Would you look at that. Another chapter. only a month this time! woooh!
Okay. so vacation? I love it. I love being lazy. so there. there is the reason for the waiting time. Woops.
Warning: Un-beta'ed
The darkness of the evening was broken by a blue light ordinating from a swirling pool of light. A dark blue mech carrying a yellow figure walked out of it followed by a cat like mechanic and a flying one.
The blue light disappeared right after the four and the dark blue mech looked around the area. Scanning it for any danger.
The silence returned as the figure stood in the middle of the small field they had entered when leaving the blue portal.
The flying creature landed on the dark mech's shoulder after flying around the field and the trees surrounding the small field.
"I believe it is safe sir." The female flyer seemed calm as she reported her findings.
The cat like transformers was still sniffing the ground around them and still scanning it but didn't disagree with her findings.
The standing mech didn't relax until Ravage was done with his scanning and gave the "All clear boss". But once he got it Soundwave relaxed and quickly moved to the side. Out of view of the field and under the protective layer of the trees from the sky.
"Laserbeak, Ravage. Both of you keep watch" Soundwave gave one last look around the lines of tree before he slowly kneeled down on the ground and moved his arms. By moving his arms he pulled the mech in his arms into the open and away from his chestplates.
The yellow mech was still unconscious.
Soundwave laid the mech gently unto the ground on the mech's side to unsure that he was not hurting any more.
After laying the mech down went soundwave to look into his subspaces. He always had a few medic tools with him and some spare energon but this would not be enough to last them for more than a few days.
The dark blue mech pushed the worry about the energon away for now as he set to work to welding the wounds on the doorwing and the yellow helmet. Most of this was done in silence, the only thing that broke it were the quiet moans and whines in pain and the quiet apologises from the normally silent mech for hurting the other.
It took longer than Soundwave wanted it to but that didn't matter. He managed to close the wounds to the best of his abilities but it would still demand a medic.
Soundwave sighed sadly as he gently stroked one of the two wings as the other rested. Had he had the supplies and time to study he would have been able to repair the damage much better, but he didn't had either.
"What do are we going to do boss?" Ravage asked over their mind link as he scanned the surrounding area.
Soundwave sighed as he looked up from the scout and looked trees. He knew what he needed to do, didn't mean he was happy with it. But he replied, knowing his symbiotes would hear him "Bumblebee is in need of repairs. Repairs done by a medic."
Both Laserbeak and Ravage were quiet before Laserbeak replied "That would be best sir. And we will help."
Soundwave felt gratitude to his cassette as he nodded "I know you two will."
Ravage appeared from the bushes and sat down next to his cassette master "So how are you going to break the news to the Autobots what happened?"
.~,~.
The Autobot base was calm.
Well, as calm as things could be with Miko asking questions about every single thing that involved cybertronium relationships. Poor Bulkhead just couldn't keep up with his charge's questions and thoughts.
Jack had taken to trying to get Miko to stop with the questions, while Raf had taken to sitting with Ratchet and asking small questions about the situation. Ratchet hadn't been sure which to answer and which weren't appropriate to answer, it was a difficult situation.
Optimus was slowly making his way through the information on the relics when a small message appeared.
The Prime tilted his head slightly, a human habit he had started to copy, and cautiously scanned the message. It seemed to just be a message, no files attached to it which could contain a virus but the sender and origin coordinates were heavily encrypted.
The red and blue truck quickly checked over his shoulder pads and saw that everyone from his team was still busy. The last Prime opened the message and set to work on deciphering it.
The coordinates at the bottom was the easiest to work through. The text itself took a lot longer but it was worth the time. Especially when the message itself became clear.
To the Autobot Optimus Prime, formally known as Orion Pax.
This message is about the Autobot known as Bumblebee.
The situation has been changed and I am willing to meet with you about a possible return.
If you still have this wish the negotiations can start.
Come Alone.
If you do not there will be no talking about a possible return.
Sincere, Soundwave.
Following the sincere was a line of numbers which lead to some forest a country or so away. Optimus reread the message and frowned, another human habit, as he leaned back and thought.
Finally a message. Finally a signal that their scout was still alive.
Optimus looked back at the group and signalled Ratchet over. The medic looked slightly puzzled but left his tools to see what Optimus wanted to talk about.
Before the white with red mech could ask anything he was already motioned over to the message on screen. Ratchet read the message while Optimus waited for his friend's reaction. He saw his old friend tense up, his servos change into fists and afterwards move to one of the wrenches not too far from him. Optimus put his own servo on the shoulder of the other to stop him from throwing it.
"My old friend." Optimus started but Ratchet glared at him.
"This is clearly a trap." The medic snapped before glaring at the message again.
The Prime nodded and sighed "I am aware of that… but it is a risk I am willing to take." The leader looked at the medic "And I know that you would have as well.".
The red and white mech sighed and looked back at the others "How are you going to explain to them?" The medic looked slightly amused "More important, how are you going to keep Arcee from following you?"
"I was hoping you would help a friend out…" Optimus started as he looked at the femme not far away "She is very stubborn and when two higher ranking officers were to tell her…"
Ratchet was smiling and shaking his head "IF you are going on a suicide mission you can tell them about it yourself."
"What should Optimus tell us himself?" Smokescreen was looking at them curiously as he stood close by. His question seemed to trigger all the other bots and humans there.
Optimus and Ratchet both looked slightly unsure with how to start before Ratchet just looked at Optimus expecting, leaving it up to the Prime on how to tell his team.
The leader looked at the members of his team before starting "A message has appeared, regarding Bumblebee."
Raf jumped up from his seat as he smiled happily. Arcee pushed forwards and stopped right in front of Optimus "When are we moving out? I am ready to-"
Optimus held up his servo to stop Arcee from continuing.
"The message included an invitation for negotiations to get the Decepticons to return Bumblebee." Optimus looked over them "However, this includes a demand that I go alone to the coordinates" he hadn't even finished his sentence before the bots started to protest. Optimus calmly waited for them all to say what they needed, all of them speaking at the same time making him unable to hear most of the complains.
What was most surprising was how suspiciously silent a certain femme was. Arcee hadn't even started to give her own protest. She had moved to the computer to read the message. Jack was the first to notice this and he walked over to her guardian.
"Cee? Is something wrong?" Jack could hit himself for that "Well, more than… you know." He tried again awkwardly. The motorcycle seemed to be glaring at the message but Jack could see her optics moving, and knew she was still reading it. Jack himself looked at the translated message curiously but it just said what Optimus had already said but with Soundwave's name on it and-
"Soundwave is really proud on being a Decepticon right?" Jack asked the bots, he knew the answer but he needed to check.
The others stopped their talking and turned to Jack. Optimus was the one to answer the question "Soundwave was one of the first, if not the first, to join Megatron's ranks and the Decepticon army. At the start of the war he helped Megatron define the rights they would fight for."
Jack nodded, ignoring Wheeljack's comment about "Filthy cons.". Jack turned back to Arcee, knowing she had seen it too.
"Why would someone that loyal to the Decepticons not add the Decepticon name to his own name?" Jack questioned as he looked at Optimus "He added the whole Autobot thing to both you and Bumblebee… But not the Decepticon name to himself?"
Silence filled the room as Ratchet quickly reread the message and turned to Optimus. The prime was already checking the original message but shook his head "There is not a word about the Decepticons in the original message."
Wheeljack snorted "It must be a trap. That is obvious.".
"I don't know Jackie." Bulkhead started as he had a thoughtful face "It is Soundwave. To him his loyalty to the Decepticons is the most important thing."
Wheeljack shrugged "So? That old buckethead probably ordered him to not add that to make it stand out and to get Prime to agree to it."
"Would he think that up though? I mean, we didn't even notice." Smokescreen questioned.
All the bots looked unsure, most humans did as well. With an exception of Miko, who looked rather excited.
She was grinning from ear to ear as she read the message "Well I think it is a great idea!" Miko grinned "Optimus goes there, keeps into contact with us. We have that portal bridge thing ready-"
Ratchet groaned "Ground bridge. It really isn't that difficult."
"-And if anything goes wrong we open it and save the day. Easy as pie!" Miko continued as if no one had interrupt her.
Raf looked at the girl curiously "But it is Soundwave. He would jam all communication right?"
The human girl just waved it off with an 'it will be fine!'.
Jack gave his friend a suspicious look "You mean. You think it is a good idea to let Optimus go alone?" The human girl just nodded "You mean. That you will not follow him to wherever he goes?"
A grin was Jack's answer as she spoke "But of course not. I follow the action, not negotiations." She looked rather proud on herself as she sat back on the couch and picked up her guitar "And honestly? I am very sure that when Optimus returns he will tell us all about what he and Soundwave are going to talk about."
The youngest human looked confused as he sat next to the older girl "How are you so sure it will be okay? How are you so sure that… everything will be okay?" Raf didn't seem willing to speak to early about Bee's wellbeing.
Miko smiled as she spoke "You guys may not always agree with this, but I am not stupid. Sure, school? Not my strongest quality. But I know people. And I have learned a lot about you bots. I have spent the last few days thinking and have come to a conclusion about this situation." She proudly petted one of her notebooks in her bag. Raf eyed it curiously before looking at Miko again.
"Nope, little guy." Miko grinned "Not going to show it just yet. Just sit back and enjoy the show. Bee is alright and will be home soon. At least if OP goes and meets Soundwave about this matter."
The bots all looked confused at the human while Ratchet and Optimus shared a look. Seemed like the human girl had come to the same conclusion they had thought as a possibility a while ago.
Was it possible that Soundwave's spark had decided on who it wanted as sparkmate?
And more important, was Soundwave aware of this? Were the Decepticons aware of this?
Arcee walked over to Optimus as she looked the Prime straight in the optics "I want to join to retrieve Bumblebee… But I know that if Soundwave gets the idea that you didn't follow the 'come alone' order…" The femme seemed to struggle but was determined "I will make him pay. For all the stress he has caused Bee. But I want Bumblebee back first… And if that means staying at base. I will for now." The Femme was still looking straight at Optimus "But I will be ready. If those Cons try anything I will be ready to give backup."
The prime nodded with a small smile "I know Arcee. And I thank you."
Ratchet sighed but nodded "Fine. Send back you will be there. But we will make plans to ensure your safe return and a way for you to send a message if anything happens."
The Prime nodded and made the reply to Soundwave in the same encrypted way. The other had done that for some reason, and if it wasn't a trap Optimus wanted to be sure that everything went without trouble.
Optimus tried to keep himself from getting to much hope as this was most likely a well-crafted trap by the Decepticons. His spark and the matrix resting there were both calm.
He just hoped he would be able to get the youngest Autobot finally back home with the team.
.~,~.
The red, blue and white mech exited the groundbridge in a forest in the early morning. The light of the sun was slowly creeping through the leaves above and illuminated the way. The Prime looked around as he scanned for any other mechs, the portal still open behind him. The scans returned negative and Optimus relaxed his battle stance.
"I have found no signal of others near me. I am going forward." Optimus spoke over the communication line as he started to walk forwards.
A small relieved sigh came over before Ratchet spoke "Understood Optimus. I will close the portal. Keep the line open so we can follow your location."
"I will my friend." Optimus continued walking as the light of the portal disappeared.
After the Bots had replied to the message they had nervously waited for the time. They had a location but no time and so they had waited. It only took a small moment before a reply had appeared. All that the message had read was a time.
With that time and the coordinates within the original message they had set to work. They checked the area and knew that there were no earthly elements that could break up the communication lines between them. They had carefully made plans on how to handle this meeting to ensure success.
One of those plans included an open communication line. One that would stay open until Optimus had returned to base. If anything went wrong on the mission Optimus would close it. Even if Soundwave would make talking over the line impossible the line could remain open. If the line were to close they would know that Optimus needed help and they would open a groundbridge right by Optimus and move out to help their leader.
But until that happened, it was all up to Optimus.
Optimus continue to walk forwards and saw that the forest was opening up. Soon he entered a large field.
The Prime continued to walk until he heard a voice call him to a stop. He stopped and looked around. He spotted the small symbiotic on a tree branch.
"Laserbeak." Optimus spoke calmly and paid close attention to the surroundings. He was out in the open and in a, possible, dangerous position.
The bird like cassette was staring at the Prime "That communication link. Do they hear all what is said or only you?"
Optimus shouldn't have been surprised, communication was Soundwave's position. "They can not hear all that is being said."
"A basic link then. Nothing to complicated. Just a way to stay into contact." The voice came from the ground and Optimus spotted the panther like cassette close to the ground, partly hidden.
Laserbeak seemed to think for a bit before speaking "Not meant to listen in but to ensure safety. Simple links like those are easier to transmission and for that reason a lot harder to block without attracting attention." The small symbiote seemed almost impressed.
The other nodded "That won't endanger the position."
"Endanger for who?" Optimus spoke calmly and both the cassette seemed to remember he was even there as they both looked at the mech.
Both seemed to think before Laserbeak answered "Position should remain as hidden as possible." After that the cassette flew off the branch and went to fly around the surrounding forest. The cassette near the ground remained silent but watched Optimus closely.
Optimus thought the answer over for a bit. All the Autobots were already aware of this meeting and the location, Soundwave must be aware of his fact. Were the Decepticons worried about the people from MECH? They never seemed to see them as a problem before.
A few minutes went by before Laserbeak landed again. The second she landed the cyber cat rose.
"Okay let's be clear on this for a moment. We have no interest in fighting. Any signal of any type of groundbridge and we are out and so is your chance to ever see your teammate again." The cyber cat jumped up on a tree branch "Is that understood?"
Optimus made sure that both the symbiotes saw him nod as he answered "I understand."
Both of the minicons looked at the Prime before Laserbeak continued where the Ravage had left off "Good. Sir will want to speak about a matter that concerns the Autobot Bumblebee. However, you will need to stay calm while the situation is explained."
"I will listen." Optimus waited for the next condition but the small transformers seemed to be done as they both got ready and waited, both hyper alert.
Optimus didn't hear anything but he saw a shadow walk from the other side of the field. The shape made it obvious it was Soundwave but the shape seemed off.
Soundwave walked out into the open and Optimus felt fury fill his spark.
In the Decepticon's arms was Bumblebee. Who was badly damaged.
Optimus was considering how to alert his team of the situation and how to get his scout away from the Decepticon when Soundwave tilted his head just slightly and Laserbeak flew down a bit.
"Sir didn't damage Bumblebee!" she spoke quickly, trying to keep the Prime from outright attacking her creator "That damage is the reason for us being here…" The small flyer stopped speaking and looked at the other cassette.
Ravage was still on the branch in the tree but looked ready to jump down as he spoke "He needs medical attention. And a lot of it. It is why we contacted you."
Optimus paused as he looked at the three Cybertroniums "Wat happened?" Optimus made sure to keep his voice steady and calm as he spoke "If you were not the one to damage him."
Ravage rolled his optics but Laserbeak answered "Megatron."
"I see…" Optimus looked at Soundwave "You spoke of negotiations in your message. What do you wish to talk about?"
Ravage grinned as he sat up more while Laserbeak seemed worried.
"You see big mech. That matter is easy." Ravage spoke calmly and slightly amused "You want Bumblebee back obviously. Seeing as Bumblebee needs medical help that is the most logical choice. However, we didn't spend so much time working to getting him and boss to be in the same space together before to just give that up." The cybercat spoke of it casually while all the others in the clearing tensed up, Soundwave even shot his symbiont a disapproving look. "So you can understand. That while we all agree and want Bumblebee to get his repairs we do not want to just give him to you and that be it." Ravage stopped and grinned at the Prime.
Optimus looked at the small mech before looking at Soundwave with a slight glare. Soundwave responded by taking a slight step back and pulling the yellow mech closer to himself.
"And what is it that you suggest?" Optimus spoke calmly but distrusting.
Ravage just grinned.
.~,~.
Ratchet was looking at the screens in front of him as he waited for the link to Optimus to just blink out. The others of the team were ready while the humans sat on a spot on the railing to get a clear view of the groundbridge.
Everyone was tense as they waited.
Suddenly Optimus's voice filled the room "Optimus too base. I am ready to return to base, please open a groundbridge. But prepare the medbay."
Everyone froze as Ratchet pointed at Smokescreen and Arcee to prepare the medbay while Ratchet himself opened the groundbridge.
The others of the team all looked nervous as they saw a shadow walk towards them through the blue swirling mass of the portal.
Optimus walked out and everyone was ready to be relieved when they noticed who was in his arms. And in what state he was in.
Ratchet spotted the scout and ran over to Optimus and Bumblebee and quickly checked his wounds. The medic quickly noticed the welts keeping the wounds closed. Ratchet gave the Prime a look, expecting an explination.
Optimus looked at the others but before he could say anything another voice spoke.
"So this is the base? Honestly, I expected more. Oh well whatever works." The bots and humans quickly turned and saw Soundwave and his two symbiotes stand by him.
So... lets all be honest here. Who saw that coming? Please raise hands if you did.