Oh boy folks! This chapter is a long one. I did a little bit of a different approach here. Instead of following our characters through a day, we are getting a few little stories over a few days. Soundwave is getting into the routine of things, so not every moment of every day is action packed. Of course, most chapters won't be like this... but I was interested in trying this little snippet approach. Let me know what ya'll think!
These characters are not mine, I am just playing around with them. Enjoy!
Blaster had always enjoyed his evening shifts. They were peaceful, especially the shifts that ran late into the night. They also gave him an excuse to sleep in the next morning. Granted, he still usually woke up at his typical time… but this way he got an excuse to lay in bed and relax for a while. The only downside that Blaster experienced with night shifts was that they could be a little boring. The Ark would be mostly quiet, with only a few guard mechs up for company. Sometimes if Bluestreak or Jazz were up on guard duty, Blaster could chat with them over the comms to pass the hours. However, if some less chatty mechs were taking the night guard shifts, Blaster risked being bored out of his processor. Sure, he could listen to his music. That definitely helped… but it also sometimes made him drowsy enough to fall asleep on his station. After a few years on Earth, he began scanning the local human television networks for something to fill his time. He would never admit it to anyone… but he did actually enjoy some of the human's cheesy soap operas (especially the corny romantic ones). Ironhide once caught Blaster watching a soap opera… as it turned out, the weapons specialist enjoyed them too (but if Blaster told anyone, he would be skinned alive). On the very rare occasion, Ironhide might join him on his graveyard comm shifts so they could watch an episode together… outside of prying optics. Of course, the best soap operas only broadcasted one new episode a week… meaning that many nights Blaster was left without even that to pass the time.
Luckily, something else came along that could help Blaster pass the time on those long, empty night shifts.
Soundwave spun absentmindedly in his chair. His visor was fixed intensely on the radio transmitter he was trying to fix. Deep in his concentration, Soundwave didn't notice when his glossa poked out of his mouth just a tiny bit.
Blaster gazed fondly at his roommate. He was certain that Soundwave had no idea that his "concentration face" was so cute. He worked hard to stifle a longing sigh. He wished so badly to close the distance between them and cover the telepath's faceplates in kisses. Instead, the orange mech swivelled his seat a little and continued his sentence.
"Look, all I'm saying is that some human television is pretty decent! You gotta believe me, 'Wave".
Soundwave snorted, not even looking up from his most recent project. "I'm sure you enjoy the human entertainment, Blaster. That, however, does not equate to the shows you watch being 'pretty decent'". The telepath briefly glanced up with a flashing grin, just to let Blaster know he was only kidding around.
Blaster mocked an insulted gasp. Soundwave chuckled to himself and span his chair in a full circle. "It's true," Soundwave smiled.
"Well, I'll have you know," Blaster began as he reached for his energon cube, "that what I watch is high quality content… so intellectual that you wouldn't even be able to grasp it".
"Really?" Soundwave finally stilled his working servos and grinned up at Blaster.
Blaster smiled around the rim of his energon cube, "mhhmm".
"Are you referring to those Primus forsaken soap operas you watch?" Soundwave purred.
Blaster choked on his energon. Soundwave gleefully relaxed back into his seat.
"How did… How did you know about-"?
"Oh Blaster," Soundwave hummed, "I have my ways". He coyly swivelled his chair to face the opposite direction.
Blaster cracked into laughter; Soundwave joined him.
"Aren't ya glad we aren't sworn enemies anymore, 'Wave?" Blaster grinned.
Soundwave turned his seat back around, he playfully kicked at Blaster's peds. "Very glad, Blaster".
The remainder of the evening shift was spent chatting. No matter how hard he tried, Blaster couldn't squeeze any more information from Soundwave about how he knew about the soap opera secret. Before long, Sunstreaker arrived to take over Blaster's comm shift. After sharing a few pleasantries with the twin, the two comm officers left for the night.
"Thanks again for joining me during the graveyard shift," Blaster nudged Soundwave's arm as they walked down the hall.
Soundwave smiled back, "of course. I know how boring those shifts can be… I figured you could use the company. Besides, I always have fun with you".
Blaster's spark fluttered with excitement.
"Really?"
"Of course". Soundwave hesitated for a moment, he smiled shyly over at Blaster. "You're my best friend, after all".
Blaster swelled with joy. He swung an arm around Soundwave's shoulder. "You're my best friend, too".
"oh no, I better watch out for Jazz… now that I've dethroned him" Soundwave laughed.
Blaster chuckled; his optics didn't leave Soundwave's smiling faceplates. A sudden bolt hit him in the spark.
Primus… Primus he was in love.
He was so madly in love. He stared at the telepath for a moment. How had this happened so fast? How did he never notice before?
Soundwave's optics returned to Blaster's. Both mechs slowed their pace until they stood still in the hall.
"Blaster, what's wrong?" Soundwave gently shook Blaster's arm. Blaster looked completely stunned.
Blaster shook his helm; he didn't want to make Soundwave worry. "I'm okay," he murmured. His voice was suddenly soft and almost breathless, "just a little tired is all, 'Wave".
The telepath only gave his friend a worried look and pulled him gently down the hall by his arm. Soothingly, Soundwave patted Blaster's shoulder. "If that's the case, we should get you to berth. If you still feel unwell tomorrow, you should probably see Ratchet. I hope you're not coming down with something".
"I think I might be" Blaster sighed.
When Spike Witwicky had first heard about Soundwave joining the Autobots, the alarm bells went off in his head. He didn't trust that Decepticon, not one bit! Carly and Chip also agreed that this whole thing seemed kind of fishy. They all believed in giving someone the benefit of the doubt, of course… but this was Soundwave! The sneaky, mind-controlling, lapdog of Megatron! How could they trust this Decepticon when he was so obviously devoted to the causes of evil! Evil! Not to mention his sneaky cassettes. Spike held a personal contempt for Rumble and Frenzy. The smaller bots always pushed him around whenever the Autobots and Decepticons clashed around the humans. They never really hurt him too badly… but it always made him feel like a mouse being tossed back and forth between two giddy cats.
Of course, the teenagers has already received a talking to from Sparkplug, Spike's Dad. The older man had urged them to give the new mech a chance! None of the humans had been allowed on the base for the last few weeks. At first it was a safety precaution. Optimus had requested that they stay home while they were holding the Decepticon second officer in the medical bay… just in case. Bumblebee still came out to visit the teenagers many times a week. It was nice to go for drives together and do fun things around the city… but Chip and Carly admitted that they missed the base and all of the other Autobots. Eventually, the humans heard wind of Soundwave staying on the Ark. Spike was just glad that his friends shared his scepticism.
During their next contact, Spike and Chip tried to convince Optimus that Soundwave was tricking them. He had to be! He was Soundwave! Optimus refused to share any details on Soundwave's case, but he urged the youth to give the new mech a chance. Sparkplug agreed with Optimus, he always was so forgiving.
The three teens had decided to hatch a plan together. If the Autobots were going to be blinded by Soundwave's latest tricks, they would have to save them! Weren't there rumours of Soundwave being telepathic? Maybe he was hypnotising all of the Autobots! They would have to put a stop to the evil plan, whatever it was.
Somehow (probably through Sparkplug or Bumblebee) Optimus got wind of their plan to save the Autobots. The Prime then recommended (ordered) that the teenagers stay out of the base for another couple of weeks. After all, Soundwave was still settling in and recovering. The last thing Prime wanted was to throw a handful of angry, scheme hatching children in the mix. As much as it hurt Bumblebee to see his human friends looking so deflated, he had agreed with Optimus. The teens had tried to sneak aboard the Ark a few times. However, Bumblebee and Sparkplug were always hot upon their trail.
A couple more weeks passed before the humans were invited back onto the base. Spike, Carly, and Chip had braced for the worst as they entered the Ark. They were certain that they would be met with hypnotised Autobots, gun fire scorches on the walls, and maybe Soundwave sitting atop a throne of Autobot corpses.
Much to their horror, the Ark was operating business as usual. How suspicious! Maybe Soundwave's mind control abilities were so good that the Autobots were hypnotised and didn't even notice it! Was that possible?
No matter how much Optimus, Bumblebee, and Sparkplug tried to talk the teenagers out of their worries, they wouldn't let up. Finally, Optimus decided that the best way to address these fears would be for the kids to meet Soundwave, face to face.
Soundwave quietly stepped into Optimus's office. The Prime had already warned him about the teenager's feelings towards him. He couldn't blame them for not trusting him at all. He hadn't exactly made an honest or honourable name for himself with the humans. If there was ever a time to amend that, it would be now.
Spark, Chip, Carly, and Sparkplug sat atop the Prime's desk. Their backs were all turned to Soundwave as he slipped through the door. Optimus glanced briefly up at the telepath to offer a smile before immediately looking back to down to the disgruntled teenagers. He nodded sympathetically at the barrage of worries, questions, and theories about Soundwave.
"He's a mind-controller, right!" Spike cried.
"Telepath" Chip corrected softly.
"Yeah same thing," Spike dismissed. "Couldn't he just hypnotise you guys into thinking he's a good guy? What if he just walks up to the door one day and let's Buckethead into your base?!".
"Yeah, why should we trust him?" Carly added doubtfully.
Optimus paused for a moment before replying, "why don't you ask him yourself?". The prime nodded his helm up at the waiting blue mech.
The three teenagers whipped around to fix their glares on Soundwave. Spike immediately pulled Carly behind him.
Sparkplug stood up from his seat and walked over to the new mech. He extended his hand and said, "pleasure to meet you".
Soundwave hesitated for only a moment before reaching out a couple fingers to gingerly shake the man's hand. That was the custom, he believed.
"It's nice to meet you as well" Soundwave said softly.
Sparkplug chuckled as he retracted his hand, "a very gentle handshake shake for a giant space robot".
Soundwave cracked a smile, "my cassettes-"
"Ah yes, I bet you are used to smaller beings then" Sparkplug laughed. "The first time I got Optimus to shake my hand, he nearly broke all my fingers".
The Prime gave a regretful laugh from behind his desk. Soundwave glanced up with a tiny entertained smile.
"Dad!" Spike hissed from beside his friends.
Soundwave looked over to the huddle of teenagers. He couldn't help but frown. Spike was certainly putting out a tough facade, but the telepath could feel the anxiety running through the kids.
Moving slowly, the blue mech pulled up a chair and lowered himself into it. Maybe being closer to their height would help. Carly only clung tighter to Spike's arm.
Chip was the first one to directly address the new mech. Tentatively, he rolled his wheelchair forward. His two friends seemed startled by his approach.
"You have a face" Chip said softly. Unlike his peers, his suspicion of Soundwave was already beginning to simmer. He just seemed so different in person.
Soundwave smiled and held back a small laugh. "So do you" he observed.
Chip grinned up at the mech, "yeah, I guess I do".
Soundwave glanced back up at the other two teenagers. "I don't believe we have had a proper chance to meet" he started softly.
"Yeah, you were always too busy shooting at my Autobot friends" Spike bit back.
Soundwave winced.
"Spike!" Sparkplug chided.
"It's alright," Soundwave assured, "he's not wrong".
Spike blinked in surprise. He hadn't exactly expected that.
"I want to apologise for all of the times I frightened you like that," Soundwave murmured, "and all of the times I hurt your friends".
"You didn't scare me" Spike crossed his arms.
Soundwave smiled at the lie, "of course not".
"He scared me," Carly admitted softly.
Soundwave turned his visor to the girl, "I'm truly sorry for that, you didn't deserve to get caught in the crossfire".
Carly stuttered from the sincerity of the mech's words. This wasn't exactly the emotionless drone she was expecting to meet. She smiled faintly as she stepped out from behind Spike, "thanks, I appreciate that".
"Carly" Spike whined softly. He glanced at his two friends before whipping back towards Soundwave. "You hypnotised my friends! You no good 'Con!" he yelled.
Soundwave frowned, "is there anything I can do to prove to you that I mean no harm here?".
"Yeah! You can get up and leave the Ark and never come back!" Spike cried.
"Spike" Optimus interjected. The teenager glanced back at the larger mech. "Soundwave is an Autobot now. I understand that you are scared for everyone's wellbeing, however, Soundwave has been more than reasonable. There has never been one moment during his stay here that I doubted Soundwave's sincerity".
"But-"
Optimus raised a servo to quiet the boy. "I'm sorry Spike, but Soundwave lives here with us now, for as long as he likes. I don't like watching my troops being yelled at".
Spike deflated. Optimus felt a twinge of regret. The room stood in silence for a moment.
"I know that your suspicion of me comes from a good place" Soundwave finally said.
Spike turned to face the blue mech, "…what?".
"You clearly care very deeply for the people in your life," Soundwave observed, "and you would do anything to keep them from being hurt, yes?".
Spike nodded slowly, his eyes scrutinized Soundwave.
"I can see that very much," Soundwave continued, "you only want to protect your friends, and lead them in the right direction. I respect that… I wish that I had been that considerate in my youth".
Spike squinted, "are you reading my mind right now?".
Soundwave smiled, "I didn't have to".
Spike pulled in half of a breath before letting it out. His eyes grew distant with thought. The room stood in silence waiting for his response.
"I don't… I don't trust you" Spike placed his words carefully as he looked back up at Soundwave.
The telepath nodded understandingly, "that's okay, I'm not asking for you to trust me".
Spike hesitated, "then what do you want from me?".
Soundwave cocked his helm and smiled the slightest bit. "I suppose that I just want you to give me a chance… if you so wish".
"I…" Spike glanced at his friends. Carly smiled; Chip shrugged. He glanced back at his dad, who gave him an easy thumbs up. Finally, he turned back to the mech in front of him. "Fine, but only if you can just say one thing for me".
Soundwave nodded and leaned forward slightly.
"Repeat after me…" Spike cleared his throat, "the Buckethead is a stupid tin can man".
Soundwave choked in surprise. He cracked a laugh and immediately hid it behind his servo. After a moment, he composed himself. "Very well…" he sat up straight. "the Buckethead is a stupid tin can man", it was impossible to resist the smile as he said it. He briefly locked optics with Optimus as he finished saying it. The Prime shook with silent laughter. Soundwave's composure slipped for a moment and he snorted with laughter.
"I like him" Carly announced to Optimus.
Spike smiled with satisfaction. The whole situation wasn't… great… but at least he got to hear one of the scariest (ex)Decepticons call Megatron a Buckethead.
"I think Rumble and Frenzy will like you" Soundwave smiled at Spike.
The boy snorted, "You can't be serious".
"I am," Soundwave nodded, "you remind me of them quite a bit".
Spike had to ignore the snickers from his friends behind him. "That's… great" he boiled.
The door behind Soundwave suddenly slid open. The telepath glanced behind him to watch Blaster waltz in. He smiled at his friend's cheery demeanor. Blaster casually stood beside Soundwave and rested his elbow on the seated mech's shoulder.
"What's up lil' fellas? Long time no see" he grinned.
"Blaster!" Carly cheered. Chip and Spike both grinned up at the orange mech… he was one of the fun Autobots, like Bumblebee and Jazz. He was the one that snuck them into rock concerts past curfew.
"I see 'yer all getting to meet my best buddy", Blaster hummed, he glanced playfully down at Soundwave. The telepath rolled his optics up at his roommate, but he couldn't keep the smile from his face.
"Are you for real?" Carly laughed, "best buddy?". Blaster nodded with a grin. Soundwave gave a brief confirmation as well. "But you're both so… so different!".
"Hey, what do you humans say? Opposites attract, right?" Blaster chuckled. "How has he been interviewing so far? Has he passed the test?"
"He seems nice" Chip answered.
"That's what I like to hear!" Blaster grinned, "and quite the dreamboat too, eh?".
"Yeah" Carly nodded.
"Hey!" Spike cried. Carly shrugged. Soundwave shrunk down in his chair a tiny bit as he tried to hide his flushed faceplates.
"and shy too" Carly giggled.
Soundwave looked pleadingly up at Blaster, "ready to go?" he begged.
Blaster laughed, "any time, 'Wave".
Soundwave had never been so relieved.
The evening had lazily rolled over the Ark. For the first night in a while, Soundwave, Blaster, and all of their cassettes had the night off. Their quarters were full, but peaceful. Soundwave watched fondly from the table as the cassettes played videogames together. Ratbat and Ravage occupied part of the floor as well. Ratbat was very focused on his colouring page and Ravage was watching with half-awake interest. It truly was quite the domestic scene.
Soundwave jolted and glanced up as a servo gently bopped him on the helm. Blaster snorted, mouth full of energon goodie as he pulled up a chair to join the blue mech.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle ya" the orange mech chuckled.
Soundwave smiled and accepted the goodie being offered to him. He wasn't sure what it was… but the last few days, Blaster's optics felt particularly fixed upon him. He didn't mind, he had no reason to be warry of Blaster. None-the-less, it made him itch to use his telepathy. He wanted to peak into Blaster's processor just for a second and see why his friend was so focused on him lately. Blaster's new fixation did seem to begin after their walk home from a night shift a few nights ago. Perhaps it was just because Soundwave had admitted that Blaster was his best friend. Now that he thought about it… that was probably it. The telepath dismissed the curiosity from his helm, there was no need to overthink things.
Blaster hummed contently around the energon goodie, "these are really good, 'Wave. You must share your recipe with me".
Soundwave snorted and rolled his optics, "we made them together".
Blaster laughed. Soundwave smiled fondly at his friend. The orange mech seemed so chipper lately… almost giddy.
"Blaster has a sweet tooth" Rewind commented from across the room, his optics didn't leave the videogame screen.
Rumble's smile turned devilish as he glanced over to the orange mech. "You have a sweet tooth? You must just LOVE that energon goodie then".
Frenzy was the first to catch on, he cracked into a snicker as he added, "yeah Blaster… do you LOVE the energon goodie?". Slowly, the other cassettes were tickled with glee.
Eject wiggled with giddiness as he joined the suddenly rowdy bunch, "Gee, Rumble, don't you just LOVE the weather we had today?".
Rumble practically rolled over with laughter, "I dunno Eject, maybe I just want to see how things go with todays weather".
Blaster sat frozen at the table; his fingers clenched together in a nervous fist. How mortifying! He could only sit stiffly and watch the cassettes in their hysterics. What if Soundwave picked something up? His spark pounded in its casing. Could Soundwave hear it? He cast a side glance to Soundwave. The blue mech had narrowed his optics at the giddy cassettes. Primus, if Blaster was a human he would be sweating buckets.
"I just LOVE this video game!" Frenzy giggled.
"But are you IN LOVE with it? Or do you just LIKE the video game?" Rewind struggled to catch his breath.
Soundwave sent Blaster a confused look. Blaster could only nervously laugh in response. This only confused the telepath more. Soundwave turned back to the cassettes with a squint. He never liked when Rumble and Frenzy laughed in that way.
"What's all this about?" Soundwave interrupted the fits of laughter.
Rumble sat up again from where he had flopped in giggles. The cassette wiped at his optic as he smiled, "Awh nothin' boss, just an inside joke we all have with Blaster, is all". All of his fellow cassettes grinned and nodded.
Soundwave glanced back at Blaster, who gave a tense laugh and nod. Soundwave raised his optic brows but leaned back in his seat. He wasn't exactly one to pry.
Less than a minute passed before the cassettes were focused back on their game and Soundwave was occupied by his datapad. Blaster's frame gradually lost its tension as he eased back down. His spark skipped around for another minute before he could actually relax.
Cybertronians didn't have strokes, but Primus damn it, these cassettes were going to give him one.
Reflector was nervous to show these images to Megatron. They was particularly… juicy, so typically that would be fun. However, Megatron's temper had been pretty mean lately. Not to sound too cliché, but they didn't like the idea of being the bearers of bad news… not to a Megatron this angry.
Luckily, Megatron didn't seem to be in a hospitable mood either that night. As soon as Reflector handed over the datapad of images to the warlord, he dismissed them from his quarters. They made a hasty exit.
At first Megatron didn't know why Reflector had been so nervous to hand over the images… they looked perfectly normal to him. Soundwave and Blaster on a walk around the Ark, Soundwave and Blaster in their quarters, Soundwave in the halls of the Ark, Soundwave meeting some humans… disgusting. Nothing seemed too different from the previous few datapads he had received. Soundwave, his cassette drones, and his pet Autobot all seemed to be in a routine by now.
Wait.
Something was different. Megatron slowly zoomed in on one of the images. His optics squinted as he leaned over the datapad. It couldn't be… It couldn't possibly be.
An Autobot insignia. There was an Autobot insignia on his communication officer's chestplates. A dizzy spell hit the warlord; he dropped the datapad to his lap for a moment. It couldn't be. His optics were fooling him. The grey mech lifted the datapad back up to his optics and squinted.
Sure enough, the bright red insignia was still there. Spiderwebs of cracks crept across the screen of his datapad. The screen groaned and crackled under Megatron's tightening grip. Shards of glass popped off of the datapad and showered down Megatron's frame.
It was official then. Soundwave wasn't just a traitor to the cause. He was a full blown turncoat. A boiling vat of rage filled Megatron's throat. That traitorous, snivelling, pathetic glitch. The datapad finally succumbed to the pressure and crumpled into a ball of mangled metal and glass.
Megatron was filled with a sudden hard desperation. This was getting too serious. Soundwave couldn't possibly mean to stay with the Autobots forever now, did he? The grey mech swallowed down a very uncharacteristic wave of panic. This wasn't right. This was completely wrong. That traitor. If only he had taken Soundwave back that day at the battle… if only he hadn't hurt him in the first place.
Megatron clutched at his helm as he fluxed from rage and betrayal to guilt and remorse. His frame tremored as he fought within himself. This wasn't right, this wasn't what was supposed to happen. Soundwave was supposed to be here with him! Somewhere along the way, the wires got crossed and now things were terribly, horrifically wrong.
Megatron's frame suddenly went entirely still. He uncurled his posture and sat back up. Slowly, he removed his servos from the sides of his helm.
There was only one thing left to do.
