Chapter Two: New Arrival
Loyalties, Shockwave found, were not so easily left behind. Megatron did welcome him with open arms, but only because he served a purpose. Shockwave cursed himself for not being able to lash out, but he held his glossa. After all, Megatron was his outlet back into the Decepticon ranks. Despite believing deep down that he was not exactly worth trusting in, he stayed silent for his own sake. It was the most logical thing to do, he told himself as Megatron led the way through oddly familiar halls to what he presumed was a wing of laboratories. Following close behind the two was a masked, slender con. Soundwave, if he recalled correctly. Despite not working directly alongside the officer, he still recalled his reputation. From the way Soundwave regarded the other purple con, it seemed that his memory too remained sound from their time shared in the war.
Flustered from all the attention he was receiving, he was relieved when everyone went away and he was once again left to himself. Even though he had spent so long hunting for something other than his lonely, droll lifestyle, so much chatter was overwhelming, so the familiarity of some alone time was a relief. He was expected to work alone with groups of men under him, and while he was very well capable of it, he couldn't help be a bit intimidated by it and he chastised himself for letting it get to him.
Keeping with the familiarity, Shockwave inwardly grinned as he took in his surroundings: a neat and tidy lab, condition pristine and clean. Pacing around, the scientist acclimated himself with the bundles of cables and myriad of supplies the Nemesis carried. Putting his own custom tools alongside the latter, the logistics official took note of how the ship's design was very reminiscent of Cybertron. Being on board was not as foreign feeling as he thought it would be. The well known feeling of home was welcoming. Everything else was changing around him and it was a good source of comfort.
Through his nostalgia, however, the purple con once again began to feel the pressure of solitary sinking in. Just then, the doors slid open and in walked two Vehicons, who paused to greet him before returning to work. Ah yes, Shockwave reminisced. Those drones. He had forgotten how ship work was never without a surplus of hands to keep things running. Even though he had crafted them himself, he still appreciated the company, even if it was just having someone know he was there without a word being exchanged. That was all he told himself he needed, and for the time being, it was enough to work with.
But before long, he gave in. The time spent on that rock had been far too long for even the most introverted of personalities. The overwhelming silence made him crave some company. Yes, there were the Vehicons, but they hustled about, busily moving about perpetually. Glancing around the lab one last time, he left to wander the halls.
When met by the other officers, the Vehicons straightened up, ceased their chatter, and looked attentive. While they did stand a bit taller at seeing Shockwave, it was more out of shock than formality. "Sir!" many of them chirped, elevated to once again meet their maker. Shockwave nodded to each of them respectfully, but didn't fail to notice their lack of excessive properness. They acted as if they respected him out of fondness instead of fear. Internally, he found it rather comforting. The other officers regarded him cautiously, besides Megatron who treated him highly, but nonetheless high and mighty himself. It was a relief to be seen more like a cybertronian than a commanding authority.
It was in the analysis hallway that he came across another officer. Standing with several vehicons was Soundwave, seemingly enthralled with his work, feelers tapping away at the panels, in sync with his servos and head movements. Reaching over him, Knockout was muttering under his breath, huffing and fidgeting while he worked as if everyone was in his way. His incessant tapping would bring any other con to a simmer. Shockwave held back a scoff. Just the thought that this unproductive, complaining, self-centered drag-queen would be under his jurisdiction made him want to purge.
Seeing how they were both preoccupied, he went to leave, but Soundwave motioned for him to stay with an outstretched arm. Puzzled, Shockwave stepped closer to the deep violet con.
Is there something you need?" Shockwave asked, tone professional Not a moment later he received an internal com.
"Yes. Current medical and laboratory inventory."
If he had a mouth, Shockwave would have been smiling. "Not going to risk asking Knockout?"
"Knockout: incompetent." he commed in response, tilting his head ever so slightly towards the automobile in question.
Sighing in agreement, Shockwave turned to leave once more before receiving another transmission from the intelligence officer;
"Welcome aboard the Nemesis."
With a backwards glance, Shockwave didn't fail to notice Soundwave's rather expressive posture, his body turned to face him and his shoulders relaxed in an almost inviting manner. He rotated partially back to his station, nodded curtly, and resumed his work.
As Shockwave made his way back to the lab, he pondered if the con he had thought to be so stoic had actually been nice to him. He could've sworn there was some feeling behind the simple gesture. Still, he liked how efficient he was and how his attitude was anything but vain. It was a nice change compared to the cons he was usually forced to interact with in the past. He wondered if he might figure out if Soundwave was hiding something under that mask.
