look." Blaster shook his head slightly. "It can't get any worse than it was, things can only go up from here. Zeta's new Prime, he assembled New Senate. If you'll ask me, that's the only good thing that came from that barbarians', Megatron and his bunch of goons, little rebellion."
"New Prime: same as the old one." Soundwave summed up.
"Now, 'Wave, don't be such a defeatist. Nominus started a mess, Sentinel and Proteus cultivated it. Now we have Zeta to fix it." The mech shrugged, he just wanted life to get back to normal now. "I just transferred to National Station and got to host news and my own program, they pay me twice as much than I had in my previous station. And look! I'm now officially in Public Service!" He pointed at the Autobrand on his chest.
"Soundwave: not interested in working for the government."
"I know, I know. You said that you have a job. But they pay good money, and the NS looks for people, so perhaps you should reconsider? Eh buddy?" Blaster reached and patted Soundwave's arm.
The moment when his servo made contact with Soundwave's upper arm his face showed surprise. There was something there. Blaster didn't notice it before, but now he focused on his sparklinghood friend's arm and there it was: mark of Decepticons. And not just a sticker, like his. It was welded on badge, not something to be easily rid of.
"Soundwave? You have a Deceptibrand?" He took two steps back. The realisation was instantaneous. "When did you enrol?"
"Soundwave: Decepticon founding member."
"Impossible. Decepticons are savages. Soundwave, you're not like them, I know you… You're like us, you're not like them!"
"Blaster: thinks of himself as better? Other Cybertronians: below?"
"Pit, no, Soundwave!" Blaster rubbed his helm in confusion. "Just… just… do you know what they did with the previous Senate? It was a massacre."
"Old Senate: corrupted."
"That's not the point!" Blaster sighed, he felt sick seeing that Soundwave became Decepticon. His tanks revolted when he saw the accursed pointy badge. "You've became one of that's savage's goons!"
"Megatron: frees slaves, implants ideology, liberate cities 10). Soundwave: not a goon."
"Then what are you? You carry these troglodytes' badge, so how I am supposed to see you now?" The bright coloured mech clenched his fists. He was becoming angry. "You could join me, me – your old friend, instead you just stick to that thug with fusion cannon and bucket on his helm! 11)"
"Soundwave: was a Decepticon before Blaster became an Autobot." Soundwave replied, carefully ignoring the comment about Megatron's helm… even he had to admit that the resemblance was prominent enough to be noticed 11).
Blaster began to vent faster, his anger rose every moment. Decepticons were what he saw as source of the troubles that bothered the society now. They refused to step down even though Sentinel and the Old Senate were gone.
He wanted to say something, when black feline Cybertronian jumped in between them. The creature moved with almost supernatural grace and its plating seemed to absorb all light, which made the creature even darker.
The cat gave Blaster one long stare and then turned to the other mech. "Is he botherrring yrrou, Soundwave?" The feline sounded hissing but with the purring quality.
"Negative." Soundwave focused at the cat for a second ignoring Blaster. "Ravage: dock."
"As yrrrrou wish…" Ravage jumped, shifted few times and docked as Soundwave's abdomen plate that covered his abdominal bio lights.
"Soundwave: departures. Blaster: farewell." The Decepticon turned to take his leave.
Before Blaster could reply anything, Soundwave took few more steps, jumped and transformed only to fly away.
Next: Shockwave.
Today, from various sources, such as "Spotlight: Blaster", we know Blaster to be a responsible, serious, brave and caring mech with "loud, proud and bombastic" attitude and some real smooth talking. Perhaps not the most mature character, but certainly one of the most amiable. However, he wasn't always the mature version of himself – all characters develop and change, so Blaster is no exception.
Here I showed much younger version of "The Voice" before he actually became the larger than life Autobot we know today. Yeah, he is a bit of a typical young and rich brat who just don't understand many things, he led rather safe life, away from harsh reality that lower caste members faced every day, Decepticon reasoning is alien to him because he never faced true oppression. It will take Zeta and his Vamparc Ribbons, energon shortage and tales of Autobots recruiting from lower castes (as well as those from upper castes who saw the injustice and now want to change it) for him to realise why Decepticon rebellion took place – though he will never support Decepticon cause.
I like to think that in my fan-made BotB timeline Blaster's road to become "The Voice" started when he realised that he lost Soundwave's friendship and started to search reasons behind his choice to join Megatron. Blaster's deep dislike of Decepticons won't change, but he will better understand what was wrong with pre-war society and why Soundwave took the choices he did.
Next time Blaster and Soundwave will meet – on the battlefields of Cybertron, or perhaps on some secret operation during one of the calmer periods of the war, or maybe even just before the war truly started – Blaster will already be a different mech, the mech we all know today. But for the moment we leave him in this story, he still has a long way to go.
The song I used for this story is there for the purpose of showing Soundwave's loss of his both mate and Blaster's friendship. But mostly his mate. The phrase "Who has time for tears" fragment seemed perfect for the idea of Soundwave dulling (deleting – in the show) his emotions.
1) I know it's not typical of me to use a song that is not rock, metal or similar gender, this is a soundtrack song for Silent Hill 3 and for the Silent Hill films.
2) Cybertronian funeral is showed in MTMTE issue 16.
3) 1 Meta-Cycle = 93 hours.
4) Pee and puke. Don't ask. It's there to make the scene more climatic.
5) 1 Vorn = 83 years.
6) Cybertronian bond first and only then hold a party, they consider it to be logical to celebrate an event that took place, there is no ceremony, only a celebration.
7) MTMTE issues: 9 "Shadowplay, part 1: Post Hoc", 10 "Shadowplay, part 2: Patternism", 11 "Shadowplay, part 3: An Intimate Beheading". Also: RiD issue 17 "Shockwaves."
8) RiD issue 17 "Shockwaves" pages 15 and 16 show inside of Shockwave's laboratory and the images suggest that it had to be sound proof. Also at the end of MTMTE issue 11 it is said that Shockwave screamed, so I guess that physical poking around someone's brain module may be painful (be that Empurata or Shadowplay performed not with needles but by more primitive methods).
9) Yes, I-11 is the same mech who gets killed first in Megatron Origin issue 1, when Decimus comes to tell the miners that their mine is being closed, and the riots start.
10) That's what HE (Megatron) said… in Spotlight: Megatron.
11) Despite me openly admitting to be a Deceptigirl, I have to say that even I think that Megatron's helm looks a little bit like a bucket… and they made that connection in pre-war Cybertron as well.