A/N: Another chapter - thanks for the lovely reviews. Hope you like this.

/comm speak/

memories

Shades of Grey 12

Prowl stood stiff and straight as Shockwave analysed his systems. He was taller in his new upgrades, they felt stronger, although it had taken some time to learn control of his larger sensory panels. His battle computer was serving him admirably. Ever since his encounter with his Sire, Prowl had shunted any and all emotions through that part of his processor. His thoughts were logical, ordered, he still felt but his control was considerable, nobody could see or even guess as to what he was thinking and feeling which was the only way he was going to fool Shockwave, he would have to be patient however, Shockwave was not a mech easily fooled.

"You are tense." The scientist uttered, his single optic focused on a console in front of him.

Prowl allowed his sensory panels to twitch and relax ever so slightly. "I'm still getting used to the frame and the processor upgrades you've given me."

Shockwave nodded, turning back to Prowl with scrutiny. "How is the tactical centre running? Any processor aches?"

"No, only a mild one when it went online. There is however, something strange that I've encountered."

"Mm?" Shockwave hummed, continuing his scans of Prowl's frame.

"There are new protocols embedded into my tactical subroutines, they're encrypted with restricted access."

Shockwave met Prowl's curious gaze and gave him an understanding pat on the shoulder. "We had to install them in case your battle computer ever goes offline; it prevents a feedback loop being sent back into your processor which would result in a significant degree of damage."

"I see." Prowl murmured, his uncertainty, distrust masked expertly by the stoic mask he now always wore.

"You're a valuable asset, Prowl." Shockwave continued. "You understand that I had to take precautions, to protect you?"

Bowing his helm slightly, Prowl offered the scientist the briefest of smiles – it was enough to keep Shockwave from getting suspicious. "I understand. It's only prudent."

"Good, your upgrades are complete. Take some time to recuperate. I have a task for you. Your first real task." Shockwave's tone was stern, his optic glowing intently. "You know what this means?"

"Yes. I am to replace my creators as ruler of Praxus, under your guidance."

"And with you as Lord, Praxus's resources will come to me. Together we will make Cybertron great again. It is a joyous cycle, Prowl. I only wish your progenitors were here to see it, but—"

"—They did not understand the gravity of their responsibilities."

"Exactly." Shockwave was pleased, he'd taught the young mech well. Now it was only a matter of time.

"I'm ready. I will do what my creators could not." Prowl responded quietly, his processor quietly working out the probability that as Lord he would be able to get the Prime's attentions, would the Prime even believe him if he did? A mad scientist with delusions of grandeur? The notion was so ludicrous that sometimes even Prowl doubted himself.

Earth

First Aid stiffened as Ratchet drew closer, his optics bright and fearful. Ratchet wasn't certain if the younger mech even knew it was him or where he was. His quiet murmurs and occasional whimpers of a certain spy's designation were unsettling to say the least.

"How are you feeling?" Ratchet sat beside him cautiously, his optics passively scanning the smaller frame.

"Ratchet?" First Aid murmured, glazed over optics looking through him, distant.

"I'm here."

First Aid nodded weakly. "I can still feel him in my processor... I know it was him, Mirage wouldn't…" His vocaliser stuttered as the younger medic tripped over his words. "I saw what the others were like once they'd been through the space bridge. They went to Shockwave." He frowned as he recalled the blank optics and subservient mechs and femmes that had returned. "They're never the same, he does things to their processors, their sparks… he's looking for something."

"What's he looking for?" Ratchet prompted gently. His spark sank as First Aid told him about Autobots he cared about that had been sent through the space bridge only to return altered, obedient. The younger medic told him of damaged processors, sparks that had been tampered with, one half of a bonded pair surviving the loss of their spark-mate; something simply not possible by Ratchet's understanding. Shockwave had been experimenting on Cybertronians regardless of their faction in his quest for something, a way to control sparks, manipulate bonds? What was it that Shockwave was after, what would give him control and advantage over Megatron?

"He wants everything… absolute power." First Aid whispered. "Can you imagine, him ruling all Cybertronians, ruling Earth?"

Ratchet didn't have an answer to that. Once Shockwave had achieved his ultimate goal, he would then turn his attentions to the humans, to Earth's population. If he was already on Earth then something must have happened to drive him here. Ratchet knew the scientist wouldn't have wanted to carry out his plans directly under Megatron's watchful optic, that's why he'd remained behind, remained at Darkmount continuing the Decepticon fight back on Cybertron. That 'con knew better than to tempt fate, as Ratchet had seen once before, a long time ago.

Cybertron

"This is wrong."

"I do not remember giving you the choice, Prowl." Shockwave replied bland, controlled as ever even as the Praxian Lord fumed before him. "Do you trust me?"

"Those people trusted me! Where did that get them? Where are they now?" Prowl glared at his advisor, his mouth a thin line, his denta clenched even as his processor raged in turmoil, conflicted. His already over-taxed battle computer was working faster than ever to maintain his impassive, cold front. He'd already managed to make contact with the Prime, arrange a meeting; patience was all that was required, if he revealed any of his plans to Shockwave the scientist would cut his losses and disappear. Prowl knew he was already backed by the powerful rebel leader rising up out of Kaon, a rebel leader that was now declaring war against Prime himself. He only had to bide his time. "How can you ask me to trust you when you continue to keep me in the dark?"

"Prowl, you know better than anyone that sacrifices need to be made for the greater good." Shockwave spoke eloquently, unperturbed by the black and white's ire. "You shall be aware of all soon enough." Moving closer Shockwave rested his hands on the slightly smaller mech's shoulders. "You have been most loyal, you shall be rewarded."

Glaring fiercely at his once guardian come advisor, Prowl shook his helm. "This isn't about reward. My duty is to do what is best for Praxus and its citizens. That is what this is about, Shockwave."

Drawing back slightly, his single optic brightening subtly, Shockwave tilted his helm. "You must have patience, Prowl."

"I've looked the other way on a number of occasions, Shockwave, I trusted your work." If there was one thing Prowl had learned from his creator's sibling, it was how to lie. "I refuse to this time. Either fill me in of your plans for those people, or-"

"-Or what?"

"I'll be forced to suspend all your resources." Prowl shrugged off the hand's of the scientist and faced him confidently. "I am no longer a mechling under your control. This is my city and their protection is my priority. I'm sure you can see reason."

"Indeed. I will have a detailed report on your desk within the cycle." Shockwave replied quietly.

Giving him a curt nod, Prowl let out a soft ex-vent of air. "Thank you, I'm glad we'll finally get the opportunity to work together this time."

"As am I." The purple mech murmured softly as Prowl took his leave.

"He's matured. Confident." Came the low rumble from behind the scientist as another mech stepped out from the shadows.

Shockwave glanced briefly over his shoulder. "It was to be expected."

"Will he be a threat? Does he know the truth?"

"He's no threat." Turning to the taller mech, the scientist bowed his helm in respect. "He will be our greatest asset my Lord."

"How can you be certain?"

Shockwave's single optic glowed intently at his companion. "He does not have a choice."

"See that he doesn't."

From his hidden vantage point behind a solid wall, Prowl's intakes hitched. Trembling white hands balled into fists against the hidden door as he heard everything being said in the hall of his palace. Filing the conversation to memory, Prowl backed away as footsteps signalled the two mechs' departure. It was now or never. He needed to take his evidence and get out, get it to Optimus Prime as soon as possible.

Rushing but not running through the palace, Prowl ignored any of the odd glances he received from various mechs and femmes; he was under no delusion that most of the staff were working for Shockwave. Straight-faced and determined he headed straight for the private transport. He had all the data he needed. Breaking into the private lab, he knew Shockwave didn't want him to know about had been a test of his patience. It had taken him almost an orn to gain entry.

Stepping onto the transport he took a look back at the palace, Shockwave would know of his disappearance soon enough. It felt wrong to leave Praxus, his city, to such a mech after only a short vorn in power, but under the circumstances he had no other choice. "Iacon." He issued the voice command to the transport and soon the palace was nothing more than a shining speck on the horizon.

"Prowl, this meeting is most unorthodox." Prime's powerful voice echoed through the room. "You realise the situation we're facing?"

Helm still bowed in respect, Prowl gave a nod. "I do, Prime, which is why I felt that you needed to hear this information urgently. I am certain this will determine your decision."

"My decision?" The tall red and blue mech quirked an optic ridge at the Praxian.

"War, Prime. I am aware, more than aware of the situation regarding Megatron and his forces. I have evidence that indicates Shockwave is working with him and they're siphoning the resources of Praxus to fuel their cause."

"Praxus?" Azure optics flashed dangerously. "My tactical advisors informed me Praxus was neutral in this. They would not be involved in the war."

Straightening, his sensory panels stiff with tension, Prowl acknowledged him with an even stiffer nod. "That was my ruling, Prime. I acted in the best interests of my city, but Shockwave's… research has put us at great risk. I thought I could once trust him, I was wrong."

Regarding the young Praxian curiously, Prime's tone remained stern. "You came for my help?"

"I did not. I came to inform you who Megatron allies himself with. Shockwave is formidable and he will not stop until he gets what he wants."

"And that is?"

"Domination, Prime. He believes in Megatron's cause. He will use all the resources at his disposal to help him and to continue his work."

"You know this for certain?"

"I do. It's in the data file I've provided you with." Prowl's face plates creased into a frown. "I must return, he must be stopped."

Prime shook his helm with low growl. "Shockwave is one of Cybertron's greatest scientists. Super soldiers, ultimate control, and plans to overthrow the leading council? This changes a lot. Has he managed to complete any of his research, create one of these… super soldiers?"

"Not to my knowledge, Prime. This is why I must return, who knows how many more will fall victim to his experiments."

Meeting Prowl's earnest gaze Optimus began to speak before an alarm klaxon sounded throughout Iacon. Touching his audio finial, Optimus leapt to his feet and gestured for Prowl to follow him. "You can't be serious?" His voice boomed through the palace at a red mech rushing to meet them, his face grim.

"It's all over the comm. network, Prime." The red mech shook his helm ruefully. "Praxus is gone."

/You betrayed me, Prowl. That comes with its own reward./ Prowl winced as he felt the words creep into his processor, the encrypted files were being accessed remotely. "No… it's not possible…" He whispered, clutching his helm. Suddenly he was bombarded with images of his city, his beautiful Praxus being rained upon by plasma weapons from above. His intakes stalled and the black and white fell to his knees, clawing at his helm as the unnerving calm of Shockwave's voice bled into his processor. "NO!"

/You shouldn't have left, Prowl. Their sparks are on you. You belong to me. You always did. I will wait for your return./

Prime turned sharply as Prowl fell to the ground with a scream, both hands clutching at his helm. "Get Ratchet, get him NOW!" He ordered, rushing to the mech's side as the public comm. network displayed the attack on Praxus as it was razed to the ground.

Earth

Optimus arched off the berth, his optics flickering online. Glaring up at the mech stood at the side of the berth, he growled and flexed his restrained hands, eager to grab the scientist and put a stop to his atrocities once and for all.

"Welcome back. You have something I want."

"You will get nothing from me, Shockwave."

Tilting his helm at the Prime with an amused click, the purple scientist fiddled with a probe he'd plugged into Optimus's helm, directly into his processor.

"Actually, in bonding, you provided me with everything I need. All my vorns of research and now my greatest creation controls the actions of the last Prime. I could not have asked any more from you."

"Prowl…" The Prime murmured as his worry and fear rippling through the bond. Growling in anger, Optimus tried to pull away from the hands examining his helm. "He is not yours to take."

"He was always mine and you gave yourself to him. How very Autobot of you."

"I'll give you nothing!" Optimus couldn't help the cry of pain as the probe embedded into his processor was activated.

"You've already given me, everything." Came the monotone reply.

Cybertron

"Can you help him?"

"I'm not certain what's wrong with him. His processor… I don't know, Prime I've never seen anything like this."

Sighing softly the Prime leaned over the Praxian with concern in his optics. "He's one of the last now, Ratchet…"

"I can only do my best, Prime. He has advancements in his processor we've only touched on in scientific research and even then only in the laboratory and there's something else."

Frowning at the wary tone of his medic, Prime waited for him to explain.

"There's a coding, it's causing a feedback loop in his processor, a logic malfunction. It's like his processor is fighting itself, contradicting itself."

"Can you stop it, remove the coding?"

Ratchet shook his helm. "It's integrated and protected; the most I can do is prevent it from accessing the rest of his processor, set up secure firewalls."

"Will it help him?"

"I can only try."

"Do it."

Earth

Jazz cried out and fell back, his processor aching from the hack. Intakes heaving he forced him self up and crawled to his bondmate. "Prowl… are you alright, Prowl?"

Pale blue optics flickered online and Prowl gazed up into the visor looking down on him. "You breached the firewalls…"

"I did… frag, mech, everything that happened to you… I didn't know… I'm so sorry…" Cupping the Praxian's face, Jazz rested his helm against the red chevron, his spark lurching as a burst of worry and fear flared up from Prime's part of their bond. "The coding, Prowl… I don't understand what he has on you. You weren't responsible for any of that… you know that ri-acck!"

Jazz felt the hand close tightly about his throat, slowly crushing his energon lines. "…Pr-Prowl….?" He choked and began to struggle, fingers curling into the white hand tightening its grip about him until his world spun and he found himself lying on his back staring up into the cold optics of Prowl.

"I'm sorry, Jazz." The Praxian uttered; his tone unfeeling, deadly.

Hacking into his mate's helm, Prowl accessed the recharge protocols and put Jazz into stasis before the special ops mech could even twitch in defence. Dropping the black and white to the ground, Prowl stood and touched his audio.

/I'm waiting, Prowl. Time to come home./