Chapter 1
Soundwave remained limp and compliant as he was tossed carelessly into the brig by the twin hellions, sprawling across the floor limply. He paused, waiting for the familiar crackle of the energon bars activating before he relaxed, sitting up and looking around. After he was sure he was alone he began searching for those hidden clasps that hadn't seen use in vorns.
He managed to remove most of his bulk by removing superficial pieces of armor, including part of his legs and arms before moving on to his cassette tray self-consciously. He didn't want to remove it… but it felt so heavy on his frame and he just wanted to curl up with his cassettes and the armor would only get in the way. He removed the thick blue metal before ejecting his cassettes.
"Hey, Boss, what's up?" Soundwave stared down at Rumble, using the cassette-carrier bond to show the cassette what was wrong. Rumble immediately sympathized and climbed onto the berth Soundwave was seated on, Frenzy pressing up against Soundwave's side comfortingly. Rumble, Frenzy and Ratbat were the only cassettes who weren't Soundwave's own creations, but the cassette-carrier bond made the somewhat dependent on the player and emotionally attached in the same way as cassettes.
Soundwave sighed and laid back, Rumble and Frenzy sharing a brief, hidden thought over their twin bond.
::Man, I never remember seeing Soundwave without his armor.::
::He's pretty hot, isn't he?::
Before Rumble could respond there was a voice at the cell door and Soundwave stood, Ratbat hanging from his side along with Laserbeak and Buzzsaw on his shoulders. Ravage pawed after his creator carefully while Rumble and Frenzy flanked their carrier in a manner that a pair of body guards might.
"Care to explain why two of my warriors brought you here willingly?" Optimus asked, quirking an optic ridge at the carrier. Soundwave straightened.
"Soundwave: requests sanctuary and leniency." Optimus outright raised an optic ridge at that, looking at Soundwave's discarded armor skeptically.
"And what brought about this change of spark?" Soundwave stiffened, optic narrowed as he stood before the Prime.
"Concern: None of Prime's or Autobots'."
Optimus straightened as well, standing a good head taller than Soundwave.
"It is a concern of mine when the safety of my troops is compromised. How do I know that this isn't some elaborate plan Megatron set up?" it was exactly his style too. Sound wave paused, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw and Ratbat detaching from their carrier on a thought, the other cassettes looking politely away as Soundwave reached up to unclasp his cassette tray and abdominal armor. Everything clattered to the floor and Optimus stared at the barred body before him.
Soundwave's chest and abdomen harbored a complex system or tubes, wires and chambers, specifically designed to carry developing protoforms, more than one it seemed as well. The tight, compact metal skeletons were curled within the transparent metal chambers and Optimus blinked at the sight of Soundwave's spark. It was a shimmering gold, not the usual Decepticon red or even neutral purple. Optimus found himself captivated by the sight, catching himself before he leaned forward to get a better look at the cassette player's most intimate parts. Optimus looked away and nodded.
"You're a B class mech." He murmured and Soundwave nodded forlornly.
"Megatron: Planned to spawn more Decepticon warriors. Soundwave: Does not wish to be used again."
Optimus nodded. He had been one of the few Cybertronians who had frowned upon the use of Breeder bots. It was a violation of Cybertronian rights and literal sex slavery. While every circuit in Optimus ached to allow the cassette player complete and total freedom and amnesty and to promise protection, he knew it was not his place to do so.
"I will talk with my officers concerning your dilemma. For now you shall remain here."
Soundwave nodded and Optimus stared at the carrier before turning to leave, keenly aware of a red visor staring at his back.
Optimus knew to expect a riot, but this went beyond what he would have expected, even from his particular band of officers.
"Ya can't be serious, Prahm!" Ironhide barked, trying very hard to remain seated, even though it was obvious every instinct told him to go down to the brig and shoot Soundwave.
"I agree, allowing Soundwave amnesty? After all of his crimes?" Prowl asked, Red Alert seconding his mate's words.
"His crimes and past actions are most likely a result of his need for freedom. After all, the Autobots were the ones to support the Breeder programs and most Breeders were Decepticon slaves." Optimus stated reasonably, trying to calm his officers down.
"I still think it would be unwise to leave him in a room without any security-"
"He would not remain here as a prisoner, Red Alert, he would not be treated as one." Optimus stated firmly.
"Sh still don' like it, Prahm, what if he's here for information?"
"Which is why we will give him plenty of time to show his intentions, and no opportunities to steal information should that be his real purpose for being here." Optimus' statement was met with silence and Optimus continued. "He shall remain in the brig, separated from his cassettes, for a joor, after that we shall transfer him to private quarters."
There were some mumbles of agreement, but in the end it was settled:
Soundwave was staying.