The trip back to our original and more solid shelter is uneventful. Well maybe spared from enemy sneak attacks, bad storms or even rockslides but what we do experience is more of nature's glory. Cyber-coyote pups innocently chasing each other off in the distance, a cyan-cougar basking in the sun so lazily he couldn't even be bothered to give us more than a one optic glare, and then there are the petro rabbits.

Oh gosh that was too funny! Here we are just making our way along the path making no more sounds than soft padding to the trail, when two petro-rabbits dash out from under a magenta-Manzanita bush right in from of my fierce protector. He jumps back so fast he lands one broad pede on mine with his warmed cannon at the ready. The only thing though is that he is looking for traps or bigger prey not bouncing bundles of brown. I can't stop myself if I tried, -and I do try!- but fail, bursting out laughing so hard I have to sink to the ground covering my mouth.

The hiss he calls off to the two terrors bopping off down the trail sends me further over the edge with the tears beginning. "I-I…(ahahha) "I'm sorry Shockwave. (hahaha snort-snort-snort) "
"No you're not!" The proud mech is trying so hard to regain his dignity but I think my snigger-snorting isn't help any. "Ohhh…" The lilac hand comes to his racing spark. "Primus, that hurt."
Rubbing the heal of my hands into my optics I don't see him sink down beside me until he starts laughing too. A good laugh. A long held in deep rumbling laugh. One of those contagious laughs that can only be shared when you laugh at your own silliness.
"Don't you dare repeat this. I have a reputation to uphold, you know," he tries to give me a menacing look even though the shoulders are jerking in giggles.
"Oh really? Like your ticklish spot?" And I go for it.
With a sparkling's slap he tries to bat my sneaky paw away but I take full advantage of his one hand (for I know he would never play around with swinging the heavy cannon). A tussle and a rumble in the dirt leads to more giggles, sniggers, snorts and a great big cloud of dust.
"You are a dirty fighter!" he snerks.
"You have a filthy mind!" I wipe a smudge off his helm top.
"Takes one to know one." pokes back before kissing me.

It takes us a while to get moving again. Not because of love making, but because that tussle has left me a bit more tuckered than thought possible. Tucking ourselves under an over hang, I nestle myself between his V'd and splayed legs, leaning back against his broad chest. I love the way he just runs a couple claw-knuckles along my arm that is propped up on both of our bent knees.
"How much younger is Soundwave?" Maybe it was bad to talk about his family, but I figured something so factual would be innocent enough conversation starter.
"Not much. Before I was even birthed, they had petitioned for a second sparkling and it was easily granted. My father was of a political caste and it was expected of me to follow. I studied, but science was always my spark's desire."
"What was expected for Soundwave?"
"Hum..," it's a serious pondering there bringing the stump (cannon set aside for now) under his chin. "I know they hoped for him to go into something financial, like the investment industry. He's got a good head for forethought and numbers. He wasn't even out of the University when the war started."
"Now that you have had some time, have you thought any more about what you would like to do now?"
Now the stump turns my chin softly bringing both of our tipped faces closer. "I love you very much. I knew bringing you into my private chamber was no mistake. Some of them thought I was a fool or just releasing my mechly-needs. None of them understood the depth of my mind and spark's needs…save you. You know, Commander Coldspark."
The sweetest and pulling of kisses shows that he endears my company even more than my body. "Never forget I love being with you."
For that I snuggle into him watching his two brown terrors come back to their bush. He playfully snarls at them which only sets off my giggling again earning me a light slap to my rump.

~~00~~

Soon enough though we are on our way. "You never asked about any of my science experiments. Are you not interested or is there something else?"
I shrug, but then tell him everything. "There are aspects of science I enjoy. There are other aspects that bore me to pieces. Other pieces frighten me. When you lead me through your lab to your private loft, I saw that you were a genius in many different fields. On top of that, I heard the rumors of using your prisoners for science experiments. It took me a long time to figure out if I was a science experiment, a personal play toy or something more. By the time I figured out I was your confidential solace, I knew I didn't want to know anything that would make me worry, hate, or be disgusted by you. Ignorance being bliss. I just wanted to be the one you could count on, especially when you said one of your lead scientist had betrayed you. It crushed me to see you of all powerful yet sweet and devoted mechs stabbed in the back."
A few minutes of walking along and I know he is digesting everything I admitted. When he does break the silence it's so soft I almost didn't hear him over the padding of our pedes.
"You know that you femmes were becoming extinct, right?" (nod) "The Autobots, lead by Optimus Prime jettisoned our AllSpark and thus the Well and it's precious water were going dry. It had been a guarded secret for so long that very few understood how the Well's properties actually effected procreation. As our planet and its race were dying, we lost all hope of making a future. I wanted to try saving our future as well as our planet. Mindwipe told me he had information about spark-bonds. I trusted him…." He ends that with a disgusted huff.

"You said he wasn't even Cybertronian? Who was he really then and what was he up to all this time?"
"A race called Morgans. Huge nasty trans-morphing beings that were able to hide their biology by concealing it under harvested Cybertronian paneling. Disgusting and sneaky. Their hope was to control and breed us back into servitude. After all we had accomplished by breaking away from the Quintesons and making ourselves a proud independent race, now this other race was hoping to use sacred sparks bonds to enslave us?! NO! And he used my own experiments against my own people. I was such a fool to put that much trust into him." The padding becomes stomping. "And worst of all, I had to admit my folly to that arrogant backstabbing twerp Starscream! All this time I hadn't trusted HIM when I shouldn't have been trusting one of MY OWN! Admission wasn't the worst., the worst was the compassion I got from him because… he knew I could never do such a thing against our own kind. Even his best friend's mate turned against her love and he didn't hate me once he found out the truth…..Primus help me."
"Oh."

There really wasn't much I could say to that watching him rub a furious hand over his wilting antenna. I would feel pretty humiliated too if all my hard work and research to save my people was actually turned around to enslave rather that free and then have to admit my error of trust to one I despised most in the faction. Ouch.
"Where is Mindwipe now?" I finally find the courage to ask.
"I'm not sure. I've heard rumors, but haven't found solid fact. This whole new Prime thing just derailed me a bit as well."
"Would that new Prime know?"
In two steps he is blocking my path holding me still. "What are you getting at?"
"Maybe the Autobots are not the true enemy but this Mindwipe guy. Maybe there is a chance to combine forces and go after these bastards."
Releasing my arms he nods. "Yeah, we joined forces with them once before and lost Starscream in the process due to Galavtron's arrogance and Starscream's sacrifice. Not that I ever fully trusted Starscream, but…," his thoughts trail off again.
"Shockwave, maybe the war isn't over, just the enemy has changed." I'm trying with all I have to encourage one of his strongest attributes. One that I won't lie, turns me on. Not arrogance, but true pride and honor. "I'm sure those Autobot scientist could use your brains as well. After all, you did work with this bastard."
The optic narrows, "Are you sure you're just a mere Park Ranger?"
Pursing my lips I poke him back in the chest, "I know a predator when I hear one. I know a bully. They picked the wrong race to mess with and the wrong scientist to betray."
Three deep breaths later, my hand is tugged, "Come on, I have a call to make."

~~0~~
With renewed energy, we make excellent time back to our original shelter. At the foot of the trail that leads up to our shelter, he nudges me up while flicking a hand to the shuttle's hangar. "Go on, I'm going to make that call."
Even though I want to go with him, I know he needs to do this privately. So with a parting kiss, I leave him to his mission and take our gear up to our home.
~~0~~

Must have been bushed because I didn't even feel him come to berth. Light across our berth is now waking me and I open my heavy optics to a lazy hand caressing my chest. A warm breath and a soft deep hum against it as well has my optics closing back down. There is something Shockwave is whispering to his sparkling and I don't want him to stop. Those deep toned harmonics so close to my spark leaves me melting.
I don't stop him, but a kick within the gestational pod changes his soft words to something like a chuckle. Hummm that laugh feels so good.
"Hey there, little one. You must have started your second stage if you are doing that now."
Another thump and I have to feel it too. Kaki hand meets lilac over the thumping little one. Silently together we feel this life we have created together.
"How do you feel about going up to Iacon today?"
"Are you asking me, or the little one?" I have to tease him, it's just too endearing to see him this way.
"Funny," but kisses the thump and then my hand. "But seriously, are you up to traveling?"
Now I might be a bit tired, but I'm not that tired! "Um, why would I not be?"
"Because, incubating Mother…," scoots himself so that we are looking optic to optic, "That's not dawn's morning light you are bathed in, it's sunset."
Cocking a brow I know he has to be teasing me again. The violet helm softly turns right and left to say he isn't joking.
"Damn. Yeah I guess we must be at the second stage then." I know that doesn't answer his question because he hasn't moved still giving me the critical-optic. To ease the concern, roll to the side and cup his handsome cheek. "Umm, I would love to go for a jaunt up to Iacon with you. Only if I get to meet this illustrious brother of yours."
"Umm," he uses the tone right back at me, "I think that can be arranged. Do require any more rest?"
"Heh, I can always sleep in Boltz if I need to. I say we head out as soon as possible."
"Alright. First though you refuel and no arguments as to how much."
I have to grunt back at that one, "Yeah you try to force that on me, but keep in mind, someone has dropped into their pod now and it sits right on top of some vital organs. You carry the next one."
"Hardly." He does try to pull that lofty mechly smirk of his, but I know the scientist in him wouldn't mind one bit being the carrier. So as he rolls off, I give his lovely aft the light smack this time.
"Ranger! Watch it!" Shooting off a glare and then striding away.
"I am, dear," shoving a tongue into my cheek to hold back a giggle. That does stall him making him turn back to find the meaning of my retort. "Excellent retreat, Commander," finished off with a licked lip and glaring at his tone aft.
Optic wide he snorts, "RETREAT? Never!" Then the chin dips down, giving off the most sultry look of his optic, "Baiting a trap more like." To finish laying the trap, walks himself right out the door grabbing his towel on the way out.
Ohhh, he's going down to the water fall to bathe before we head out. "Oh frag!" In two seconds I'm out the door with my own towel falling into his trap. No need to show up in Iacon stinking like a wild animal, even if moments under the waterfall can get that intense.

~~0~~

I've never been to Iacon before and here we come deep in the night. She's only got a few lights on making her lit windows look like more stars against the sky and signifying most of the city is asleep. There is one place, though, that is a blaze of lights. This is where we head.
Already Shockwave has received clearance to enter Iacon's airspace as not to get blown to bits. Now they are pinging him again, "Hangar 5, ah… Boltz." It's clear this new voice doesn't know exactly what to call Shockwave. Using his ships name is ambiguous and respectful enough.

Shockwave is gentle in his approach as not to give any of these military personal a reason to harm him. We both know that a lot of bots (and humans) are going to be quite nervous about one of the few Cybertronians who refuse to bow to the new Prime coming into their hallowed base of operations.
The doors are open wide on the building painted with a green 5. Sliding in, a green and yellow mech triple changer is waving us in until crossing his forearms in the universal 'stop' sign. From there, Shockwave takes a deep breath and begins Boltz's shut down procedures.

With the final switch done, we can now hear the soft noises of a late night hangar. There's a couple of armed humans out there giving Boltz a wary eye. A couple more bots in another corner also have their arms at the ready. The green mech is staying where he can see us through the windshield. "Well, here goes nothing. I won't lie, I am concerned about what kind of reception we are going to receive."
I lay a hand to his cannoned wrist lifting a weak smile up to him, "I'm very worried, too. Keep in mind, I've been an only child, a hermit, a POW and a secret confidante. I don't want my lack of social graces to go badly for you, Guardian."
He might be sliding out of his seat, but he's cupping my cheek bringing our forehelms together, "I would have it no other way than to have you by my side. We do this together, alright?"
To my chagrin, a weak tear slips down my cheek. "So much for being a strong mate at your side."
I go to brush it away, but find my hand stopped and his lips taking the tear, "You are perfect. Come on, lets go see what Soundwave has to say."

Shockwave leaps down from Boltz hatch but doesn't acknowledge the green mech stating his name in a neutral tone; not confrontational nor exactly welcoming either. Instead, he is turning back to take my hips (with my hands to his broad shoulders). lifting me down. I could have made the jump we both know, but this is a way for him to show a bit of his softer domestic side, hoping to quell some of the other's concerns in the room.
It seemed to work for the green mech stutters in his words, "Sh-Shockwave? I didn't know you were bringing… a guest?"
"Springer, I would like for you to meet my mate, Ranger. Ranger, this is Springer who was a Commander in the Wrecker's division." An even respectful tone to a tense introduction.
With Springer at a loss for words, the orange and yellow flamed mech beside him reaches his hand and huge smile out. "Welcome to Iacon, Shockwave and Ranger. I'm Firelock, Officer of the Watch tonight."
"Firelock? You have a resemblance to Rodimus Prime," Shockwave shakes his hand in return greeting.
A respectful dip of his helm and his smile falters for a moment in taking my hand. "He was my father."
"Was?" Shockwave's optic goes wide.
Firelock nods, "Yes, he held the Morgans back so Ultra Magnus and I could get a set of captured femmes to our shuttle. He never had a chance but gave us all one."

Shockwave gives a hard swallow to that news. I can feel the gratitude he is giving off to more femmes being saved. "H-how are they?"
The young emblazoned mech relaxes a lot more seeing the feared nemesis of the Autobots truly concerned. "They are fine, Shockwave. Much better now that they are back in their mate's arms and the sparks reunited. Come, let's get you inside. We can talk more there."
"Not yet." Springer lays a hand to the orange shoulder. In his other hand he holds up a disk, "Shockwave, we can not have your cannon active while here in Iacon. I will not ask you to remove it, but I have to inhibit it. Likewise, Ranger, your side arm."
Shockwave's back pulls up taught and firm to being unarmed and unable to protect either of us. No one moves though. It all hinges on Shockwave. Springer is clearly not going to let either of us take another step and Firelock is not happy about having to put such a condition on a guest. The green optics on the younger mech are pleading for Shockwave accept the situation.

The cannon arm comes up in a non-threatening way. "I will accept the inhibitor, but my mate has a right to defend herself. I will not allow her side arm to be removed or disabled. I know I can still handle myself in hand to hand combat whereas she… should not."
'Should not' not 'can't', I like the way he phrased that leaving them to ponder what he means. It worked because the orange and green mechs share confused expressions while sticking the disk to the violet cannon.
"I think we can live with that compromise seeing how it's a hand pistol and not something more," Firelock gives his warmest smile back. "Come on, I believe you came to see someone, am I correct?"
Springer is not as happy about the compromise but knows he is out ranked, for the moment. With the inhibitor activated, he releases the cannon and takes rear guard as we follow Firelock into the main building.

Being on my mate's left, I slip my hand around his elbow just above the cannon-natural arm joint. His hand comes up to pat it into his arm and we follow the young officer down the corridors. Shockwave says nothing just taking it all in. I'm a bit nervous and ever so grateful to be at his side.
"With it being late in the night, most of the shifts are asleep. Of course we still have our night rounds," Firelock almost sounds like a tour guide rather than a guard.
Shockwave just gives a hum of approval but says nothing more. His spark rate is picking up getting nervous to seeing his brother thusly making my own pick up. I know he said he sent a message asking to see Soundwave, but they didn't get a chance to actually talk. Now they are going to be talking: face to face at that. His hand gives mine a tighter squeeze.
When we don't respond, Firelock glances back to check on us. His optics narrow in on the badge my shoulder still bears. "I'm not familiar with that faction symbol. Who is your allegiance to?"
Springer chuckles, "Firelock, she's a Park Ranger. Her faction is Cybertron's Sonic Canyons."
I smile back to him, glad that he understands I only want to serve our planet's natural beauties. My smile fades though when he pushes out a short clipped question.
"But I don't understand what you would be doing with him of all bots."
Firelock growls out the former Wrecker's name in warning. Still I know what they are all asking: Autobot, Decepticon, or Neutral sympathizer?

My hand crimps down to the strong arm supporting me. "When my home was over run in battle, the Guardian of Cybertron took me in." No I certainly wasn't going to say I was dragged in or who overran my home. I figure only to reveal what needs to be said. "He protected me."
The antenna smile and the golden optic dims a bit. "It was the least I could do for one who protects what is most precious." Our spark bond laughs knowing his troops had done the least for me, but he had done the greatest for me.
"So you two then …bonded?" Firelock beams hearing a good romance story,
Charming Shockwave shrugs his shoulders, "It took time, but eventually yes."
Springer is no fool. Those narrowing optics show that he KNOWS we are holding stuff back but isn't sure what we are holding back is dangerous or just plain personal.

Just as he is about to press another question to us, Firelock takes us round another corner.
"Ah, here we are: Rec-room." Before he opens the door though, he hands me a key card. "Your accommodations on the B level. Enjoy your stay and if there is anything you need, please let us know."
I tuck the card into one of my breast pockets and the door is opened. Springer continues to follow us in but then breaks left to sit at a table. I'm guessing he is going to be our shadow for the whole time we are here. I can't blame them too much. A new Prime, a new world and one of the most dangerous recluses just walked right in. He wouldn't be a very good commander if he wasn't wary.
It warms my spark though when a pink and blue femme takes the seat next to him placing a kiss to the cheek. At least there is someone who will help distract him a little in a personal way.

The room is a good size, nearly as large as a banquet hall. Looks like it has multiple uses but right now, a bit of a night club. A red mech is sitting at the piano playing and singing out a soft song. There are a few couples dancing close together. A set of purple wings catches my attention.
Apparently they caught Shockwave's attention too because he stiffens just as the femme is turned by her partner: Royal blue, snow white and a few accents of daffodil yellow. "Is that…"
"Yes, that's my brother ….Soundwave," softly he says.
Hearing his name through the bridge of the song, with his excellent hearing (Shockwave did say he was a communications officer), the blue and white visored helm turns to us.
"Shockwave….," he breathes but no one moves.