Author's Note: Ugh, I'm too nice. Here's the next part, because I have a handful of subscribers and I want to get this story all posted before I forget about it (like I know I eventually will). However, if I don't get at least FIVE (5) reviews, I'm not posting the third and final part. I don't care if it's long and thoughtful or just a smiley face (or frowny face, depending on how you like the story), just give me something! Subscribing is wonderful, I appreciate that so much, but review's are more potent in making me want to post more quickly! So PLEASE, I'm begging you, review! Only five, it's not that much! C'mon, I know you can do it!
Disclaimer: Not mine. Darn...
Flyaway
Part II
Soundwave's reaction upon discovering Rumble bearing the body of Laserbeak on the doorstep of the base was indeterminable; the communications officer was as stoic and emotionless as ever, the mask and visor that had successfully hidden his face his entire life did not falter in the slightest. Instead he only ordered Rumble to transform, gathered the blue Cassette within his chassis, and collected Laserbeak's small body in his large hands with a grace surprising of his massive size.
Soundwave made his solemn procession from the main entrance to his office with an unwavering pace, he was neither in a rush nor was he taking his time; he was merely walking as he usually did. Heads turned as the stoic mech passed, glancing between him and his precious cargo; unsure of what to think or how to react. Some silently wondered how much the dark blue mech could take before he snapped; first his Cassette Frenzy had been sent to Earth and now Laserbeak had been killed. Who was next? Ravage? Ratbat? Surely Soundwave was feeling something about the loss of his Cassettes, his children, the only beings that knew the real Soundwave.
Inside the chassis of his father, Rumble sulked. Only the light pressure of the Cassette Ravage behind him comforted him; though the mechanical jaguar wasn't really one to offer comfort, it did Rumble good just to know he was there and well.
"Rumble, Ravage, Buzzsaw: eject."
Rumble's spark lurched; he hadn't realized that the other condor was present; he'd been too caught up in his misery.
Obedient to Soundwave's summons, Rumble ejected himself from his father's chassis, closely followed by Ravage and Buzzsaw. They transformed simultaneously, Rumble and Ravage landed neatly on the floor while Buzzsaw baited in the air.
Only a moment later, the orange condor let out a terrible screech and dived down into Soundwave's hand, his optics ablaze with horror and agony. Rumble slumped to the floor, feeling for all the world like a worthless pile of scrap. He could not bring himself to look up at Buzzsaw as the condor Cassette lamented the loss of his twin. He suddenly had the uncontrollable desire to run and get away from it all; without looking up at Soundwave or the grieving Buzzsaw, Rumble scrambled to his feet and fled the office. He knew that Ravage had seen him leave, nothing escaped the mechanical cat's sharp optics and it wasn't like Rumble was trying to sneak out or anything. He could also be positive that Soundwave had watched his frantic departure as well, but the massive navy blue mech made no move or inclination to stop him.
Rumble ran as fast as he could, stumbling around corners and skidding to brief halts at closed doors, only pausing long enough to open said doors and then continue on his way. He was, at one point, aware of someone shouting at him about his reckless behavior, but the Cassette could not be bothered, he only wanted to get away! It wasn't until he was outside and back at where he had found Laserbeak's body, did he finally stop. He searched the area hastily for any sort of niche in the metallic landscape that he could wedge himself within and shut out the world. He sat huddled like this for countless breems before he heard the rhythmic pulse of wing beats drawing closer.
Buzzsaw.
Rumble offlined his optics, his visor dimming noticeably, and tried to convince himself that the condor Cassette wasn't really there…
'I don't blame you for my brother's death, you know,' Buzzsaw said as he landed in front of Rumble's hidey-hole and peered into its depths. 'I felt his distress just as you did, but you got to him before me and I am eternally grateful. I was playing a recording of information I collected from the Autobots when I sensed it…'
Buzzsaw lowered his head sadly.
'I felt it…right in the very core of my spark when he died, but it wasn't until I saw him in Soundwave's hand that it really hit me that Laserbeak was gone… It's a horrible feeling, one I have no desire of feeling ever again nor do I wish it upon any others…'
"I know the feeling…" muttered Rumble darkly, Buzzsaw tipped his head in confusion and Rumble explained. "Frenzy's dead, too; I knew he shouldn't have gone on that stupid Earth mission!"
'Then we can relate,' stated Buzzsaw curtly. 'I do not see why you have run away, we do not hate you. I do not hate you in the slightest; you're not my twin, but you are still a brother. Now Soundwave wishes to see you, he wants to talk to you and believe it or not, but Ravage is also concerned.'
Rumble snorted at this. "Ravage couldn't care less about me…"
'On the contrary,' came a smooth, feline voice and the large jaguar appeared from the shadows as was typical of the big cat. 'I am not as cold and uncaring as you seem to take me for. Come on, Rumble, quit wallowing in self-pity and come back to the base.'
Ravage's large paw snaked into Rumble's niche and prodded the Cassette impatiently. 'I will not stop until you come out, little brother.'
In hearing the usually smarmy cat call him brother, Rumble felt a small weight lift from his shoulders; Ravage had never called him a brother before. A small smile touched the corners of his lips as Rumble pushed away the jaguar's heavy paw and pulled himself from his hole.
'There now,' said Buzzsaw, 'you see, we do not hate you!'
"It's not just that…" Rumble admitted.
'Then what is it?' asked Ravage, an optic ridge quirked.
"Everything's just so messed up now…Megatron and Starscream ran off with some of our best warriors on that hopeless mission, Thundercracker's abandoned us, we've lost two brothers…and Dad has to deal with the outcome. How much more can he take? How much more can any of us take! I think I'm beginning to see why Thundercracker went berserk and ran away…"
'Thundercracker has always had a guilty conscious, it was only a matter of time before it got the better of him,' hissed Ravage, contempt laced in every word.
'Do not think you know what was going on in Thundercracker's head because Thundercracker was not of sane mind,' said Buzzsaw, taking wing and baiting just above Ravage's head.
The jaguar growled and batted a paw at the condor, but seemed too lazy to really do anything about it.
'Come now, Rumble, you are being ridiculous,' the mechanical cat admonished lightly. 'Well…more ridiculous than usual…'
"Thanks, Ravage," Rumble replied sarcastically.
'Anytime, little brother, anytime.'
'If you two are done bickering,' interceded Buzzsaw with false irritation, 'I would like to return to base before we short circuit our already stressed father with worry!'
"Yeah…wouldn't want that, now would we?"
'No, we would not,' purred Ravage, giving the blue Cassette a gentle shove with the top of his head in a most cat-like manner and, together, the three of them returned home.
End Note: Remember: FIVE REVIEWS! I really want to post the last part, it's my favorite and I'm most proud of it; I really want to share it with you guys, but you have to let me know that you want it, too!