Title:Transformers Shadow of the Day

Genre: Action/Romance, Drama/Friendship

Rating: T for language, violence, some sexual reference, and crude humor

Short Summary: The Third Chapter; With The Fallen gone, and Unicron's delayed arrival, the unity of Autobots and Decepticons work with Earth to shut down the dreaded Department for good.


~*~Chapter Seven~*~
Newfound Respect


Songs Best Used For Chapter:
Renovation-from The Island soundtrack


Every thing practically went quiet as soon as they saw her, drifting in the liquid in a deathly slumber. There was no sound that they could hear as they stared at her. They could only watch her.

Soundwave felt as if everything had stopped all around him. He had only his holoform's eyes for Max in the liquid container. He could hear nothing but a vibration in the air. He couldn't hear he medical machines beeping at him. He only stare at her and feel his spark pulsing in pain to see her.

"Max!" The voices of his subunits barely even broke throughnhis chain of thought.

Frenzy was the first to react, scuttling over to the container with Rumble quickly following after. Ravage and the bird twins were soon to follow, hurrying over to the container to get a better look. Soundwave only stood there, staring at Max.

The two smallest subunits quickly went to the containers and pressed their servos against the glass, staring in pain at her. Their optics even took on a glossy look as if they were about to spring cleanser. "Ma-Max! Wake up! It's us!" Frenzy cried as he lightly knocked on the glass, hoping to get Max to open her eyes to look at them.

But there was no reaction.

Ravage and the bird twins pressed their selves against the glass, trying to be as close as they could to her.

Slowly, Soundwave walked over to the glass container and touched the glass with his fingers, carressing it as if touching Max's face. He couldn't believe this. He found Max and she was in a mess that could have been avoided if he had only thought about the decision to let her go with him more. He felt guilt strike through his very spark. "Max..." he spoke very softly.

The humans watching him were frowning. The doctor, Jackson, frowned as it slowly dawned on him. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. 'You have got to be kidding me.' He thought to himself.

From a side glance, Jackson saw one of the others creeping towards one of the computers. He knew where he was going and what he was doing. He frowned slightly before looking back at the Cybertronians to see if they noticed. And so far, they didn't seem to.

This wasn't going to end well if the robots noticed the doctor creeping over. Nonetheless, they also seemed too preoccupied with the woman in the containment unit.

However, as the doctor moved his hand to push a button, Ravage turned his head and snarled, having seen the movement from the corner of his optic, making everyone jump and the doctor snapped his hand back as all of the team turned to glare at him.

Soundwave merely frowned as he turned a warning look onto the doctors and nurses. "I would be very careful if I were you." He said dangerously then motioned to Max. "What have you done to her? Can she be removed from the containment unit without conseqences?"

Jackson had given his fellow doctor a warning look before looking back at Soundwave. "The containment unit she is in is a prepping tank for surgery. It is 70% water, 30% pure Ethanol. We are making sure she would survive the operation we were going to do." He explained before slowly moving over with his hands held up to show he wasn't going to do anything. He watched them carefully as they watched him. The animalistic robots growled at him, slowingnhis process but Soundwave held up his hand to calm them while still watching the doctor move over towards them. "She is in no danger, I assure you."

"Not reassured. Why is she in stasis?" Soundwave asked dryly.

Jackson moved over to the control panel, again getting growled at but he just typed at the control panel and the liquid began to drain, calming them. "The Ethanol is pure, sir. Even if it is a low setting, it would harm her eyes if they were opened. She is merely sedated and she, I will admit, drugged to stay that way until the proceedure is done. Her sedation will last few days. But I give you word that was all that was done to her. None of the proceedures has taken place." He explained.

Soundwave nodded before looking at Max again, his holoform's eyes softening as he watched the liquid drain out. He looked her over, making sure she really wasn't injured and only saw a few bruises on her arms. He frowned again, looking serious. "Was she harmed before being placed in this container?" He asked deadly again.

Jackson frowned before following his train of vision then understood. "Oh. Those. No, not exactly. She has been here for months now. During her stay, she hasn't stopped fighting to escape. She did a great deal of making a fuss every single day. She would threaten us, swore that we were going to pay for kidnapping her." He then looked back at Soundwave with a curious look. "She also mentioned that she had a big friend who would come for her and make us pay for we have done. I can only guess that is you."

Soundwave didn't turn his head but did turn his eyes to look at the doctor for a moment then back at Max. He felt a hint of pride building up. To hear that Max never stopped fighting, never stopped believing that he would come for her, he felt pride for her.

"You love her, don't you?" The doctor asked quietly, still studying the inhuman man next o him.

It was those words did Soundwave look seriously back at the human. He didn't have to answer that question from this man. He wouldn't confirm it.

But either way, Jackson's face changed as it did dawn on him. His eyes softened in understanding and he slowly nodded. "You do. Why else would you come for her, causing all kinds of hell for the Department? And even demanding for her instead of just killing her. You love a human being." He said softly.

Soundwave's face hardened in warning. He did not want to let this...Department scientist to know what Max meant to him or his subunits. If they knew, they could use her against him.

Still, the doctor smiled very faintly and nodded. "I spent a little time with her in the past month, getting to know her. I needed to know her personality traits before I continued my work. I never wanted to hurt her, sir. I swear it to you. She reminded me of...of someone I knew before. Bit to defy orders from the Department...it does not aways end well." He then straightened up, looking determined. "Please do not kill any of is, sir. If you allow us to live, and return to where ever you came from, we can help you." He sspoke softly.

Eyes narrowing in seriousness but confusion, Soundwave turned to face the doctor. "It was never my intention to kill any humans unless Max has been harmed. And because she is not, you and all here will live. But I inquire why I should allow you to return with myself and my team?" He asked sternly.

"Well...do you not work with the American Government, if not with the world's governments? Are you and the...Autobots not looking for information? For sparing our lives, I will tell you all I know. I am not entirely loyal to the Department cause when dealing with human experiments. The things that I have been forced to do, the weight of sins that are on my shoulders, I am not proud of them." Jackson spoke softly before motioning to all of the doctors. "My entire team of medical trainees share my feelings on Department ideals. Plus I am one of the doctors who studied and worked with I belive you may know, Doctor Alexander Hollander."

Soundwave's eyes flashed at he name and he even showed the surprise to Jackson. All of that time with the Autobots and their humans, no one had known the dreaded Doctor Hollander's name. And because of this doctor, he now did. "Alexander Hollander. That is his designation?" He spoke seriously.

Jackson nodded with another look of understanding. "Yes. There is much information I can give you on the Department, sir. I have been with them for nearly half of the tike since its establishment. I know Hollander very well. And I sometimes wished I never allowed him to convince me to joining the Department. The things we have done, and do, it is not for the greater good of the planet. I have known that till now. Spare myself and my team and I will willingly give you all I know." He said firmly.

Soundwave paused for only a moment before he nodded. It was too good of a deal to pass aside. The more that the Cybertronians and human governments knew of the Department, the closer they would be to shutting it down. "Very well." He said firmly. "You and your team may come with us."

Jackson nodded before he reached over ad pressed a button that opened the door, nearly spilling Max out of it. He watched Soundwave quickly move forward and catch her from hitting the ground. And yet, smiled.

Gathering Max up into his arms, Soundwave turned with everyone, looking at Jackson as he moved towards the other doctors and nurses, explaining the new situation to them. They looked uneasy about it but nodded as they agreed with him.

"We should leave." Soundwave said seriously as his subunits formed an almost protective circle around him and Max.

The doctors and nurses nodded as they began moving throughout the entire room, gather papers and typing furiously at the computers. Jackson was doing just the same with one computer, seeming to gather information on a memory stick.

Patiently, Soundwave waited till all of the humans were ready before he lead the way down the corridor. He walked in the lead, deactivating his sound weapons from the speakers, seeing that most of the humans were rather reduced to unconsciencness now.

Soon it was practically silent through out the entire base with only a few moans and groans from humans. Jackson and the other doctors looked at them in concern but it was Rumble to reassure them that no one was dead, only unconscience. The doctors and nurses were still uncertain and still checked to see if someone was still breathing. They found that they were and were reassured finally.

As they started to come to the big lab where Soundwave's true form was waiting, the mech, himself, stopped abruptly, forcing everyone else to have to.

"Boss?" Rumble asked seeing a dark look on Soundwave's face. That didn't look good.

Soundwave just stood there for a moment before he narrowed his dark eyes, frowning. He then looked down at his subunits as he slowly and very carefully set Max down. "Protect her. There is something that requires my full attention at the moment. Do not bring her out until I give the signal." He said in a firm commanding voice.

The subunits stiffened but nodded as they seemed to understand. They formed a circle around Max, also looking at the humans, who again looked uncertain.

"What about them?" Ravage asked optic'ing them seriously.

Soundwave didn't even look at the humans as he stood up straight and started to flicker. "Protect them, as well. If they give you problems, then you know what to do. Do not terminate." He spoke seriously before flickering out of view.

There was an awkward silence between human and robotic life forms.

Jackson frowned, looking curiously at the subunits before moving over to sit next to a wary Buzzsaw. "What is happening? Why did he leave?" He asked looking T the bird as he wobbled side wards to get away from him.

Ravage growled slightly as he sat down beside Max, curling his tail around her like a protection shield. He merely glanced at the human doctor with his burning red optic then looked back down the corridor. "Soundwave left because he is about to get into a battle with someone. Apparently not all of the human guards fell to his sonic distribution blaster. We cannot interfere with his battle because we will only get into the way." He explained.

Everyone frowned but looked down the corridor, waiting ad listening hard.

Soundwave's holoform flickered to life beside his true form again before he turned and looked across the base field at what had approached him from behind. He frowned with a deadly look upon his face to see a mech of some sort standing there.

It was not Cybertronian, nor did it have any real life signature. There something alive about it but Soundwave couldn't scan it properly. There was something disrupting his sensors as he tried.

It was some kind of robot but he wasn't too sure. It was about fifteen feet tall and full of bulky metal. It was humanoid with the exception of a pure metal mask over its face. It had some nasty looking gatling gun on its arms and what looked like a missile launcher. It was definitely something for warfare.

"What your intentions are, make them known or get out of my way so I can leave." Soundwave spoke dangerously.

There was a long pause between the two before the human weapon like robot finally lift its arms, preparing to lock and fire. "Don't miss much, do you, Robot?" Came a mechanical voice from within the robot.

And as whoever spoke, the chassis clicked and slid apart to reveal a tough looking human inside. He was obviously military, built powerfully for a human. He was probably in his forties. He wore a military tank top and pants and was holding what looked like control sticks of a jet. It was obviously the controls for moving the war machine.

Soundwave stared emotionlessly at the human, making no sign of responding. He didn't have time for idle talking. He just wanted to get this over with so he could take Max home.

And to prove a point, he deactivated his holoform and began transforming before the human.

The human showed no signs of surprise or awe as he as used to. He just watched blankly as Soundwave stood up to his full height and turned to face the human, looking serious as ever. He only chuckled darkly as he looked at the robot, knowingly. "All right. I get it. Let's get down to business then, robot. This is our new latest project, Project Mecha. Built with a powerful alloy that they used for submarines. Has..." he was explaining his toy.

"I do not care." Soundwave interupted deadly as he unwound his tenticles and let them waver all around him. "Proceed with your intentions or get the pits oit of my way."

"He means business if he's swearing, human."

The human could only start as he turned his head to see three more Cybertonians approaching. Barricade, Prowl and Bumblebee, who was looking around at all of the unconscience humans on the ground.

Soundwave did not surprised whatsoever. He just stared blankly at the human in his big shiny toy, sparing his fellows no attention.

The human, however, huffed irritably before shrugging and the chassis closed. "Fine. Have it your way." He spoke before the robot jerked up his arms and began firing at Soundwave.

Without any further adu, Soundwave swung in a full circle to avoid the shots before sending his tenticles flying towards the robot. He lashed them across the chassis, leaving scratches, and fresh scars. He was mostly testing the endurance of the machine, looking for weaknesses. He had to admit it but it was a tough piece of machinary.

Power shots came at Soundwave and he moved with surprising swiftness that even startled the other three Cybertronians. They were not exactly used to seeing him moving so fast. Him, himself, not his many arms and appendages.

The robot fired a missile at Soundwave, whom moved swiftly out of the way and knocked it off course away from him or endangering the fallen humans. He saw that this human had no regards to his fellow humans and that disgusted him. He had to end this before humans were killed. Not that he entirely cared.

Latching one of his tenticles onto the robot, Soundwave was charging while swinging up his sonic disrution blaster to fire. He sent a wave at the robot, expecting the human to stall like the other humans had.

But to his surprise, the robot swung an arm up and twisted the Second In Command's appendage around his arm, gripping it tightly. It yanked hard, pulling Soundwave closer to slam its other fist right into his face mask, denting it badly and cracking his visor. He heard the others cry out in surprise as the impact stunned them as much as it stunned him.

If not for the robot slamming its still captured arm's gatling gun into his chest, he would have pondered it for a moment. He immediately tensed up, tightening his grip on the robot before slamming his own fist into the robot's chassis, digging his claws into the seams.

With a good amount of strength, Soundwave pulled and yanked, even with the robot now thrashing and swinging a fist to slam into him. He snapped the chassis off by the hinges before snapping one of his tenticles forward, grabbing the human with a three prong claw. He snatched him the arm and yanked him up and out, throwing him to the side to crash and roll across the ground.

The robot went very still after the human had been removed.

Dripping energon from scraps on his face plates, Soundwave stood and towered over the human, who was well scrapped up. He glared mirthlessly at him before raising his sonic weapon and fired.

A strong wave of shrieking noise assaulted the human's ears, making him cry out in pain ashe slapped his hands over his ears.

"Soundwave! You will kill him!" Prowl called over.

Soundwave didn't answer but kept it up until the human flopped to the ground, now unconscience. He almost didn't stop there, but when he heard Barricade shout so he pulled his blaster up and shifted it back into his arm. He didn't look at his fellow Cybertronians as he sent his tenticles back into the Department lab to retrieve Max.

Prowl, Barricade, and Bumblebee watched him carefully as he pulled back his appendages, bringing out Max, who was followed by the subunits and the human medical officers.

"Is she...?" Barricade started to ask, sounding concerned.

"Unconscience." Soundwave spoke calmly as he brought her very close to his chassis, looking down at her gently.

Prowl frowned as he looked down at the humans, who looked rather uneasy about him and the other two. He didn't have to told to know they were Department scientists. "And them?" He asked seriously.

Jackson moved forward, smiling uncertainly. "Hello. I am Doctor Aaron Jackson. We are currently Department doctors, ones who were going to experiment on Maxine Tanner." He stepped back when Barricade began to growl at him. He raosed his hands in surrender, but relaxed a little when Soundwave used one tenticle to press against the black and white Cybertronian's chassis to keep him at bay. "Uh...well...in the short version of things, we are willing to come along with you and surrender to your people for the exchange of our lives and information on the Department. I am actually well known throughout the entire Department and can probably answer any questions you may have on the Department. I am willing to give you everything I know about the organization in exchange of our lives." He explained more calm than he actually felt.

Prowl frowned, looking down at him but bent down to one knee to get a better look at the doctor. "You know everything about the Department?" He asked seriously.

Doctor Jackson nodded with a slight smile. "Yes, actually I pretty much do. I have been with the Department since the beginning and I can tell you a lot about it. I am not...exactly thrilled of the things we have been doing and would gladly give you everything I know. I tire of the Department's cruel activities that they have been doing lately. Unfortunately, the number rule with it is you're in it for life or you die. I can give you a lot of information on the Department Scientist, Alexander Hollander." He told him.

The Autobot Second In Command stiffened before glancing over at Soundwave, who nodded to him. He nodded right back before turning back to look at Jackson. "Very well. If you can tell us a lot about the Department then you have a deal. Any information you can give us will be very helpful. Thank you for your cooperation." He told him.

Jackson slowly shook his head as his eyes flickered over to Soundwave, who was looking down at Max in his arms agin. "Trust me. I am not exactly doing it for your benefit. Let's just say...today's excitement has made me see something a little more to your kind than I would have thought been possible." He said softly.

Prowl tilted his head a little, looking as if he would look over his shoulder at Soundwave but then decided against it. He knew what the human doctor meant and he was only too glad for the Decepticon's persistency to saving Max. He nodded before looking around at the others. "Call the base, Bee. Tell them we have a handful of Department employees that needed to be taken into custody. And inform Ratchet and the other medics to have the medical infirmary ready for a patient. I have a feeling they'll need to get to work on Max as soon as we get back." he ordered.

Bumblebee nodded in acknowledgement and did just that.