Incognito

"Megatron… Lord Soundwave."

Optronix nodded to his visitors, glad that the dark blue mech came again. He still felt positively hungry for company beside Megatron's even though he understood why he couldn't yet have visitors. He was even more surprised that after the two large frames, another mech came forward, smaller than the Kaonites, sporting sandy yellow colour and smiling politely, if a bit insincere. Megatron looked smugly pleased, while Soundwave politely introduced the newcomer:

"Ambassador Swindle, from Tarn."

"It is an honour to meet you Ambassador…" – Optronix's voice trailed away unsure, as he was a tiny bit puzzled to be introduced to one foreigner while not others that surely came around over the vorns.

"The Ambassador agreed to cooperate with us for a little subterfuge…" – Soundwave started to explain, not mentioning the exorbitant price-tag the so-called 'ambassador' asked for his services. It was inconsequential in the greater picture of things anyway.

"What, a kind of a… plot?"

Optronix asked Soundwave but his optics were on Megatron, trying to find out what they were up to. The Ambassador, as it were didn't awaken any sympathy or trust in him – he looked more like a smarmy salesmech than a diplomat. But of course the two could overlap, he reminded himself about some of the foreign ambassadors in the Iacon palace. Very few of those he'd've entrusted an ambassadorial post either.

"It is a way for you, Optronix, to visit the town in secret. The Ambassador agreed to stay in your quarters while you and Soundwave can go out a bit and have a look around."

Megatron sounded so eager, so… giddy that he could give something that Optronix missed so much… that the smaller mech couldn't help but be happy either. Of course the prospect of escaping from his rooms was a heady thought too and to see Kaon with his own optics after so much time was much welcome, so Optronix's smile widened in happiness and barely kept himself from further, more impolite displays of his joy. But a detail suddenly made him look up.

"Can't you… come too?"

He didn't miss the happy flash in the warlord's optics and the interested raise of a brow-plate from Soundwave. Red and blue glances connected and for a klik they both felt something warm and fuzzy that wasn't there before, trickling through the bond. Trust, happiness… maybe love? It was a huge leap that not only Optronix didn't shy away from him but actually wanted him around. Too bad that he couldn't…

"We can disguise you as the ambassador, but I'm afraid there is no mech in Kaon who wouldn't recognize me."

"Ohh…" – he felt sorry for a few kliks, breaking the optic contact, but understood the necessity. – "It is unfortunate. But I'm sure in time that can happen too."

"Indeed it will. For now, you should enjoy the excursion."

Soundwave waved Avara over who attached a small device to his shoulder plates, activated it… and the colour matching ambassador Swindle's golden tan and purple washed over his plating from the little holoprojector. His helm was different still, but Soundwave assured him that most Kaonites wouldn't look twice if they saw him with a foreigner; his work as Kaon's diplomat was well-known. Still, he folded in the distinctive antennae, not much caring about the loss of some inconsequential sensory data.

"Ambassadors have a declared immunity, but still it would be wise not to provoke any fight or disagreements." – Megatron was serious before they left the rooms, nervous and apprehensive, even though the whole thing was his idea – "I know that you are not one instigating fights, but I can't be there to protect you, should anything happen."

"Brother… I'll be there, you know?" – Soundwave sounded exasperated and Optronix's lip components twitched in a suppressed smile. He really enjoyed the brothers teasing each other, although he knew that they wouldn't call it that. But the glance the blue mech cast at him was almost a wink… – "Few would dare to challenge me either."

"I promise not to cause any disturbances." – Optronix was serious. He was not going to loose his privilege of being allowed outside after so long for anything.

Megatron nodded and they left the quarters, leaving ambassador Swindle with Avara, the servant as much serving him as observing so that he wouldn't mess with Optronix's things. Not even Megatron fooled himself that the slimy-mannered ambassador was completely trustworthy.

But Optronix forget him as soon as they stepped out of the palace and Soundwave's two younglings joined them, introducing themselves as Frenzy and Rumble. The guards were around but keeping so much to the background that Optronix in time managed to forget that they were there and enjoy the excursion. They were engaging in a pleasant, light and superficial conversation but it was obvious that Soundwave gave him as much freedom and permission to enjoy the sights as possible.

The blue mech pointed out the landmarks near the palace, the dark and sinister Temple for Unicron, the Old Castle, maintained as historical memento, the Midnight Gardens with the special, moonlight-grown crystals, and the main square of the town, giving the choice for Optronix to decide where to go. He wasn't surprised when the young mech enthusiastically choose the marketplace, rather cutely apologizing when he thought that Soundwave'd be insulted if he didn't check out the main attractions.

"Optronix, I don't expect you to conform to me or any other mech now. This little walk is for you. If you want to see the mechs of Kaon, it is no less in any way than wanting to see grand structures."

"I understand… I'm interested in those too, just first the mechs who live here."

"It is a commendable wish, Optronix."

"My Sire has always said that I'm far too much interested in the lives of our subjects. He didn't approve of me going out of the palace and mingle with the simple mechs of Iacon."

Soundwave looked at Optronix sympathetically. He knew just how a stickler to rules and etiquette Ultra Magnus was and wouldn't have wished it on any of his own creations.

"We think differently then. A good leader, be it a councilmech, a noble or a king, must know how his subjects live. A certain amount of safety must be present…" – he waved behind them where the guards followed them unobtrusively – "especially in Kaon, but we all spent a lot of our childhood on the streets and public training fields, playing with, as you say, the simple mechs of the city."

"Exactly! I could never agree with Sire in this."

They walked around in the rather scantily populated market streets, Optronix occasionally asking and Soundwave explaining things. The two cassettes tried to liven up their sedate walk and the ambassador had to reprimand them a few times, but Optronix enjoyed the attempts for humor and mischief… the smaller mechs reminded him of Jazz and Hot Rod, the two troublemaking rascals of the royal family. He tried hard not to let that memory darken his mood, after all he did talk with them many times since he could.

Kaon was… interesting, he thought. Superficially, the market looked the same as in Iacon, a busy, lively and crowded place. But when he got closer, he saw the differences too. Obviously everything was in a scale that started to exasperate him, not only the Kaonites themselves who looked over his helm and disregarded him completely; but the sheer size of the stalls, the seating in the small energon bars in the corners and not to forget the detailing shop he just passed with the huge machines that looked more like torture devices than for cleaning and detailing…

The stalls had a different ware in general too. Far more weapons, which he found natural by this time, far less decorative items, except for the crystals which were in abundance, and even the games and puzzles that he saw were of a strategic variety, whereas in Iacon it was hard to find a game that wasn't about economy or politics. The toys for sparklings also showed similar leanings; toy weapons and war-games.

Optronix also noted that he was the only non-Kaonite around, and studiously being ignored as a foreigner. In Iacon, at any time of the vorn there were hundreds if not thousands of visitors, merchants and diplomats, exchange students or distant relatives, artists and even tourists in the town. They weren't ignored either; a good number of his fellow countrymechs… well former countrymechs, lived well from giving lodging, catering and programs for off-city visitors.

Here, it looked like an occasional foreign mech like himself was considered as the necessary evil they had to put up with. Some of the vendors were downright rude and while Soundwave has always put them to their places, they never became friendly even when he bought something. Not that he needed anything in particular but Kaonites appeared to have a very particular but truly beautiful crystal carving technique that he loved.

-o-o-o-

Megatron paced up and down in his quarters like a caged cyberwolf. He was nervous, frustrated, impatient and wanted to call Soundwave about ten times in every breem, just stopping himself from making the call. His brother would call him had anything happened with Optronix. He knew that. It didn't help his anxiousness. At the end of yet another circle, he threw himself down on a recliner, grabbing a cube of high grade instead of further fretting.

He froze into a statue as suddenly he realized why he was fretting and nervous - because he cared. About Optronix. Soundwave warned him that he'd have to face with his feelings for the Iaconian soon… and now was as good a time as any. Somewhere during the last several orns he came to… yes, he came to truly enjoy the young mech's presence, his company and his still-cautious nudges in the bond. Something he never believed to be possible.

Optronix was still shy, extroverted and nervous when he got too close, but otherwise open, honest and eager to learn and change, mold himself into a Kaonite… and let Megatron do much of that molding. He drank the warlord's various tales and explanations, and asked meaningful, sharp and intelligent questions. He was also gorgeous, sensual without even trying and exotic, heating up Megatron's frame every time they sparred and the younger mech let him close. Was it all love… Megatron still had no idea.

He loved his brother, albeit he'd never, ever say that aloud, but it was a familial bond. He lusted for some pleasurebots who possessed luscious frames, but that was impersonal, just another urge to satisfy. He was naturally drawn to special frame-types, like fliers, but not even that felt this deep. No, he thought what he felt towards Optronix had all those elements… and something more that he couldn't even describe. It had to be love, he thought wryly, he was told many times that it was an indescribable feeling, just like his own towards Optronix.

"Brother?" – the much awaited comm roused him from his musings – "We're back and absolutely nothing out of ordinary happened."

"I'll be right there, Soundwave. And… thanks."

The shiningly grateful and happy look on Optronix's faceplates, once he was there firmly decided that however dangerous the subterfuge was, they'd have to let him do it again. The young mech nearly glowed with contented happiness and Megatron eagerly drank in the rarely seen sight, not even noticing how he fell ever deeper into the love he still couldn't identify. Soundwave and Swindle left them alone, the telepath knowing that it was for the best if Megatron reaped the fruits of his labor, that it would work wonders for their relationship.

Optronix eagerly talked about what he's seen for joors and Megatron didn't mind hearing about the city he knew so well, from the lips he was so much yearning to touch. They discussed his experiences, compared Kaon to Iacon, had a good-natured argument about the theory and practice of rearing a youngling… and agreed at the end of that that neither of them was fully satisfied with the way they were raised, and had they got the opportunity, they'd do a better job.

They fell to silence after that agreement. Megatron, because he remembered the sparkling with deep regret, Optronix, because he was sensitive and picked up his mood, even though he didn't know the reason. But he knew better than to ask. Megatron, he knew by this time was not going to hurt him, whatever he asked – but he would get all cranky and still wouldn't say anything. He could be patient and wait until the warlord was ready to tell whatever it was.

-o-o-o-

Between the training and the covert excursions Optronix's boredom disappeared completely in the following groons. He got more and more comfortable with Megatron, even outside the sparring room. There were more of his dreams and the young mech caught himself more than once during a discussion that his glances to Megatron were sliding over the powerful frame appreciatively and he had to remind himself of their topic. During sparring it was even worse… or better, he wasn't sure – but there at least he could blame the exercise for his overheated frame.

There was even a memorable evening when they all, including Soundwave and his eldest cassette, Ravage got sloshed and the discussion deteriorated into jokes, laughing, and incredulous tales from various campaigns the three of them were part of. As he discovered, the ambassador was just as much a warrior as all Kaonites. When they disappeared, Optronix hasn't even noticed in his overcharged mirth, only that after a while he was alone with Megatron, not afraid in the slightest and sitting nearly on his lap. They were still laughing at the last joke.

Then a sensuous stroke slid over his back plating absentmindedly, down till it cupped his aft… and then Megatron's servo froze before he swiftly snatched it away.

"I… didn't mean that."

Optronix swallowed the mouthful he just drank and reined in both a tremble and his lust.

"It wasn't… bad." – he said in a small voice.

Megatron sat like a statue, thoughts clearly warring in his processor. The bond swirled with worry, lust, care and frustration, like colourful flashes of lights chasing each other in a maelstrom.

"You are not ready." – he answered in a choked voice.

Optronix couldn't refute that statement, even though he would be half-willing to disprove it. He shook his helm mutely but didn't draw away. Megatron had to feel his rising temperature and the desire in his field, in the bond… true, it was enflamed by the amount they both drank but some of it was his own, Optronix knew.

"I don't want high-grade to decide instead of you."

A cautious claw lifted his chin to have their optics connect. The other servo, Megatron tightened into a fist to keep his treacherous frame in check.

"Only when you are ready. I promised."

"Thank you…" – Optronix could finally whisper his answer. – "I'm nearly… almost… but…"

"Shhhh… you'll know. We'll both know when."

The servo petted his shoulder nearly chastely, although it took a lot of effort from the warlord to keep it that way, and drew away.

"Sleep well, Optronix."

That dark cycle was the first they both went to recharge equally unsatisfied, frustrated and dreamt similar dreams.

-o-o-o-

"Where is it you'd like to go Optronix?"

"Maybe into a tavern or something. I always hope that one orn some mech will talk to me and not just sneer." – Optronix told it good-naturedly, but in fact he was frustrated that Kaonites generally ignored him as nonexistent. Even after their dozens of excursions he was still unsuccessful to really talk to mechs other than Megatron and his brothers.

"I must warn you that it is unlikely even in a tavern… but we should still go into one if you wish."

Soundwave judged the likelihood of it to virtually nil, but he knew several suitable establishments nearby; good enough for even nobles to go in but common enough not to be exclusive. Not quite taverns, but then he wouldn't take Optronix into a real, brutal Kaonite common bar. The young Iaconian mech probably wouldn't survive that experience unscathed, as natural pastimes among lower caste Kaonites regularly involved fighting and Megatron would have his helm for a desk-decoration if he got hurt.

The Steel Mill was a bit of a smallish side but Soundwave brought here many ambassadors and their entourages and so they at least were familiar with foreigners, not so rude as shopkeepers in general. It was typical in decoration for Kaon; darkly coloured walls with few lights and gleaming edges of weapons on the walls throwing those rays around. They sat at one of the smaller tables, the server immediately recognizing the Lord's brother and scurried to take their orders.

Once they got the cubes, Optronix started to have a good look around. Few mechs were in, since the day shifts usually were still at work and the night ones at home yet. But he noticed a group of four mechs in a nearby table, arguing heatedly in heavily accented, nearly unintelligible Kaonian and listened carefully what he could glean of the words. After a few breems of it, he turned to Soundwave with a wide-opticked look.

"They are talking about… poems, if I understood well? They do have a thick accent so I might be… wrong."

Soundwave nodded, perfectly understanding the surprise. To anyone but a Kaonite, the group would look and sound like they were arguing and just one step away from brawling – whereas they were just discussing and comparing the newest rages that went around in the communinets.

"Songs, I believe, not poems." – he corrected, listening in briefly to their conversation. – "And they are from northern Kaon, by their accents."

"But… but they sound like they are going to… fight?"

"They probably won't… not about such an inconsequential topic." – Soundwave sampled their emotions briefly to make sure – "They might if it was about the sporting event coming up, but not over this."

"You mean all the time I thought the vendors would want to bite my helm off… they were just their normal, grouchy, Kaonite selves?"

Soundwave nearly laughed out loud at the wry but observant question.

"Mostly yes, we do have a conduct that foreigners find rough and some even belligerent. But the vendors made it extra nasty, because you look like a stranger. They were more normal when they saw me being with you."

They got to this point in their conversation when suddenly a huge shape loomed over their table and Optronix looked up in surprise, Soundwave following him in a klik.

"My, my… I can't believe my optics." – the voice was scratchy and shrill, unpleasant to the audials and spoke with a false unctuousness – "Who else is turning up in a bar than the mysterious and well-hidden mate of the Warlord… without him?"

Soundwave stood up at once and directed Optronix to do the same. He didn't quite hid the smaller mech, as it would be insulting, but he was clearly in a position to defend him if needed. But when his optics took in the frame standing opposite to them, the telepath commed frantically to Megatron. The warlord didn't answer, his comms pinging back with an unavailable note, meaning that he was probably with a pleasurebot, working out interfacing frustration from his systems. Soundwave swore inwardly.

"Lord Starscream…" – he had to bow to the Winglord, probably the only mech at the moment in Kaon who outranked him beside Megatron and being a valuable ally, he couldn't risk a diplomatic scandal either. But the Seeker was sly and known to harbor secret plans. It wasn't a chance meet, the telepath felt it without even trying to get a feel of the flier's processor – "It is an honour to see you here, in a lowly tavern…"

"Stuff it, Lord Soundwave." – The slagging Seeker knew it too and sneered at him – "I spoke to Lord… I believe Optronic?"

He had to step aside or risk the Winglord challenging him. Soundwave considered sending the highest alert to his brother that would go through any comm firewall, but refrained from it yet. Optronix stood as tall as he could – not much between the rigidly standing Kaonite and the flared wings of the Vosian, but his best and answered politely.

"Lord Starscream. I believe we've met once." – reminding the Winglord that he should know his designation correctly at least – "At the bonding party."

"Oh yesss… the last time any mech saw you." – The Seeker moved closer, towering over Optronix, who, to Soundwave's surprise stood fast and hasn't betrayed his uneasiness with a single twitch or trembling in his voice. - "He whisked you away before any mech could have made the ritual challenges."

If Optronix was surprised, he didn't show it. He stood determined and proud, facing up to the larger flier. He also deactivated the device on his shoulder, letting his normal colours show now that his incognito was broken anyway. Soundwave noted the mechs around starting to look over to them and commed to Dreadnought with an order to break their brother's door if necessary and get them to the tavern at once. He also ordered their guard to clear the place from any witnesses fast.

"I am not aware that the bonding lacked any necessary part."

"It was complete." – the Seeker conceded, but smirked once more, raising Soundwave's dread – "But still, some things cannot be denied."

"No!"

"What, Soundwave, would you deny it?"

Optronix looked from one of them to the other, bemused. The Seeker's unfamiliar faceplates were hard to read, but his tone was dangerous and his wings moved upwards a few notches. Soundwave was loosing his calm fast and frustration coloured his tone.

"What kind of rights you mean, Lord Starscream?" – he clearly perceived that Soundwave couldn't act against the Seeker but he wasn't sure why he would need to. Simply loosing his incognito surely wasn't so serious… But gaining time seemed to be a good idea, the blue mech has surely commed Megatron already.

"Why, my dear Soundwave, I should have expected you to enlighten this young mech fully…" – Starscream hissed – "If Lord Megatron hasn't done it yet!"

"Lord Starscream, Lord Optronix, please… it is not the time or place…"

"There is no other time or place!"

"I'd really appreciate if someone enlightened me."

"Very well, little mech… you bonded with Lord Megatron but hasn't produced a sparkling in … well, too many vorns. His brothers have a right to help to contribute to the bloodline, you know? As Megatron himself named me his brother in arms, I too…"

"You have a right to shut your vocalizer NOW!"

It wasn't Megatron and Dreadnought lacked any sense of diplomacy that Soundwave possessed. But then on occasions brute force worked better with the Seeker than anything else.

"Lord Dreadnought? What a surprise to see you too here! I can't believe four powerful Kaonite warriors couldn't produce a single sparkling!"

But then, sometimes the Seeker did seem suicidal to Soundwave. To mortally insult four Kaonites, the whole ruling family in one sentence was something even from the wily flier. Dreadnought couldn't even answer, he was spluttering so much, only Soundwave's steel grip holding him back from attacking the slagging Winglord, who was expecting, no, inviting and taunting him to do so.

What was he planning with such a blatant insult? He couldn't hope to get away with it, not from Megatron once he got his slagging aft here. Soundwave silently ordered their entourage to empty the place or rather arrest every mech who was still present. They couldn't afford the scandal to get public. On a second thought he ordered the palace guard to arrest Swindle too. There was no way Starscream found them by accident and recognized Optronix in the disguise without a hint from some mech.

He risked a glance to the young mech, lipplates slightly open, wide-opticked expression completely frozen in shock and sighed. Things were going so well… and now they'd have to do some serious damage control to salvage at least some parts of that. Provided they got out of the situation fast and without a deactivated frame of the Vosian Winglord in their wake. Kaon simply couldn't afford to have Vos turning on them at the moment, no matter that they were – for the time being – in peace.

"Starscream." – Megatron knew all of it as well, and was marginally calmer than Dreadnought when he finally arrived to the scene, briefed on his way about the situation. Drawing the still shocked and unresisting Optronix to him he snarled at the Seeker angrily, but with that tight, dangerous control promised harsh retribution.

"Explain yourself, Winglord or our states will be enemies fast… and your Trine will need a new leader too."

"Threats? Hahh! When I was just mentioning some of the possibilities this poor little thing who seemingly wasn't aware of them!"

"The tradition you mentioned has not been used for gigavorns and it was considered barbaric even then." – Soundwave interjected in an icy tone. He projected that coldness into Dreadnought's processor too to calm him down. – "Neither of us has even considered it"

"Especially as there is no need for it."

Megatron held Optronix close and glowered nastily at the suddenly unsure-looking Seeker. Soundwave couldn't read the flier's processor directly but he could well extrapolate his thoughts from his behaviour; the Seeker wouldn't dare to demand proof, but he did consider Megatron's unspoken bluff to be real. If Optronix was with sparkling then his insults were in effect pointless, dangerous, whatever plan he's been hatching moot. But it was a risky bluff with Optronix present and that was where the Seeker's red optics flashed immediately.

Optronix himself barely got over his shock when suddenly all the attention was focused on him. He was hugged close to Megatron's dark plating, the strength, the warmth and the trickling worry and care through the bond gave him the feeling of safety. The idea that the Winglord said was… barbaric but at the same time unfortunately believable - so far as he learned about Kaonites.

What made him disregard it as an eventuality was Megatron himself. The warlord was fierce and possessive in everything and Optronix couldn't for a single astrosecond imagine that he'd give his mate willingly to even his own brothers. Not to mention a complete stranger… He realized that in the last groon or so he came to trust the big mech who has never broken his word to Optronix and seemed to change completely towards him. And… yes, he came to love this Megatron lately, the young mech admitted it to himself.

Optronix straightened his back struts and lifted his helm proudly. He made no move to free himself from Megatron's embrace as he spoke up with the same icy politeness he talked to Dreadnought on previous occasions.

"Winglord Starscream, I can assure you that Lord Megatron is quite enough of a mech for me. Your rudeness is not appreciated and I suggest removing yourself from this company."

Soundwave nodded inwardly and cheered the young mech. There was an advantage in having a diplomatically trained mate beside Megatron and it came out perfectly now. Optronix revealed nothing, confirmed nothing, but diffused the Seeker's little bomb with impeccable politeness and form. Without any mech deactivating the Seeker. Yet.

"We… we'll have to see soon some proof!" – Starscream hissed, but his wings betrayed his insecurities – "Until then… Vos will wait."

He stormed out of the empty tavern, Soundwave signalling the guard to let the Seeker go without a fuss. He wouldn't go far anyway. Optronix gently freed himself from Megatron's embrace and stood facing them with a thoughtful expression.

"He thinks that I'm sparked now, right?"

Soundwave nodded silently. Megatron's servo tightened into a fist.

"And he wants to see proof of it soon."

It wasn't really a question so none of them insulted him with an unnecessary answer.