In my story Moonracer is not a youngling - she is a mature femme.
And yes I know that she is not the most interesting character. Yet, I did not want to use Elita or Chromia or Arcee. Moonracer is a more neutral...
Soundwave's secret (Transformers)
Chapter 29.
It needed to be done and the sooner the better, so Soundwave and others were by the door of their quarters ready to leave for energon. The first Autobots would be off their shifts soon and the neutrals preferred to meet as few bots as possible.
But when the door of their chambers opened they were greated by surprised Moonracer having her servo prepared to knock the door.
"Oh, Soundwave-" femme gave a knowing look and smiled," I new you would be ready by now. So, let us go?"
Lazerbeak, sitting on the higher femme's shoulder wore a confused expression, same to the one Soundwave hided behind her visor. He gave her a questioning look and Moonracer, noticing that the group had not followed, realized their surprise.
"What? Did you expect to go there alone. There is no way I am letting you face others for the first time without having a back up." She stated as if her words were obvious "We are all bots - more or less tempered - it will take time for some guys to get used to your presence. Unfortunately." She added - there was not any need to hide the obvious fact. But then Soundwave noticed how warm was Moonracer's look. Was it understanding? May be. But she obviously was not trying to look friendly - she just was.
"Prime's order?" Lazerbeak asked with a lack of trust.
"No but he is informed. I suggested - he agreed. Besides, I need to get my energon too."
Moonracer gave a short look at the others behind Soundwave's back, then bereaved out and continued more calmly, making sure that her words and intonation would sound as honest as her intentions were,"Soundwave, I just want to help. There is no hidden meaning or intention behind my actions."
Of course, it would have been difficult to think of one. What could she gain - examination of their attitudes? Yet, Moonracer decided to mention it too."My only wish is to make it easier both for you, your... family and my people." Soundwave caught Moonracer's look - even with the visor on, the Autobot femme managed to look directly in her optics,"I don't ask for your trust, yet I do offer mine."
That was a strong claim...
Several ckliks passed and Soundwave nodded receiving another warm smile from the femme 'Bot. They started their walk and Moonracer grinned again at the younger twins catching up with the them.
Corridors had been still empty, at least in the parts the group used to reach their destination. When the doors opened there were just three bots sitting by one table. Moonracer went directly to the energon serving mashines and the mechs gave the newcomers just short looks, stooping their talk as they watched them for several clicks. However, the group of three kept neutral and went back to their conversation, for what Soundwave was thankful.
She took her energon cube and sat at one of the tables on the other end of the room, surrounded by her complain, back facing the Autobots. As others started eating, Ravage gave her short glance. Soundwave started at the cube through her visor.
Moonracer took another slip and stopped seeing the femme unmoving. She looked behind her - mechs were still taken by their talk. Hoist, Mirage and Jolt - Moonracer knew there would be no trouble with them. That was a luck.
"Soundwave, you know you don't have to take off your mask completely and as for these mechs - they are not the one who would cause any trouble, trust me."
The clamps gave a click and the visor was partly opened giving Soundwave a chance to have a meal.
"In the future, I think there won't be any problem if you drink energon in your room. If you wish so..."
There was another moment of silence.
Moonracer was not a very interesting character - there was nothing too special about her. She was a typical example of a kind and nice Autobot femme medic. It was easy to predict when she'll laugh or narrow her optics. Some could have claimed her naive but they would be wrong. It was true that she had learned how to act with sometimes stubborn patience as well as how to stay her ground in a talk with mechs. Of course, the result would mostly come from her position and the position of her sparkmate (or rather say his famous wrench), yet Moonracer's character would mostly be something to cause respect. She looked too gentle for others to start arguing with her. Friendly, kind.
Simple.
But that simplicity and kindness, which at the first sigh could be mistaken for a habit, was something wise bots would value.
Soundwave let her symbiots watch for surrounding as her processor was taken by thoughts.
'The kindness mistaken for a habit...'
That was what Soundwave had thought... She eyed Moonracer, sight hidden behind the mask. Soundwave had believed that Autobot femme was acting, following the roles of kindness in order to hide whatever could be hidden. And Moonracer did act the moment she came to their quarters. But she acted in order to hide her own uncertainty. Her intentions were good. This warmth of friendliness around was now noticeable to Soundwave. Ravage gave her a short look. He agreed too.
For a moment femme wondered what Moonracer's face looked like when she left the washing ranks after the accident they had had... It was the first time Soundwave had said a real word to someone except her companions. And... it felt nice. She could have regretted but she haven't .
This warm caring look Moonracer gave her that moment. That was when Soundwave realized that hiding from Moonracer she did not wish. If there was something she could start changing then probably it was her relationship with the only Autobot femme on the base...
Soundwave felt as the last drops of energon left the cube and that was the moment doors shut open. Loud steps, voices and laugher entered the area. Soundwave did not need to see a small yet loud group of Autobots entering and walking towards them and the click the sounds disappeared was the sign that Soundwave's group was noticed.
HotRod and Blur kept walking with the mistrust eyeing the siting group. Skids and Mudflap stood dead with silent gasps obviously on their faceplates, as Cliffjumper... If it wasn't for Blur's reminding arm on his shoulderplate, red-armored mech would have ignored Moonracer's presence and her warning look. The impaling gazes did not fade, yet were taken away. Mechs took their energon rather quickly and sit close to the other three Autobots.
Soundwave's mask was on, others were finishing their energon. Having taken by the sound behind her back, Soundwave noticed the two other bots when they had already reached the table.
"Dreadwing, Skyqueak."
"Pleasant cycle, Moonracer. Soundwave."
Soundwave just made a slight turn with her helm.
"We hope that these bots have caused no trouble."
"They have just arrived, Dreadwing. Thank you for your concern." Moonracer politely answered the two Autobots standing by their table. Skyqueak gave a short glance to the farest group.
Soundwave's sight caught the Autobot symbols shining on the brothers' armor as if it was not alien to the whole image of these bots. And their optics with the shade of blue burning out the picture of their false personalities Soundwave had in her processor.
"Some bots just don't know how to behave themselves."
"Oh, don't be so harsh with them, Skyqueak. They do have their own reasons."
"Indeed, Cliffjumper can surely find an explanation for all his outbursts. If only they were reasonable..."
Rumble and Frenzy had unnoticeably crooked - the two mechs stood just behind their backs. Buzzsaw received a questioning look from Ratbad and Ravage kept neutral, Lazerbeak gazing at the once so called Decepticon warriors.
The cubes were empty, this was time to finally leave the place before it became too crowded.
"He surely can." Moonracer added and feeling that Soundwave and the others were ready stood up,"Excuse us, mechs. Soundwave?"
The visored femme nodded and stood up as well, flyers transforming in the details of her armor, Lazerbeak jumping in her shoulder plate.
"I believe we should leave- I beg your pardon. I am listening..." Moonracer answered her and blue optics flinched wide from surprise. She gave a deep sign.
"Soundwave, forgive me. I am needed in the medbay. Wreckers just can't stay out of trouble and I believe that right now Ratchet would rather through his wrenched at them first..."
"In this case, I suggest myself to accompany you till your quarters, Soundwave."
That was sudden. Soundwave even revealed her surprise in a questioning movement of her frame.
'Now... What do you want?' Soundwave could not help but let the obvious the question arise in her processor, when she looked at Dreadwing. Moonracer waited for her answer too with a look of apology so recognizable on her white faceplate.
"~Not required.~"
"Please, I insist. Sadly but I do not hold trust the temper or reasonableness of some our comrades."
Soundwave kept silent and turned her visor in Moonracer's direction. The lightly-colored femme nodded,"Unfortunalty, I have to agree with Dreadwing, Soundwave... Would you mind?"
Would she? Soundwave was not sure, yet they had a point, so she gestured Moonracer with her helm.
The femme breaved out and started walking away,"Thank you. See you later- I am coming, yes. I know..." Moonracer seemed to have to hurry...
Soundwave's optics followed her leave and then her sight moved to Dreadwing. Mech gestured to the exit and so they headed to the out,"I will meet you on the flying deck, brother."
"See you there."
At the beginning their walk through the corridors was rather silent.
Soundwave's optics several times moved to look at the new Autobot.
Optics...
Long ago there were times when their colour mean colour only. Now even 'the mirror of a spark' a bot was born with would be changed to suit the symbols of fraction. With the acceptable varieties of certain colours and shades optics became a second symbol any mech or femme of a fraction was expected to have.
Soundwave's optics were not suitable for a 'Con. Yet, the Decepticon Chief Communication Officer never took her mask off - everyone knew it. And, of course, never was the colour replaced. However, once this fact was discovered, the optics were the least surprise compared to the fact of Soundwave's gender.
Something that was not noticed could not be questioned. And Soundwave was glad to sometimes see her true self, so usually hidden. Her unusually colored optics with the transparent detailing adding to their light was a unique sight which could be explained by her origin...
"Ironically, we are walking in the Autobot base side by side..."the mech started.
"I must admit that the discovery of your neutrality was a remarkable thing, to say the least. I hope that soon others will get used to that fact and you will be able to freely walk around the base without any risk."
"~...temper and reasonableness...~...is hardly a problem.~" Soundwave played, first recording being Dreadwing's voice. Then she added Prime's wards,"~Autobots are expected to cause no trouble to you and your group. If not, measures will be taken. But I expect the same from you too, Soundwave.~"
"Prime is a mech of word. However some others are not and measures might not be enough... The leaders are probably the main difference between Iacon and Kaon. Megatron is feared - Optimus Prime is respected."
"Propaganda of Autobot beliefs?" Lazerbeak pointed out not amused. Dreadwing's attention moved from the bird to the visor, him asuming that the thought must have belonged to Soundwave.
"No. Just a fact. Soon you will see."
Blue lines danced on the visor"~Bots and 'Cons...~ ...not much different."
"It depend on the way you compare..."
That was partly true.
After that they kept walking in silence.
To say the truth, Soundwave was curious, yet the femme did not know what she wished to learn more. Dreadwing and his brother could probably understating the differences and similarities the new neutrals were facing. May be she did not want to learn more but only to have a talk with someone from their Decepticon past... The mech was a Decepticon traitor, but she could care the less. Autobots and Decepticons - for a long time there was no difference for her...
The mech's deep voice brought her back from the thoughts and Soundwave noticed her surroundings again. They were in several steps from the room.
"My brother and I did followed the orders by bringing you here, Soundwave. But still your current position is the result of our actions and your safety is our responsibility. If anything unpleasant is about to happen, I expect you to inform one of us."
Soundwave stopped. Her visor directed at the mech, femme impaled him with a questioning look he could not notice.
Acting honorable- same a before? A noble spy, what a combination... But of course, even without a proof of sincerity the words themselves caused Soundwave an uncomfortable feeling. She was not used to such gestures. Moonracer did not count - she was a different complicated story. WheelJack? No, he was not the same too. This mech's words felt stronger and not so official as with Prime. But Lazer knew his job and broke a way out of confusion.
"You trust us too quickly."
Yes... And that was not what Dreadwing would do.
"I do not. Yet. There is a code of honor that I prefer to follow."
The condor narrowed his optics,"You are a spy."
"I am an Autobot."
"~Autobot does not...~... mean...~... honor." And 'honor' was a loose concept.
The blue optics narrowed, as a realization came the mech,"That is why you defected... You refused believing in prejudices."
Soundwave's spark jerked. She did not know why. May be because someone said these certain words aloud.
"It must be hard to make such a decision - to defect."
Soundwave's answer was no. The moment the decision was made, she felt no regret.
"~Negative.~"
"And not knowing who your enemy is?"
Dreadwing was clever and he knew what to ask. Yet, Soundwave gained her confidence, now used to the raised topic and the questions digging out her personality.
"~I have no...~...enemies."
She would have whispered these words. They dictated one of the ideas Soundwave so much wished to follow... It was difficult sometimes. If you had an anemy, then you had a target and an excuse for hate. But this was only an illusion. Soundwave had once realized that.
There were bots who saw her as a threat. An opponent, a target. There were dangerous and untrustworthy ones.
But an enemy Soundwave did not have.
'Lazerbeak...' She called through the the bond and showed him a question.
"Was not it hard to betray them?"
"Excuse me."
Oh, they called it 'spying'... true...
"~Spying...~"
"I was doing what is better for my fraction."
The younglings stood behind, Ravage too. But now they were close to their room and Frenzy knew what to say at the end.
"But you couldn't but notice that not all cons are supporting their leader."
Dreadwing carefully watched the young mech, as the two passed by and stopped by Soundwave's side. The warrior gave the most obvious answer but he did believe his words,"That is why Autobots should win."
Soundwave's visor was unmoving - facing Dreadwing straightly, her most likely looking in his optics.
"~There is no winner in a war...~"
Whose recorded voice was that Dreadwing did not know but whoever said them was a wise bot.
Ravage passed behind and entered the room. Soundwave's servos, close to the mechlings, almost reached to caressed them. She gave Dreadwing the last nod and the group disappeared behind the door.
REVIEWS! I missed them! And... they will give some inspiration.