"Of course it can be done," Shockwave told Hook via the com-link. "These flesh creatures are primitive. But why do you want to implant such a device?"
"Rumble is becoming attached to the flesh creature and wants to spark bond with her," Hook replied. "I think we should wait for Soundwave's approval."
"Agreed," Shockwave concurred. "Megatron must also be made aware of this procedure."
"Of course, Shockwave," Hook said, but didn't intend to tell Megatron. Not until Soundwave knew first, anyway. After all, if Andelyn bonded with Rumble, she would have a weak telepathic connection to Soundwave as well. At least he should make the initial decision.
Megatron, Soundwave and the other Decepticons returned from Peru, having been once again outwitted and defeated by the Autobots and their human supporters. As usual, Megatron was in a bad mood and especially irritated with Starscream, and he retreated to his quarters to devise a new plan.
Soundwave, on the other hand, was virtually unflappable, and calmly began sorting through the data Rumble and Andelyn had retrieved earlier. Rumble quietly approached his superior.
"Soundwave, can I ask something?" Rumble sheepishly asked him.
"What is it, Rumble?" Soundwave questioned the little cassetticon. He could sense Rumble was anxious about something and it had to do with the organic.
"Hook asked Shockwave who said he could do it and we had to ask you and…" Rumble babbled.
"Slow down, Rumble. You are not making sense."
Rumble sighed. This was not going to be easy.
"I wanna bond with the squishie," he mumbled, averting his optics from Soundwave, fearing he would be punished for such a crazy idea. "Hook said he could implant a device in her."
"Why?" Soundwave queried. He had never seen Rumble so interested in a flesh creature before.
"I really like Andelyn. I dunno why, but I do," Rumble said, still looking away.
Soundwave thought for a moment. He cared for his cassette team; they were like sparklings to him. The bonding would be essentially harmless, and it would make Rumble happy. On the other hand, the weak telepathic connection Andelyn would share with Soundwave through Rumble may prove beneficial to the Decepticons.
"You have my permission," Soundwave told Rumble. "But I need to inform Megatron as well."
In the Decepticon repair bay, Hook was preparing to implant the device that Shockwave had designed into Andelyn. Megatron had half-heartedly approved the procedure, since he was more concerned over his defeat by the Autobots, and was currently uninterested in the activities of the organic. Rumble and Soundwave watched the procedure from the viewing room, since Hook did not like having anyone in the way while he worked. Andelyn was sedated, and Hook carefully implanted the device into her abdomen, meticulously connecting it to her nervous system. The device would allow her to share her life force with Rumble and receive a portion of his spark, through which they would share memories and feelings, both physical and psychological.
Andelyn awoke from the procedure to find Rumble standing over her. She blinked a few times, and felt the soreness from the surgery.
"Hey. How are you?" Rumble asked.
"Mmmmm….sore," she replied.
"I'll keep her here for a few cycles," Hook explained. "I want to make sure she recovers fully."
"Can I stay?" Rumble pleaded. "I won't get in the way."
"Oh, all right," Hook sighed. There was no way to refuse Rumble's persistence, even though he was quite annoying to Hook at times.
A couple of Earth days later, Andelyn was fully recovered and released from Hook's care. Rumble had never left her side, and Andelyn was amused by his behavior. It was almost as if he were human, she had jokingly told him, to which he sneered at her. She was also impressed by Hook's vast knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, and his ability to merge the mechanical with the biological. The device made her feel a little different, but not something she could put a finger on exactly. The only outward sign of the implant was a small receptacle in her navel.
Rumble grinned and led Andelyn to Soundwave's quarters. He was anxious to begin the bonding, but under his superior's observation, in case things got too overwhelming. They were seated facing each other, and Rumble took a cable from his chest and plugged it into the receptacle in Andelyn's belly.
"Ready?" Rumble asked Andelyn, who nodded hesitantly and closed her eyes.
Both she and Rumble slipped into a trance-like state as the spark exchange began. They leaned into each other, placing their foreheads together as each received the life stories of the other. To Andelyn, it was like she was having a string of very vivid dreams as she vicariously experienced Rumble's life. Soundwave kept a close watch on the two, ready to end the session if it became unmanageable for either of them. However, it seemingly went smoothly and both Rumble and Andelyn came out of the trance at the conclusion. They both held a keener understanding of each other's existence. In a move almost completely out of character for Rumble, he reached over and embraced Andelyn.
"We're as one now," he whispered.
