The Sleepless Giant

Okay, friends, I'm back. Here's another chapter, along with a heads up. From here I'm going out of order. After this chapter will be TMI - Bulkhead starts losing his mind from the canister, Stronger Faster - Ratchet goes mad, rock bottom to partners, and then from there. Kinda fits with what I want to do.

Anyway, here we go. Time to have a little fun with Soundwave. Also, I'm really sorry that I disappear. My mom got laid off from her job, so I'm not only working overtime, I'm also job hunting for something with $20 an hour. If you guys know something like that here in CA, let me know. Oh and the new Spider-Man came out and I've been engrossed in that.

xxx

What a hectic week this has been. First a magnetizing Decepticon weapon, then Arachnid comes out of the woodwork, two Bounty Hunters from who knows how long ago try to collect AGAIN on Selena's head, Bulkhead and Arcee became back buddies, Arachnia and Breakdown became back buddies...and now...Arachnid gets to live on the Nemesis. Great. If anything else can happen, it can happen a year from now. That's how long everyone planned to nap. This was all just too stressful. Good thing Megatron was in a good mood. He granted everyone's plight for a respite. A very good thing because Knockout was going to cleave everyone clean of their armor, and skin, for the mess Arachnid, Selena, and Breakdown caused.

See, Selena wasn't too keen with Arachnid being brought into the motley crew, but saw no other way of getting Megatron off her back than to get Arachnid off Breakdown's. So she took the petty, vengeful route and...well...a slip in between and a hard two foot kick and Arachnid went flying in Knockout's lab, taking out one of his instruments in the process. Breakdown and Selena made the mistake of laughing at her because she attacked them, then this big fight occured...and Knockout's lab now looks like the aftermath of the apocalypse. He was not amused. So not amused that he found this godlike strength and tossed Airachnid and Breakdown like they were salads. Selena managed to escape before being flicked. She's just going to go to bed.

It's not everyday the Cons and Selena get to have some down time on the Nemesis. Usually Megatron is sending out waves of scouts to scrounge every single, solitary ounce of energon that he can squeeze out of Earth. Tireless hours of nonstop digging, excavating, and troops being crushed and either saved or tossed into the scrap pile. In this latest week, it's just been extra exhausting. So why isn't Selena sleeping? Because she's that unfortunate schmuck who suffers from insomnia on the randomest of days.

"Figures the one time we get down time...yyaawwnnn…" She stretched out in her walk down the corridor, "I can't sleep!" And when she can't sleep she just goes to the training room to tire herself out. It could be the jetlag keeping her up. They do bounce around timezones a lot, and she gets woken up after two hours of night in one place because its daylight in the next. Sometimes the reverse is true. "A little punching and kicking and I'll be right as…" She yawned loudly again, stretching out and opening her mouth wide, swelling water at the corner of her eyes, "Rain…" That's if she doesn't fall asleep while walking. That sounds nice, actually. If it weren't for the fact that she'll walk right through the walls. The construction crew can't take another one of her destructive walks.

Selena turned down the next corridor, really wishing she had the strength to at least fly. Feels like it takes her a week to walk down one hallway. "Huh?" She paused at the corner, jolted awake by a surprising sight. "Waves?" Soundwave was meandering away from her down the same hallway. It's not surprising to see Soundwave up and about. Selena's pretty sure he's the only Con on the ship that doesn't sleep. She actually caught him siphoning a long stream of information coming from across the cosmos for a week and a half without rest. That can't be healthy. The thing is, though, he usually hangs out in the communications hub. Always eavesdropping on everyone. Tuning into Autobot chatter, scouring for fellow Decepticons, tuning in to the idle chit chat on the ship. Who knows what banter he has from her and Starscream. She prays she never finds out.

"Hmm…" She decided to float him when he veered immediately to the right. Toward the ship's groundbridge. Sheepishly wrapping her fingers to the corner, she peeked around. Soundwave was activating the groundbridge via his motherboard. She can tell because the panel was stagnant, and the lights on his face showed up on the dark wall. The handle moved down of its own accord, and the bridge opened. "Where's he going this late?" Selena activated her scouter, remotely accessing the information shared into the panel. Soundwave isn't the only one who can play spy. As Soundwave meandered into the vortex, Selena flew in closer and the transfer completed. As she expected, the panel's destination sequencer was offline. But that didn't stop her scouter from transmitting Soundwave's coordinates right to her scouter in three...two...one. "Uruguay?" A pretty festive place for a stoic bot like Soundwave. The food there is pretty amazing. And the sites...the nation of America needs to accept that they are not the leading land with marvelous scenery. Not that any of that matters. Soundwave doesn't site see. Ever. Not once since she joined this motley crew. "Megs must have him on a mission." Nothing out of the ordinary. So she put it out of her mind and went to find somewhere to sleep. She's sure he'll come back when he's ready. He always does.

xxx

Steeljaw, Lockdown, Arachnid, energon, Autobots, Decepticons, Polarity Gauntlets, MECH, Magneetians - Earth is a homing beacon for what the people consider to be "the other intelligent life." What many of them have wrote off as myth, conspiracy theories, movie plots, and the like, have been living right under their noses since before their first president. This planet is pretty basic with all the closed minded humans. But it can't be denied that it attracts some pretty interesting characters. What other secrets could this earth be hiding? What else could possibly happen? When I asked those questions...the answer I got further along down the line...made me realize just how truly ignore I am. With all I have seen, with all I have experienced, with everyone I've met, and with my abilities, you would think I'd be open to the often underestimated fact that "Anything can happen." And I do mean everything.

'Residing within the darkest crevices of the planet, where no man can reach with their vigorous of efforts, a beating synonymous to heart begins to throb.'

xxx

Selena awoke the next morning with a pretty drawn out yawn. She was drifting aimlessly like she usually does when she's half asleep, dragging half her dead body. She must be on the precipice of starving. Checking the time on her phone, she was astonished to have slept until four the next afternoon. "When is the last time I ate?" It must have been a while. "Good thing I saved up. My eating habits would kill someone." Don't ever ask how she is paying for her food...or anything. She will never tell. She just pulls money out of thin air.

Speaking of thin air, she should probably apparate into the bridge to see what Megatron has planned for today. Most likely some elaborate plan to hijack an entire mountain and start bleeding it dry for Energon. Maybe she'll get to chase after another artifact from Cybertron. She has to admit that the Magnetic Gauntlet from before was pretty impressive. If she had something like - to be able to harness that sort of kinetic energy - she would be virtually a god. Or some sort of step below. Either way, Optimus, Megatron, anyone dumb enough to half metal on them...would be under her thrall. "Ooh! I just gave myself the shivers." World domination, crushing folks under heel like insects - Megatron is rubbing off on her. In another life it would be acceptable.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CANNOT FIND HIM?!" Selena screamed and rocketed into the ceiling, clinging to the beam in a quiver. That was a frightening hurl of wind that came from the bridge doors. The doors flew open and the vehicons and eradicons were running for their lives, pleading and screaming for escape. Selena raised a brow with a nervous bead of sweat running down her brow. Do I really want know? "MUST YOU ALWAYS PROVE YOUR INCOMPETENCE TO ME?!"

"Oh…" Selena slowly floated from the beam. That wasn't a gust of wind. That was Megatron screaming. About what? She really doesn't want to know. She scaled the wall above the door, totally feeling like Spiderman, and poked her head in. Starscream, Breakdown, Knockout...BLEH...and Arachnid were cringing while in a line. Selena winced at the new knots they were sporting. Wonder what they did now? Maybe she should play it safe and leave. Megatron tries to hit her and...the Nemesis wouldn't survive that fight.

Starscream cleared his throat in his hand, mustering what little courage he had to step forward. Selena said a little prayer. "I assure you, Lord Megatron," He'd be more convincing, and raise morale, if he wasn't sniveling. Selena wanted to crawl away, "We have scoured this ship and scanned for his signature. "There is no sign of Soundwave anywhere." Selena was taken aback. Soundwave is missing? That's not right. She saw him leave through the bridge last night. Megatron didn't send him? Or did he just lose track of him? Neither of those sound possible where Soundwave and Megatron are concerned. Neither one takes a step without the other knowing the pace or space.

"THEN CHECK AGAIN!" Megatron roared. The swing of his massive arm created a gust that nearly knocked Starscream off his feet. He'd settled for that instead being hit. Selena did flinch at the near miss. Her heart stopped. "I will not lose my most valuable soldier! Not when we've already suffered another humiliating loss!"

He means the gauntlet. Selena knit her brow. This is getting bad. Soundwave really is missing. That isn't a good sign at all. "Umm…" She lazily flew inside, putting herself between a furious Megatron, and a scared staff. The Starscream and company - including Arachnid - saw her as a savior when she got in the middle. She may have entered sheepishly, but she was squaring to Megatron with the aura of a warrior ready for battle. "Trouble in paradise again?" She chirped. Megatron growled with a murderous glow. He despises her flippant greetings, and hates her casual air with him even more. She dares to take him as a joke. Even with her weakness in the palm of his hand.

"Apparently the famed eyes and ears of the Cons decided to step out without word." Knockout spoke up, trying his hardest to not meet Megatron's gaze. "No one's been able to contact him or pinpoint his location."

So that's how it is. "Wait, so Soundwave didn't come back last night?" She scratched her head, feigning having eavesdropped on this painful conversation.

Her ploy worked. Shocked expressions were shared amongst Megatron and his subordinates. "What do you mean didn't come back last night?" Megatron's growled rumbled like thunder. He stormed closer to her with deliberately slow steps. It might his oppressive nature, but Selena was scowling with unease of the violent violet aura wafting from Megatron. The dark energon in his chest could be reacting to his swelling impatience. "What do you know?" he demanded.

Selena's glare refined to a thousand knives, a gleam extending from the crimson irises. Her fingers spasmed so she wouldn't make a fist. "WHOA, WHOA, EASY, MEGS!" She pretended to back down, waving her hands frantically. "Don't shoot the witness here! I'm just confirming what I saw!" And do not force me to sink the floor under you. Megatron read her intentions when he felt the floor beneath him subtly vibrate. He hummed pensively, doubting she has the audacity to threaten him so openly. He grunt under his breath seeing the edge in her glare. She would be so brazen, as he should come to expect. Megatron relaxed his posture, putting his hands behind his back. His looming, eclosing presence, opened the floor to her, and the others. They felt like they could breathe again. "Last night, Soundwave opened a groundbridge and took off."

"You didn't think to question him?" Megatron grumbled, his brow twitching irately.

"I assumed it was for you seeing as he rarely leaves the ship, so I didn't ask." Clearly, even Soundwave can escape the omnipotence of his master. Selena narrowed her sights to Megatron, putting him on the spot, "You...did ask him to investigate something...right?" She let a smirk slip, which succeeded in pissing Megatron off.

"If I did, do you think I would be so perplexed?" there was sparks raging between their glares, the backlash narrowly missing Breakdown and Starscream. Knockout and Airachnid took several safe steps back.

"Whoa." Never known Wave to do anything without telling you first." Her smirk was only getting wider. She put a curled finger at her chin. "Are the planets out of alignment or something?" Megatron was having enough of her disrespect! He took a step forward, about to draw his fist back. This...purple haired...fleshy...INSECT! Arachnid was overly anxious to see a fight transpire, while Knockout and Starscream wanted to get as far away as possible.

"The planets are in their usual array!" Breakdown blurted, succeeding in cooling down the situation. "In order to keep the big boss here calm, don't suppose you saw where he went." Breakdown's point was seen. Causing a fight now would only cause greater disarray. Not something they need right now with SOundwave MIA.

"Actually, I was able to get his coordinates before he left." She activated her scouter, retrieving the information. "I may have been a little curious as to why he was up and bridging so I did what I do best."

"Spy?" Breakdown sneered.

"Eavesdrop?" Knockout hissed.

"Stick your nose in other's business?" Starscream derided.

"All of the above!" Selena held up a scorecard, marking her boys at flat zeros. The boys dropped their heads, raising vengeful fists. They'll do better next time. Arachnid was very baffled, and kind of put off, by their childish demeanor. Hearing Selena laugh at their expense, What in the name of primus relationship do they have? Selena finally found Soundwave's whereabouts. "He went to the Montevideo Coast of Uruguay. That mean anything?" She asked the whole room.

"Not in the slightest." Starscream folded his arms, lowering his head in deep thought.

"It's news to me." Knockout remarked. It escaped him why SOundwave would go there too. Breakdown and Airachnid had no clue either.

"Hmm…curious…" Megatron stroked his chin. He gained his underling's undivided attention. "There once was an enormous energon stockpile there. But that was picked clean years ago."

"Why would he go back then?" Arachnid finally chimed in, taking in interest in what is clearly uncharacteristic behavior for Soundwave. Perhaps there is a delicious secret known only to him.

"Who knows and who cares!" Knockout declared. "I say we get him back before he causes certain goodie bots to come running!"

"Agreed!" Selena raised her hand. The last thing they need is for the Bots to find their eyes and ears on his own. Soundwave is good but he's not good enough to take on five Bots alone.

"Hey, how do we know he's still there?" Breakdown proposed sheepishly. He doesn't need to have a processor operating on a higher frequency to know that Selena's data is 24 hours old. Not to mention his location is based off what came from the ground bridge. "He turned off his beacon."

"Did you try scanning for Beaky?" Selena proposed.

Heads just turned to her, and the expressions were between confused and weirdly intrigued. "Beaky?" Arachnid, Breakdown, Starscream, and Knockout harmonized their befuddlement.

"Laserbeak - Soundwave's bosom buddy. He has his own energy signature." Selena's too cutesy nickname for laserbeak was clicking. NOt so much laserbeak having a separate signature. "Soundwave likes to sneak around so he turns his signature module off. But he always keeps Beaky on for emergencies." Emergencies like this.

"DOH! WHY DIDN'T WE THINK OF THAT?!" Starscream cursed himself and the team. He pushed Arachnid aside, rushing to the control panel. Assuming Selena is correct, Starscream tuned the instruments for Laserbeak. The GPS had blips that covered the map of the whole planet, covering all four points with a fine toothed comb as they centered on Uruguay. The blips decreased little by little, centering on the coast and lighting up green. "Yes! It appears Soundwave is where you said...and isn't moving." He stated with mild concern. Selena didn't think he could sound concerned for Soundwave.

"Or it could just be Laserbeak." Knockout proposed.

"Not a chance. Waves doesn't go anywhere without Beaky. EVER!" Selena spread her hands, drawing that fine line. It's really creepy how attached those two are.

Megatron clamped his massive hands onto Knockout and Starscream's heads. The pressure mounting to their skulls had their knees buckling. "Well we aren't going to solve this mystery standing around here!" The two cried out and fell to their knees as he put his full weight down to lean in to glare at Selena. "GET GOING!"

"On it!" Selena grabbed Breakdown by the bicep and dragged him with her. He was protesting, cursing at her to stop pulling. He's not a protoform. Megatron shook his head aggravated, excusing himself to go clear his processor. Primus rest the souls of any soldier that get in his way.

"AAAHHH!" Oh. There goes Steve.

Airachnid pursed her lips, drumming her fingers to her bicep irritated. Mildly disgusted too. "Waves, Beaky, Megs..." And that is only three of the leads of this gloomy ship. She spat, emphasising disdainfully the final syllable on these ridiculous half names she throws around. She faced Starscream and Knockout with a leer rotted incredulity of their Decepticon pride. "Does she have dumb nicknames for all of you?"

"They aren't dumb!" Knockout pouted, smoothing a hand over his head bashfully. She calls him K.O, DocKnock, and Knocks. Ha! That's more than Starscream. he boasted to himself.

"I think someone is jealous she'll never get a nickname." Starscream teased, feeling very superior. Scream, Screamie...hmm.

"I don't need a nickname from that parasite." Airachnid scoffed with dripping hatred. These Decepticons are a disgrace! Allowing themselves to be wooed by the inane sentiment that is a nickname.

"Good." Knockout put his hands on his hips, leaning in with a scornful sneer. "Because she only gives them to those she genuinely cares for." Airachnid's brow knit with harsh incredulity. That bleeding heart of hers isn't just toxic to those humans.

xxx

Just outside the door, Megatron was straining his auditory receptors to this rather adorable banter. How quaint it is that his underlings cute loose and lose discipline the moment he leaves the room. His fingers were balling into taut fists, drawing enegrone from his palms from how amazed he is that this fleshling has the loyalty of three of his most elite officers wrapped to her little finger. The searing violet oozing from the dark energon circulating through his vein pooled to his red orbs, positively dripping with glee that a stunted species - a weaker species - can threaten his rule so effortlessly. Just merely by being...HER! His razor sharp teeth clenched with him growling in the back of his throat at how...absolutely… … ...necessary it will be to finally render her services to his cause. Hers...and the silver plated traitor she values so much. They will make the perfect martyrs for his absolute rule.

xxx

Breakdown let Selena drive him on their exit from the groundbridge. Using Soundwave's last coordinates, the two came out on a portion white, sandy beach behind a fissure of salt shaven rocks. Selena poked her head out of his sunroof, arching a brow at the beautiful pure blue horizon before her. The fresh breeze carrying the distinctive smell of the sea to her nose was oddly relaxing. Very relaxing. "Why the Hell would Soundwave go here of all places?"

"That's my question!" Breakdown exclaimed in disbelief. He coasted forward a tad, allowing him and Selena to peak to the full beachfront. Marble carved staircases leading to immaculate human homes atop shrubbery, and boulder covered hills. The curvature has it running like a cove, the scaling rock formations cutting it off from the outside world. A regular hideaway created by Earth's natural forces. "Why do I have this itch to just take it easy?"

"That's what beaches do. It pulls you to throw on sunblock and just kick it." She's relaxed on a beach or two...or four.

"Sunblock?"

"It's a cream humans apply to their skin, not unlike Knockout's wax, to protect their delicate skin from the sun's rays." She directed his attention to a human child that was red as a lobster. "That boy there is going to be sore tomorrow."

"Man. And I thought Knockout was red." Almost hurts his eyes to look at him. "Anyway, we should get goin'. Where does Laserbeak's signal put them?"

Selena tapped her ear, extending the scouter. Her position and the position of Laserbeak came up as blips on the 2D map. "Not far, actually. Just keep going straight." She went back inside, watching the scouter attentively.

Breakdown inched forward at a moderate pace, not wishing to draw attention to them unless the humans get too nosy. The rock fissure was moving in, inching him towards the water. Once onto the spansion of beach, Breakdown put metal to the peddle and jammed along the waterline. Just so happens every human and their creators were inhabiting the water. Parents rushed to their children and yanked them out of the way. Human males dove or tackled one another into the water. The women screamed and ran with whatever and whoever could be carried in their arms. A good thing Selena can't speak their language because she is sure the profanity they are screaming would cause her to act rashly. She doesn't care much for humans who don't know how to move out of the way. Besides, what's a handful less on this miserable planet. They'll kill it worse than that plague that hit a couple of times. Or was it once? She doesn't remember. Or care.

Selena was thrown face first into Breakdown's steering wheel. His abrupt stops are going to give her brain damage one of these days. "OW! What the Hell, Breakdown?!" She snarled.

"Uh...well…" He doesn't know how to put this into words he was so dumbstruck.

Selena arched a brow. He doesn't usually go silent. She peered ahead to see what has him so stunned. Her mouth fell so fast her jaw almost broke off. She was seeing it, but even as she contacted the ship she could hardly believe it. "Hey, Megatron. We...uh...we found him. He's...sunbathing?"

"He's what?!" Megatron fumed with no patience for these human phrases.

Selena had to get outside for fear that Breakdown's windows were causing her to hallucinate. She did hit her head pretty hard. But, sure enough, there was a collapsed Soundwave...chilling on the sand...in the sun...with tons of humans surrounding him. "He's lying in the sand...with a bunch of humans on him. Great." She dreaded.

The humans were either snapping pictures of him, and with him, or climbing all over him. Some even went to get their tools and wanted to crack him open. As hilarious as this might be - Selena took her own photo to preserve this fond memory - they need to wrap this up and get Soundwave back to the ship. "I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry."

"Do both later." Selena advised him, too baffled by his lying there to thoroughly enjoy this. "Knockout, scour the human information superhighway for photos and comments about Soundwave. Social media moguls are the last thing we need." Not only will the Autobots start mapping out their movements from this idiocy, but every government agency, secret society, or even other aliens that might be lurking on the planet will come to bug them. Then earth will become a war torn battle zone. "I'll deal with the humans."

"Roger that."

"How are you gonna do that?" Breakdown was eager to see this.

Selena was so glad he asked. She strutted over to the bustling crowd, Breakdown eying her with eager anticipation. The people were jumping on Soundwave, smacking him while vulgarly ordering him to get up and walk around. That bothered Selena. They probably saw him move. News outlets from five different stations were gathered, all screaming over one another to cover this story and give it the most flamboyant title in order to grip the viewers at home. Humans. Turning every little thing into a circus. Soundwave isn't her favorite, but she'd hate him to be fodder for their simple minded amusement. Her hardening, glistening galre trained to every camera, phone, and recording device she spotted. With a simple tense of her brow the devices blew up in their hands. Their pained screams were nothing more than a plethora of aphrodisiac for Selena to relax in. A good amount of social media shrapnel got caught up in their delicate flesh. Some left very painful through and through wounds. The news crews - the poor fools carrying those massive cameras - lost massive portions of their faces, the flesh peeling clean from the bone. Caving holes in their shoulders dropped them from blood curdling shock. Their arms and hands were in no better shape. The humans using those inane cameras or phones only lost their fingers, maybe a portion of their hands. Their blood staining this pristine sand was almost a shame. A greater shame is how easily in pain humans become. It would amuse Selena terribly if they ever took the full brunt of a robot's punch. Or got shot by pure energy. The humans threw themselves to the sand, rolling in pure agony. The delirium of their wounds had them screaming for their missing limbs. Those who weren't injured were scrambling to know what to do, how this happened, and a mixture were calling for the authorities.

"Is it wrong that I approve?" Breakdown snickered. A majority of these humans passed out in place.

Selena gives a sociopathic chirp of a laugh, her crimson orbs rippling with delight. "Not at all." She hummed. This is the perfect therapy she needs for the annoyances increasing on the ship. And lets not forget Steeljaw and Lockdown. They left her feeling sour as well. These humans picked the wrong day to go to the beach. As over the top as it might be, it's bad to leave witnesses. Oh she's sure Fowler will learn of this strange occurrence, then the bots and kids, at a later time. A real shame she doesn't possess the morality to feel guilty about needlessly killing people. Despite claiming she doesn't kill for the thrill of it. Oh well. Anyone can have a setback. Selena flipped her palm upward, parts of the broken devices sharpened. Their fined points aimed for their skulls, and those bleeding hearts. She gave her two fingers a small curl. Like bullets from snipers the pieces launched. Screams were instantly silenced, and all movement had ceased. Bodies toppled and went limp, numerous holes in their heads and chest, eyes forever frozen open at never knowing what robbed them of their lives so soon.

"Is it wrong that I really needed that?" Selena licked her fingers.

"Not-at-all." Breakdown happily bantered. With the humans cleared, Breakdown was able to go into his robot form and rush to Soundwave's side. He knelt down, running a scanner over him for vitals. They were pumping strong. "He's online, but not moving." He reported with mild concern.

Selena stood on his chest, unsure if she should perform CPR or just shout in his ear. Does he have ears? "Soundwave? SOUNDWAVE!" She stomped on his chest, slapped him in the face, and poked him with a stick. Static lines ripped across his screenface. A loading bar shot to 100%, and what was the semblance of a growl sounded when his head turned. "Hey, buddy. Welcome back to the land of the living." She greeted cynically. Breakdown waved awkwardly. Soundwave didn't really respond to them. His just moved his head side to side, baffled beyond logic why there are blue skies, an ocean...and that strange silicate based substance at his back. And he really wants to know what all these marking on his body were! He finally stared at Selena and Breakdown, demanding an explanation. "You're in Uruguay, remember? You came here last night." She summed up softly. Soundwave was responsive. Breakdown and Selena shared disconcerted glances. "Let's get you back home." She touched two fingers to her scouter. "Beam us up, Screamie."

On command, a groundbridge back to the ship was opened. Breakdown hoisted Soundwave on his feet. His legs clamored like wet noodles, toppling him forward. "EASY!" Breakdown saved him with his broad back, while Selena grabbed hold of Soundwave's back plating. Selena and Breakdown strained to get him to stand. But try as they might, Soundwave wasn't able to stand on his own. "Primus! You're in worse shape than the scanner says."

"We have to get him to Knockout." Selena stated urgently. Breakdown nodded firmly. He propped Soundwave fully onto him, carrying him inside the vortex. Selena trailed in after him, when she heard a gasp behind her. Turning she spotted a little girl on some rocks, just gawking in awe of the vortex. "Where did she-" Her question was answered when more kids came from...within the rocks? A cave system perhaps. It wasn't until the kids screamed at the corpses that Selena took her leave.

xxx

Soundwave was rushed the infirmary upon return, practically dragged there against his will. It was apparent due to him digging his heels, or when he'd try to roll of Breakdown. As the medical official of the ship, Knockout threw his authority unto Soundwave and ordered him to the medbay without further obstinance. It wasn't until Megatron stepped in that Soundwave gave in and listened.

Knockout attached Soundwave to the monitors, running the seven versions of diagnostics and vital checks he has. Starscream and Airachnid worked to detach Laserbeak from him, setting the drone aside while his master was checked on. Breakdown assisted with the X-Ray wand, gliding it meticulously from the point of his head to the tips of his toes. He was tracing every inch of the Con to allow the instruments to delve inside the core of his systems. Nothing was showing up.

"So far...all is normal." Knockout reported troubled, truly disconcerted that he wasn't fiding anything. Starscream, Airachnid, and Selena loomed in the infirmary with bated breaths, ogling the strapped down Con...disturbed. He doesn't do anything on impulse, or without word to Megatron. Going to Uruguay, lying in the sand exposed...this isn't like him. "The scans aren't picking up anything concretely wrong with him." Knockout informed with an umpteenth check of the scans.

"Soundwave," Megatron trudged closer, leering distastefully. it amazed all that he could stare at Soundwave disappointed. "Why did you go to the location known as Uruguay?" A brief inquiry that demanded an equally brief response. Soundwave had Megatron reflected on his visor, not moving an inch or flinching. When he turned away he shook his head. She displayed a clock on his screen that counted down from 24, a series of question marks loaded above it.

"He doesn't remember a thing." Airachnid easily interpreted. Wasn't hard to decipher. "Not even leaving last night." She scoffed entirely humored by his lapse. "So your jaunt last night - what was it? A need for fun in the sun?"

Soundwave fired a bolt of lightning on his screen, emitting a shrill eruption of thunder that scared Airachnid coloring clean off. Selena blinked impassively, tilting her head lazily to the frightened spider. "He doesn't like your tone." She hummed sardonically.

"Doesn't like my-what?!" She fumed, red in the faceplate.

Soundwave continued his tale...in his own unique way...revising his story to the point where he returned to his quarters for a charge and that was it. He put everyone's faces on his display with swirling eyes and crazed smiles. "Wave doesn't remember leaving last night." Selena translated. "He actually thinks we're the crazy ones." Soundwave wanted to be cute and had her, Starscream, and the others lifting him and tossing him into the bridge. "That we put him there?" She screeched. She is offended by his accusation.

"You actually understand him?" Knockout questioned. Starscream was perplexed by this too.

"I spend more time with Soundwave than you guys realize." She teased him. Knockout and Starscream's faces scrunched. Just how much time?! They plan to find this out. Selena ignored the stares and returned her focus to Soundwave. "Soundwave, I saw you leave last night. You opened up the bridge and left." He trained his visor hard to her, the certainty never wavering in the reflection. "Breakdown and I found you lying in the sand with humans all over you. I had to jump on you to get you to wake up." Breakdown steered his scans to raise his right hand and nodded. Knockout, Airachnid, and Starscream tilted their heads at the minor damage on Soundwave's chest. They were wondering what those dents were. Knockout broke from his scans to buff. Soundwave returned his attention to the ceiling, drawing an utter blank. "You really have no clue, do you?" Selena said...with moderate concern in her tone. Soundwave shook his head.

Perplexed, and mildly perturbed, glances were shared. Knockout let the test run for its remaining few seconds...and then read the results. They left him disgruntled. The diagnostics came up clean, finding zero irregularities and zero explanation for why Soundwave just up and went to the beach. "Hate to be the bearer of bad news, Lord Megatron," He adjusted the table upright. Soundwave slipped off, casually stepping forward, "All is green on Soundwave's charts." Literally not a single imperfection to be seen. It was almost...annoyingly enviable. Megatron approached the monitor, sneering begrudgingly at the charts. "I...I can't tell you why he went rogue." He wasn't entirely sure what to call it, but it wasn't authorized.

Megatron grumbled under his breath, turning with his massive arms folded at his back to Soundwave. "This is highly irregular of you, Soundwave." he approached, towering over him...irritated. Knockout, Breakdown, and Airachnid took cautiously steps away, hands raised in fret of what is impending. "Departing without notice. Furthermore, possessing no recollection of the dpeature? It is very displeasing that I now possess doubts about you." His stare hardened. Selena wrapped to Starscream's shoulder while he moved a safe distance away. Though per usual Soundwave remained silent, this time was different. Not a simple shift in body language, a move of his head...nor a picture on his screen. He just stood there...in shame. "Nothing to say for yourself? Then you would do well not to allow this to happen again."

To that Soundwave nodded, then promptly excused himself. More of an escape so he may bury himself in the sand. He summoned Laserbeak back to his chest, disappearing down the corridor for his chambers. The minute he did...it was felt by everyone in the room. Blindness. Why? Because Soundwave losing track of his whereabouts, or the whereabouts of others is listed under impossible. This lapse in his memory core...it was as if they missed vital intel in 24 hours.

"I'll keep combing through his diagnostics." Knockout assured Megatron. "Doing a deeper dive, I may find what I missed." If he missed anything.

"Make it swift!" Megatron barked, a tremble in his tone that frightened them all. "I cannot have this transpiring again." He stormed out of the room with his fists balled, the electrified air driving circuits to run haywire in anxiety.

From Starscream to Airachnid, with perturbed stares locked to Soundwave, it become suffocatingly apparent. the perfectionist Soundwave...might not be as perfect as advertised.

xxx

The day quickly passed into the night...by their current geographical standpoint above Brazil. The incident with Soundwave was kept very hush-hush amongst the officers, however one or two underlings always manage to get their hands on the juicy tidbits kept from their privy. None dared breathe a word to start unneeded gossip amongst the ranks. Mostly for fear that Soundwave would hear - and he would - and make someone disappear into some abyssal terrain. It wouldn't be the first time. Though it was hard not to discuss it. Granted, it was one incident, not a common occurrence in any aspect. But it...really did leave a sour, acrid taste in the air. Soundwave venturing off without word and being jumped on by humans. It's unfounded, unheard of, and implausible to fathom.

Selena was coasting down a corridor with Starscream, having to be guided by his finger at the scruff of her shirt whilst she ruminated. He lost humor in her crashes six crashes ago. For someone so adept in combat, he'd thin she'd be less...danger prone. What has he so preoccupied, however, really tickles at his desire to let her drift right off the ship into one of the human aircrafts. Their whole training sessions together and she hardly gave him an iota of her attention. It was always on-

"Poor, Wave." She moaned, striking Starscream's most sour of chords. "I don't think I've ever seen Megs reem him. Must have been hard."

Starscream scoffed to himself, not feeling remorseful of his position at all. "I, personally, took a sick enjoyment out of it." He crooned with a dark purr. Selena flipped around and scowled at him, arms and legs crossed tersely. "Don't give me that look." He poked her furrowed brow. "Soundwave has been granted a great boon being Megatron's closest confidant. Never capable of doing wrong in his eyes." Meanwhile he is the second in command and is the constant failure in which Megatron exacts his wrath upon. Not this time. Oh yes, it does make him tingle with glee. The perfect Soundwave has a blemish that he will not recover from. "How the mighty have fallen." He chuckled.

"Jealousy is not a cute attribute to possess, Starscream." She monotonically scolded him.

"Says the girl threatened by the new fem fatale on the ship." He swiftly redirected the arrow in her pride.

"I'm not threatened by her! Why would I be?" She shouted red faced.

"Well…" Starscream trailed off to a halt. He propped an elbow, cupping his cheek with a...dreamy...expression. He stared off to the side, sighing contently, "She does possess a certain appeal." He hummed. Selena...was...floored. Her body snak with the sickly sensation making her chest pound. It was hard to see the boiling rage behind her aghast expression. But Starscream caught enough to smirk at her in triumph. He slipped a finger under her chin, bringing her out of her daze and closer to him. "And there your eyes turn green." Selena blinked in abject shock, her mouth falling open feeling like a fool. HE JUST FRICKIN' PLAYED HER! She turned so pink her natural tan tone was almost erased. She quaked in midair, wishing she could be swallowed by a spontaneous wormhole. "Oh, and they are perfect with your pink cheeks." Just to keep toying with her...he pecked a small kiss to her cheek, then walked by her.

Selena hunched her shoulders, growling with rage powered steam whistling from her ears. "I...hate...you!" She snarled venomously, her eyes glowing with murder.

"I know you mean adore." He wiggled his fingers, accepting her confession.

She caused a gust rockleting after him. Starscream was impassive to her grip on his shoulder. She drew a fist back, "YOU...Soundwave?" She lowered her fist.

This got Strascream to whirl around in a rage. "How insulting!"

"Not you, you moron! Look!" She turned his head back ahead. Starscream felt stupid when he spotted the named Con meandering down the adjacent hallway. Selena smashed his head down, straining his neck. "He's heading for the ground bridge again!" Starscream plucked her off his head. He'll be displeased of her rough treatment after he's done investigating. He placed her to his shoulder, strolling casually after the faceless one. He kept to the corner, allowing a good distance to grow before proceeding after him. In truth, there was no real reason to be following him. As Second in Command, Starscream can demand to know why Soundwave was heading for the ground bridge once more. Not that he would tell him...or anyone else. Nevertheless, this will be the opportune moment to learn what Soundwave is up to.

Soundwave rounded his final corner to the controls and began inputting coordinates. Starscream and Selena watched from the corner still, trying to glean from his visor where on the planet he was looking to go this time. Hopefully one that has necessities for their cause. it was hard to see anything from there. And getting closer defeats the purpose of spying.

"This is most perplexing indeed." Starscream stroked his chin. "He possesses his own space bridge application. Why would he need the ground bridge station?" Selena had forgotten all about that. Soundwave can come and go as he pleases. Why is he using the bridge?

"Then it is more suspicious than perplexing."

Starscream and Selena veered around. Their stomachs churned spotting Airachnid inches behind them. "Arachnid!" Selena hissed like a feral cat. She got on her haunches like one as well.

Starscream muffled her whole upper body with a cover of his hand, pushing her into his shoulder. "What are you doing here?" He inquired forcefully, simultaneously taking pleasure in his small vengeance against Selena.

"Unlike the rest of you, I don't shut down at normal hours." Seeing as how she is a hunter, and the easiest time to stalk their prey is during their quiet hours. Makes total sense she'd be snooping around. "I was perusing the ship when I saw the Slender One there on the move."

"Where did he come from?" Starscream pressed. Selena poked through his fingers.

"His quarters. He walked out as I passed by just minutes ago." Starscream shared a glance with Selena. He hasn't been wandering long...and he's been in his room this whole time? That's not like him at all. "Where is he off to?" Airachnid asked tediously, rubbernecking around the pair.

"Let's find out." Selena proposed. No more of this sneaking around. Starscream wasn't fast enough to stop her. Airachnid was about to follow.

"Wait." Starscream stretched an arm before her. He narrowed his sights intensely. "Let us see what happens." Starscream cannot understand why, but he senses trouble ahead. Soundwave...wasn't acting right.

xxx

Soundwave's fingers clumsily pressed on the keys, tripping over every second letter or hitting the wrong ones. Command prompts for the bridge were blaring red on the incorrect codes being input, sealing him out at every avenue. When he'd finally get a prompt to heed his command he was missing his mark on a constant basis. The GPS roving a 3D map of the planet wasn't landing where he wants, and...it was frustrating him? He slammed fists to the panel, heatedly typing at the controls for the coordinates to set in place. He got the bridge to work so easily last time. Why is it so difficult now?!

"Soundwave!" A total halt was afflicted to Soundwave. He stiffly turned his head, a childishly waving Selena drifted over to him. "What's up, Buddy? Where you off to this time? Ooh, somewhere exotic?!" She scrunched her body, wiggling excitedly with rosy cheeks. Airachnid was on the verge of nausea, while Starscream despises seeing her put on a flirty front. Even if it is a false flirtation. "C'mon, you can tell me." Selena smoothed her elbow to his shoulder. He didn't flinch...but...Selena can't help sensing he was...anxious? SHe kept her facade in play, not diverting her glance feeling a vibration. He's...shaking. Soundwave doesn't shake. "Seriously, no judgement if you're finally cutting yourself from Megatron. I totally get it." She leaned in, coaxing him to ease away. Soundwave shifted, his right fist ballign. "Just...tell me where you're going and I won't breathe a word." She raised her right hand, and placed the left on her chest. Scouts honor. A gleam passed over his visor. Selena knit her brow. "Waves, seriously, what's-" Soundwave shook her off viciously! Then in one swift motion he crushed a hand around her. "AH! SOUND-" He whirled around and chucked her like a fast ball, sending her skipping down the corridor. Selena jerked herself free of the tumble, digging in her fingers and heels on her stop. The flooring bunched up beneath her. She growled venomously with glowing red eyes, baring her teeth like a feral animal that she is. "That...wasn't...smart!"

"Selena!" Starscream cried, running for her. Airachnid shrugged indifferently, meandering with no urgency into the fray. "Soundwave! As Second in Command, I order your to cease at once!" He snarled rabidly with a swing of his arm. Airachnid snickered under her breath, I almost shuddered. Soundwave didn't flinch at his meager order. That silver streamed twig couldn't command protoforms to change their fluids! What makes him think he can order around the Decepticon's most elite warrior and spy. "Soundwave! Cease at once!" Starscream stood his ground, readying his rockets. Arachnid raised a brow, taking a couple of steps back. This was going to get interesting. Soundwave strecthed out a hand.

Patches of metal were ripped viciously from the walls. Wrapping to Soundwave extended hand and neck, the silent Con was shot to the next wall. The wall meshed around him, pinning him in place. "Always gotta watch out for the quiet ones, Scream. Haven't you heard?" Selena skated over to him, an extended hand maintaining Soundwave's confinement. Soundwave wriggled himself madly, getting his chest free. Laserbeak broke free of his port, coming around in a sharp turn and firing on Selena. "WHOA!" She flew off down the hallway, zigzagging between the shots.

"Soundwave! Have you lost your mind?! STOP!" Starscream's rocket screeched from his wrist, barreling for Laserbeak. Selena looked back and hardened her stare. She flipped around, grounding herself in midair. Laserbeak pulled up last second, the rocket heading right for her. Selena flourished her arms, redirecting around her and right back for the drone. Laserbeak veered off to one side, the rocket barely grazing the tip of his wing before blowing a hole in the ceiling. Laserbeak reattached himself, and Soundwave tore himself off the wall. "What's gotten into you?!" As per his character, Soundwave remained annoyingly silent, rushing Starscream. The jet skipped a couple steps back and unleashed a kick. Soundwave caught the foot and Starscream retaliated with a punch. Soundwave caught it too and lifted Starscream over his head. He threw the jet and he crashed into Arachnid, flooring the pair.

"Damn…" Selena remarked breathlessly. "He's stronger than he looks." She won't say that to Starscream. Not before he's had a chance to recover his lost pride. A familiar whirring sent chills down her skin. She rushed around the corner. "He's activating the bridge!" She cried. Soundwave was already wiping his location from the servers and walking inside. Selena was quicker than the servers. She caught a trace of the location right as it closed behind him.

"GET OFF ME!" Arachnid launched Starscream off her, giving him a face plant of floor. Starscream snorted disgusted at the filth. He needs to speak with sanitation. Maybe they can deal with the bug problem they're having.

"Selena, did you get a location?!" Starscream frothed at the mouth.

She erected a finger, waiting for the GPS to home in on the tidbits of coordinates she was able to scrounge up. She hopes it was enough. Apparently so, since her scouter zeroed in on his position. "Madagascar?" No happy memories there.

"Why would he be heading there?" Arachnid asked with mild intrigue.

"I do not know. We must investigate." Starscream decreed. Arachnid, against her better judgement, nodded and meandered with him to the bridge.

"You two...go ahead." Selena eased herself away, doing finger guns on her retreat. "Imma stay here." She sucked nervously on her lips.

"What? Why?" Arachnid scoffed.

"Bad experience on Madagascar. Don't want to relive it." Starscream bobbed his head, recalling her abduction. it must still bug her a lot. She was blind, her powers were faltering, and the gaggle of humans responsible for her abduction have assaulted her numerous times. It's a wonder she isn't more shaken. "Besides…" She directed their attention back to the giant hole Starscream left, "This is pretty gnarly." She can fix and buff it before Megatron - or worse, Knockout - sees it.

"Alright. We will keep you apprised." Starscream promised her, activating the bridge. Arachnid leapt through first with unusual enthusiasm. Guss she's looking forward to pulverizing him. Starscream was about to head in...when he caught a disturbed expression on Selena. She was stroking just under her eyes, nibbling on the inside of her lip...and that flicker of her eyes was proof. Madagascar still holds a dark memory for her. "You're stronger than you ever were that day, and every other day you've encountered them. You know that, right?" He quizzed her tenderly, earning a dazed relief from her. "Those men - their leader - can never hurt you as they have again because you bounce back." He put a fist to his chest. "They've made your armor. Time to learn to break them with it." She doesn't know how, but that really made her feel better. Got her to smile with a blush. Feeling his work was done, Starscream entered the bridge.

When it closed, Selena released a sigh that came with a heavy dose of self derision. "He keeps talking like that," She touched a hand to her throbbing heart, "I just might lose."

xxx

Little did she know, Megatron was listening from around the corner, steadily growing more troubled by the links strengthening between his Second in Command...and the pet.

To be continued