"Soundwave are you okay?" Steve gasped seeing the weakened mech trudging in with Optimus and the others.
"I'll be good in a minute Steve..." Soundwave weakly replied as Ratchet and Arcee sat him down on one of the medical berths.
"You've lost a lot of energon." Ratchet noted running internal scans on the young mech.
"What you two did was incredibly risky. Why did you ask Mirage to evacuate me?" Optimus scolded both Mirage and Soundwave.
"I was doing what you asked sir. I couldn't have gotten it done without risking you both." Soundwave replied, getting up from the berth.
"How did you get my bomb to cover so much ground?" Mirage curiously asked as Soundwave released Lazerbeak from his torso.
"Sound waves." Soundwave simply replied placing his drone that was in stasis on the medical berth with him.
"That's funny." Steve laughed making many of the Autobots roll their optics at him.
"Yes, my name's Soundwave and I used sound waves, ah ha..." the violet mech retorted shaking his helm, as he repaired Lazerbeak.
Mirage was intrigued by what his brother did with his bomb. "Increase the range by intense vibrations, brilliant!"
"Mirage want to spar?" Bumblebee ask gesturing down the hallway.
"Sure why not." Mirage shrugged racing Bumblebee down the hallway.
"Soundwave you've got quite a few glitched memory banks." Ratchet mentioned With data pad in hand, turning back the violet mech.
"Huh, you were right." Soundwave snorted looking up at the red and blue mech.
"What can we do for Soundwave's glitched memories?" Arcee asked before Optimus could.
"Nothing, it should solve itself over time. As long as it doesn't reverse, glitching out the rest of the your memories." Ratchet replied, lowering his data pad away his face.
"Fun..." Soundwave sarcastically sighed returning Lazerbeak to his torso.
"The way commander Starscream beat the scrap out of you, then Lord Megatron having Shockwave root around in your helm to destroy your memories. I'm surprised at how functional you are." Steve thought aloud as Soundwave walked past them all.
"Well I guess you're cleared to leave. No need to ask the medic about your other results!" Ratchet rolled his optics Soundwave. "You're fine by the way..."
Soundwave smirked at the medic before turning to the Eradicon. "Did Ironhide help you find a better arsenal?" The violet mech asked ignoring Steve's last comments.
"Yes he did. New blaster and shields!" Steve excitedly replied to Soundwave.
Soundwave nodded before continuing down the hallway, with Arcee in tow. "You don't have patrol?"
"No I've been helping Ratchet. The twins and Ironhide left with Jazz just before you ended your battle. So you're stuck with me." Arcee replied wrapping her arms around her mech as they continued towards the training room.
Mirage dodged left and right as Bumblebee came at him hard. "Ow! You're getting better Bee!" The red youngling laughed as Bumblebee knocked him down.
"Thanks, oof!" Bumblebee thanked his little brother as he was tackled to the ground by a red blur.
"Well I was going to say Mirage's finally learned how to tone it down. But I'd be eating my own words." Arcee scoffed walking towards the brawling brothers with Soundwave.
"Why don't you take on Mirage with Bee?" Soundwave gestured at the young battle.
"What and have you and Mirage tag team us?" Arcee retorted raising an optic ridge at the violet mech.
"Mirage is perfectly capable of handling two opponents." Soundwave shook his helm, stepping back as Arcee approached the younglings.
Arcee rolled her optics joining the yellow scout in battle against against Mirage.
Soundwave watched the playful brawl for a while, wondering about his missing memories. Soundwave dismissed the thoughts about his memories, replaying the transmission Megatron gave when escaping their recent battle.
While the three sparred Soundwave tried to figure out Megatron's next step. His best guess after hearing Megatron's transmission, was that he was going back to Cybertron to transport more dark energon.
"Alright Mirage you win!" Arcee groaned as Mirage pinned her and Bumblebee.
Mirage quickly hopped off the two with a smile. "You two did pretty good."
"Gee thanks, could've... been even..." Arcee grabbed her helm as a wave of dizziness came over her.
"Are you two alright?" Mirage asked with concern seeing Bumblebee acting in the same manner.
Soundwave paused his train of thought, seeing his sparkmate dizzily try to steady herself on the wall. "What's going on?" The violet mech asked helping Arcee steady herself while Mirage did the same with Bumblebee.
"I'm not feeling so great..." Arcee replied as Soundwave kept her steady.
"I'm not either..." Bumblebee added while Mirage began to lead him towards the exit.
"I think it's your turn to be dragged into the med bay." Soundwave joked following his brother to the med bay.
"Ironic since... I was the one dragging you a while ago.." Arcee weakly chuckled.
Ratchet turned around with a look of confusion, seeing both Arcee and Bumblebee on the medical berth. "What's going on here?"
"We were sparring with Mirage after a while I just felt sick..." Arcee held her helm as another wave of weakness came over her.
"Were you going to hard on them Mirage?" Ratchet asked scanning the femme and scout.
"I was not, I didn't even spill any energon!" Mirage whined defensively.
"Well I'm not finding anything physically wrong with either of you. It's as if you two were exposed to something toxic." Ratchet noted reviewing his scans.
"That's odd I didn't go anywhere... except to retrieve Soundwave." Arcee mentioned just as confused as the old medic.
"Maybe that bomb Soundwave used had an after effect?" Ratchet thought aloud. "You did walk into the aftermath after all."
"Then why aren't you and Optimus effected? I mean what about Soundwave he's fine, and Bumblebee wasn't even with us why is he being effected?" Arcee scoffed as Ratchet continued to examine them.
"You raise valid points Arcee. But it's unusual that this happened without any exposure to anything? Both of you go take decontamination baths." The old medic scoffed turning back to the monitors. "The biggest issue is what caused this."
"Where is Optimus anyway?" Soundwave asked noticing the Prime was missing from the room.
"Optimus took Steve to meet up with Ironhide at that untouched mine you discovered. But I'm not going to be taking any chances." Ratchet said walking past the violet mech, to the main monitor. "Optimus I'm going to need you to return to base. I'm locking onto your location now." The medic spoke through the comlink firing up a ground bridge.
The large red and blue semi truck emerged through the bridge moments later. Optimus transformed calmly making his way over to the medic. "Yes Ratchet?"
"Have you had any dizziness since returning from the battle with Megatron?"
"No, why Ratchet?" The Prime asked cocking an optic ridge as Bumblebee and Arcee came out of the decontamination bath.
"Arcee has been feeling off since then, and Bumblebee has as well, although he didn't go with us." Ratchet mentioned as the two walked over to him. "But they were brawling with Mirage."
"I haven't felt any different old friend, perhaps Mirage was a little rough?" Optimus replied looking at his red youngling.
"I wasn't that rough. I was going easy on them, trust me. Plus Ratch said it's like they were exposed to something toxic." Mirage shrugged innocently at his father.
"Well I feel alright now." Arcee mentioned standing next to her mech.
"Me to, maybe we did spar to hard?" Bumblebee thought aloud as he walked over to his father.
"Hmm it still doesn't explain the toxic element..." Ratchet pondered going back to his medical findings. "Well if it continues, come back and I'll look into it further."
Both Soundwave and Arcee shrugged, walking off towards the base exit.
"Can I go back to the mine with you?" Bumblebee asked looking up at his father.
"Yes Bumblebee you may." Optimus nodded restarting the ground bridge. "Mirage, would you like to join?" The Prime asked as Bumblebee drove through the bridge.
"Nope, I've already seen it." Mirage replied with a smile.
Optimus returned the smile before transforming following his scout through the bridge. As Ratchet gave himself a decontamination bath.
"We sure have a lot of energon to process." Mirage sighed as Ratchet stepped out of the bath, walking back over to his work station next to the processing machine.
"We sure do, that's the way it should be. But it is a lot of work. I really appreciate you and your brother helping me out when you can." Ratchet told the red youngling.
"It's like watching paint dry..." Mirage complained watching the energon processor drip steadily.
"It is a bit of a pain to watch, why don't you clean some of my instruments while you wait?" Ratchet suggested handing the young assassin the cleaner.
Mirage shrugged with a snort. "Nothing better to do."
Ratchet smiled as the red youngling began cleaning tools. Turning back to his medical studies the old medic exhaled trying to figure out what could produce toxicity levels that were invisible.
"Are you sure you're feeling good enough to go for a drive?" The low flying reaper asked the motorcycle driving below him.
"I'm fine Soundwave. It was just a dizzy spell." Arcee replied with a dry chuckled. "So did Optimus tell you Agent Fowler is coming tonight for a visit?"
"You mean an interrogation." Soundwave scoffed over his com.
"Soundwave..."
"I'm not stupid, don't bother trying to hide the fact that that human is only coming back to get more of my background history, so he can kick me off this dirt rock." Soundwave hissed interrupting the femme.
"You're right, I won't sugar coat it. It's going to be rough, especially since you brought in a new Decepticon friend. But Optimus won't let them exile you." Arcee reassured the reaper.
"I guess we'll see..." Soundwave sighed seeing the twins, Ironhide, and Jazz driving towards them returning to base.
"Well there goes my peace and quiet..." Ratchet groaned hearing the roar of engines entering the base. "Mirage can you hand me the..." the old medic turned around only to dizzily stumble as he turned towards the youngling.
"Ratchet are you okay?" Ironhide asked with concern walking over to help steady the medic.
"I'm dizzy just like Bee and Arcee?" Ratchet thought aloud as Ironhide walked him over to the medical berth.
"Maybe you should take a break Ratchet?" Jazz suggested walking into the med bay with the twins.
"Yeah don't work yourself into the ground old mech." Sunstreaker snorted getting a wrench thrown at him. "Ow!"
"I'm not dizzy because I'm old you moron!" Ratchet hissed as Ironhide scanned him handing over the medical data pad.
Mirage giggled at the golden twin, moving out Ironhide's way as he grabbed the medical data.
"I can't believe it it's the same readings?!" Ratchet shook his helm in disbelief.
"What are going on about Ratch?" Sideswipe queried wondering like the rest of the team, what the hell was going on?
"I'm getting toxicity levels that are causing my dizziness, it happened to Bee and and Arcee moments ago. But there was no source." Ratchet sighed trying to find something different in the scans.
"Weird, we've been here for quite a long time now. The base shouldn't be toxic." Ironhide scoffed folding his arms.
"It's not the base." Ratchet shook his helm as Bumblebee Steve and Optimus returned.
"What's going on?" Steve asked noticing the crew of Autobots surrounding the med bay.
"Ratchet's not feeling well." Jazz replied as the three approached them.
"It's happening to you to old friend?" Optimus raised an optic ridge, as everyone shuffled around to make room for Optimus.
Soundwave's scanners read no Decepticon signals. Not even a single Decepticon transmission could be heard.
"It's been an hour and I'm not getting anything." Soundwave almost complained.
Arcee laughed. "Well I don't know if that's a good or bad thing."
"It could go either way with the Cons." Soundwave sighed as he descended flying just above the motorcycle.
"Arcee, Soundwave return to base." Optimus's weakened voice came over their comlinks.
Arcee drifted turning around back in the direction of the base. "Did he sound off to you?"
"Very." Soundwave replied creating a bridge for a faster way of returning.
Arcee and Soundwave both walked through the bridge to see the entire team seemingly weak, suffering from dizziness. "What in the Allspark is going on here?" Arcee gasped jogging over to the team sitting on the ground.
"We're all experiencing the same dizziness." Ratchet replied as Arcee began running medical tests.
The violet mech cocked his helm curiously as he approached the team. "All except for Mirage?" Soundwave noted seeing his younger brother standing confused but healthy.
"You're all reading off as exposed to toxins." Arcee gently moved Mirage out of her way while reading her scans as a wave of weakness disoriented her. "The hell?"
Soundwave quickly caught Arcee before she could fall. Sitting her gently on the floor next to Mirage's peds.
"Why am I dizzy again?" Arcee groaned in frustration.
"You may still be vulnerable from the first time. I'll run some more tests." Soundwave shook his helm. After a few long moments of researching to no avail. Soundwave materialized his visor to have more scans running through while he worked on the monitor.
"Why is it that we're all effected, when Soundwave and Mirage are just fine?" Sideswipe complained as a sharp wave of dizziness washed over him.
"I've done a full scan on myself. I'm completely fine everything is running normally with no toxicity." Soundwave replied turning to the downed team.
"Scan Mirage!" Sunstreaker facepalmed growling at the violet mech.
Soundwave rolled his optics behind his visor, turning to his little brother scanning him. Having alarms sound off through his speakers. "Mirage you're the source of the toxicity!" Soundwave announced getting gasps from the others.
"What do you mean? I'm the same as I always am!" Mirage defensively whined at his brother.
Soundwave shook his helm switching to his X-ray vision, looking over his little brother's frame he spotted the dark energon he bridged during their battle. Retracting his visor Soundwave stomped over to his little brother.
"Hey!" Mirage yelped as his brother held him up by his doorwings.
Soundwave turned Mirage so his side faced him. Activating the protective cover that closed Mirage's storage compartment. Soundwave reached in pulling out the dark energon shard.
"Dark energon!"
"Oh yeah... ha ha... I forgot I had that..." Mirage sheepishly smiled as Soundwave and the rest of the team glared at him.
"You idiot! There's a reason I told you to be clear of everyone when I sent it through!" Soundwave scolded giving his brother a small shake.
"What was I supposed to do with it?!" Mirage whined as Soundwave placed him back on the ground.
"Destroy it! You're the sparkling of destruction, you suddenly can't figure out you should destroy something that causes everyone harm?!" Soundwave hissed in frustration stepping over everyone who sat on the floor.
"You didn't tell me to destroy it. You told me to catch it!" Mirage argued following his brother out of the base.
"Everyone get your afts in the decontamination bath. Single file one at a time, because I have to explain it to you idiots." Ratchet hissed glaring at the twins.
"Your careless forgetfulness endangered every single one of our teammates!" Soundwave continued to argue with his little brother. Creating a ground bridge in front of them.
"How are we going to destroy it?" Mirage groaned following his brother through the bridge. "Ah!" Mirage yelped as he fell off the edge of a volcano, almost falling into the fiery pit below.
Soundwave grabbed hold of his brother with one of his tentacles. "Moral of this argument is, don't be so careless." the violet mech shook his helm as he pulled his brother up to safety.
Mirage caught his breath as he was placed next to his brother. "Okay I get it!"
"Good." Soundwave nodded tossing the dark energon into the volcano.
"So why the hell didn't the dark energon effect Mirage and Soundwave?" Sunstreaker complained after getting out of the decontamination bath.
"Because dark energon makes up a majority of their energon. They're immune to most of it's effects." Ratchet gave an annoyed sigh reviewing a data pad full of scans of Mirage and Soundwave.
"Yeah? Let me see!" Sunstreaker hissed snatching the data pad from the medic.
"Look at this Mirage is 30% dark energon, 30% red energon, 30% Tox-en, and 10% regular energon!" Sunstreaker read aloud turning his back to Ratchet, as the medic tried to get back his data pad. "Soundwave's 30% dark energon, 20% red energon, 40% Tox-en, and 10% regular!" Sunstreaker scoffed as Ratchet whacked him on the helm grabbing the data pad back. "They're practically walking chemical bombs. If they bleed on us will they burn us!?"
"I should've figured it was dark energon, some of the other Eradicons felt the same effects we did. Most of them died though. Shockwave's trying to figure out how to gain control of dark energon." Steve mentioned as Soundwave and Mirage returned.
"Regardless of how toxic Soundwave and Mirage's energon is. They're still Cybertronian and they're still a part of this team Sunstreaker. You would be wise to remember that." Optimus warned the judgemental twin.
"What are you shouting about Sunstreaker?" Mirage scoffed walking towards the others.
"Nothing..." Sunstreaker mumbled keeping an optic on the glaring Prime.
"Thank you two for ridding of the dark energon." Ratchet shoved the golden twin out of the med bay.
"Steve the spacebridge is located just outside of Earth's orbit right?" Soundwave casually asked walking over to the ultramarine mech.
"Yes, that's right sir it's just outside of Earth's orbit." Steve confirmed Soundwave's information was correct.
"That's what I thought." Soundwave quickly hopped on one of the monitors, transferring his data from his visor onto the monitor.
"You knew where the spacebridge was this entire time?" Ironhide questioned the young mech with suspicion.
"Yes I forgot about it I do sincerely apologize. I haven't been able to remember too much since I've returned." The violet mech apologized as he pulled up the location of the spacebridge.
"Well how the hell are we supposed to get up there?" Sunstreaker groaned seeing the location of the spacebridge was above Earth.
"With a bridge Sunny, duh." Sideswipe retorted shaking his helm at his twin.
"Sunny duh, I like it. Yeah that's your new name." Arcee snickered as Optimus approached his apprentice.
"I have no doubts that Megatron will be bringing an undead army through that bridge to Earth." Optimus Prime thought aloud staring up at the monitor.
"He won't be doing that anytime soon, unless Shockwave finds his symbiotic link." Soundwave reminded the Prime.
"It matters not, the bridge must be destroyed before Megatron has the opportunity to do either one of those." Optimus stated turning to face his Autobots.
"Well if we're destroying a spacebridge, we're going to need some serious firepower." Ironhide said looking over at the ancient medic.
"I can construct something." Mirage volunteered before Ratchet could reply to the weapon specialist.
"Fine, I am going to help you with it though." Ratchet sighed as Mirage happily entered his med bay.
"What will be the estimated time for the construction?" Jazz queried grabbing some energon.
"That's unknown. It depends on how long Mirage takes." Ratchet replied his tone very unamused.
"Ive got the base of the bomb, I need a core and something to make the firepower functional." Mirage replied pulling out a large scary looking device out of one of the cupboards just outside of the med bay.
"Mirage I can't believe you had that near my lab!" Ratchet hissed staring at the explosive device.
Soundwave shook his helm at his brother and the old medic. Turning back to the monitors, Soundwave looked for an alternative way to destroy the spacebridge.
"It's not live or complete. It wouldn't have caused any major issues." Mirage shrugged placing the device on one of the tables.
"How do you know that?" Ratchet growled watching the youngling place the device down.
Mirage sheepishly shrugged with a unsure look. "I don't. But it hasn't done anything soooo..."
"Let's focus Autobots, we need a plan of attack." Optimus pulled the conversation back to the point of the bomb.
"Save your bomb for another time Mirage." Soundwave said placing a servo on his brother's shoulder.
"You have a different plan for destroying the spacebridge?" Ratchet scoffed watching as Soundwave pulled up spacebridge architectural blueprints. "Mirage get that thing out of my med bay! Put it in one of the secure storage lockers!" the medic hissed at the youngling taking the unfinished bomb.
"I do. A spacebridge has massive amounts of energon flowing through it, especially when fired. The flow regulator being an important component in that flow. If we were to reverse the energon pumps current, it would overload the systems, and cause a catastrophic explosion that would rip the bridge apart!" Soundwave excitedly explained to the team.
"Alright calm down there mad scientist. How the frag are we going to know when Lord Bucket head is firing that stupid contraption?" Sunstreaker shook his helm at the violet mech.
"We won't... but I can send Lazerbeak to survey the spacebridge to alert us when Megatron activates it, or the Warship is there." Soundwave replied with an unwilling tone.
"Send Lazerbeak out. It is paramount that we know when the bridge is fired. We cannot allow Megatron to bring a legion of the undead to Earth." Optimus ordered his young apprentice, as the proximity alarm went off.
Soundwave nodded with a heavy sigh. Releasing Lazerbeak, using his internal controls Soundwave remotely opened the base lift so Lazerbeak could leave.
"For the love of... Prime! I'm sure you have sensors and surveillance video of me arriving! Why would you open your lift when I'm about to land on it, and who's the little birdie that almost knocked me out of the sky!" Agent Fowler's angered face popped up on screen for all to see.
Soundwave snickered at the mans reaction, he didn't realize the helicopter attempting to land on the base.
"Soundwave..." Optimus glared at the snickering young mech.
"Sorry I didn't realize he was trying to land on a lift... stupid place to park a helicopter anyway... there's tons of space around it..."
"Soundwave, let Agent Fowler land please." Optimus spoke sternly to his grumbling apprentice.
Soundwave quickly did as he was told. Before hastily making his way towards the base exit.
"Where are you off to?" Arcee asked with her arms folded as her mech passed by her.
"I don't want to be here for an interrogation!" Soundwave retorted.
"Soundwave as second in command your presence during Fowler's visit is just as important as Optimus's." Ironhide told the nervous young mech as Arcee pushed Soundwave back over towards Optimus.
"Soundwave I will be here the entire time. I will try to do most of the speaking." Optimus promised, wrapping an arm around Soundwave's shoulders.
"Wow who is this Agent Fowler? He must be scarier than Megatron if he has Soundwave's transistors chattering." Steve said leaning over to Jazz.
"Well he's not the friendliest, but Optimus knows how to handle him." Jazz replied as the twins snickered.
"Yeah he's going to absolutely love you!" The twins sarcastically chuckled at the Eradicon soldier.
Soundwave took a deep breath of nervousness, as the human lift doors swished open. Optimus released his hold on the young mech's shoulders as Agent Fowler stomped to the railing. Stopping directly in front of Optimus and Soundwave.
"Good evening Agent Fowler." Optimus greeted the irritated human.
"Let's skip the formalities Prime, and just get down to business. I want a live report of what's been going on." Fowler waved his hands at the red and blue mech.
"Very well, Soundwave give a brief report please." Optimus agreed, asking his apprentice to answer the man.
"From someone who doesn't sound like they're gargling marbles through a broken radio..." Agent Fowler rolled his eyes at Soundwave.
"Agent Fowler Soundwave is my second in Command. You either hear his reporting or leave, and wait for the written ones." Optimus quickly halted the gruff agent's insults.
"Fine, go on tin can..." Fowler scoffed giving Soundwave the go ahead.
Soundwave didn't know where to begin he had never reported to a human before. Let alone one that hated him. *Where do I start from!?*
Optimus internally smiled, as Soundwave asked him what to do through their bond. *Just start from the mining operations and go from there*
"We've been running low on our resources, team Prime managed to infiltrate and take possession of two Decepticon mining operations. No where near any humans. We also recently gained a new member of our team, and had a heated battle with Megatron on a different part of this planet. Also no where near human populations. Now we have recently discovered the Decepticon spacebridge, Megatron plans to bring an undead army to Earth. But we plan to destroy the spacebridge and foil Megatron's plans before any harm can befell on Earth." Soundwave reported, gazing over at Optimus who gave him a warm smile and a nod of approval.
"Who's this new member? He looks like a Decepticon with different war paint. Don't tell me you bots can get fooled by a paint job?" Agent Fowler retorted gesturing to Steve.
"I'm Steve sir. Soundwave brought me onto team Prime, I am loyal to Optimus Prime and the rest of the team. I have no intentions of doing harm." Steve replied to the flabbergasted man.
"Steve? Is your name really Steve?" Agent Fowler asked in disbelief.
"5T3V3 to be exact."
The agent shook his head with a sigh. "So you're telling me your ex bad guy, can now just bring random friends to the party? How do you know you can trust this Decepticon?" Fowler hissed at the Prime.
"No, Soundwave found Steve under unfortunate circumstances and decided to give him a chance as an Autobot." Optimus replied only irritating the man further.
"You're on thin ice creepy. I still don't like you, anything you do is going watched under a microscope." Fowler warned pointing at Soundwave.
"Noted." Soundwave challenged rolling his optics behind his visor.
Agent Fowler narrowed his eyes at the violet mech's challenge. "When are you destroying that bridge, and stopping zombie bots from coming to Earth?"
"Soundwave sent Lazerbeak to survey the spacebridge, as our plan of attack will need precise timing." Optimus replied to Agent Fowler.
"Alright, I don't want to see the undead on this planet." Agent Fowler said before turning his full attention back to Soundwave. "Alright I want a full background history on you broken stereo."
"It will take some time for Soundwave to translate that from our language. I will have Soundwave send it as soon as possible Agent Fowler." Optimus replied before Soundwave could. "Do you have anymore questions?"
"Not at the moment. You bots are pretty self sufficient I can't do much to help you during your space battle. Just don't blow up our planet in the process." Agent fowler shrugged walking towards the human lift.
"Don't worry flesh bag, we only blow up Decepticons." Ironhide replied receiving an eye roll from the human.
"I'll leave on that, call me when you begin your battle on the spacebridge." Agent Fowler sighed walking into the lift.
"We will call you Agent." Optimus bid the man farewell as the lift pulled the human to the top of their base.
"Optimus why did you lie for me?" Soundwave asked knowing he could easily translate his background history in a nano click.
"I wanted to give you a little time before Agent Fowler finds another reason to complain about your presence on our team." Optimus sighed to his apprentice.
"Thanks... I'd certainly like to see a microscope that has better watching capabilities then me." Soundwave scoffed looking to his sparkmate who smiled at him.
"Soundwave I'm happy you're taking Agent Fowler's scepticism lightheartedly. But I'm worried about you." Optimus Prime said.
"Why are worried about me?" Soundwave asked curiously.
"Agent Fowler is looking for any excuse to exile you off this planet. Even if you make a mistake I think it would be very difficult to change the minds of Agent Fowler's and his government." The red and blue mech watched as Soundwave retracted his visor.
Soundwave snorted thinking to himself. "Please kick me off this rock..." he secretly hated being on this planet, not that he would ever want to harm any of the natives of this world. He just missed his home.
"Don't say that youngling, you have the right to be here on this planet, just like the rest of the team. You shouldn't be looked at any differently." The Prime tried to discourage the young mech from being negative.
"Sure Optimus..." the violet mech sighed walking down the hallway towards the lift.
Arcee and Optimus gave each other lament looks as the young mech disappeared down the hallway.
"Well I think that's the first human I've met that didn't try to kill me. I didn't realize you worked with humans." Steve thought aloud.
"Yeah, well we invaded their planet. May as well work with them." Ironhide shrugged.
Mirage stood in the middle of the main room frozen in thought. He was worried about his brother and wondered if Soundwave's memories weren't the only thing damaged in his processor. But in the back of Mirage's thoughts he wondered if Shockwave was going to still attempt revenge on them.
"Come'on Steve it's time to chill and power down." Jazz said gesturing for the ultramarine mech to follow him to his quarters.
"Hold on Jazz." Optimus called out halting the two in the hallway. "Autobots our mission to destroy the spacebridge is currently active. You all need to be ready at a moments notice." The Prime announced to the entire team as most of them began making their way to recharging.
"We'll be ready Optimus."
Soundwave stared up at the starry night sky worried sick about his beloved pet. Lazerbeak was fine though all of his vital stats remained normal. The drone's current location exactly where he's supposed to be at the location of Decepticon bridge. But other thoughts on the war and why it started swarmed Soundwave's mind, he was curious to their history. But also wanted to see if he could solve the issues that sparked the war. Soundwave glanced over his shoulder for a second, to see the cobalt femme approaching him.
"Hey, I thought you'd might want some energon." Arcee said, handing her mech a cube.
Soundwave didn't want it, but took the offered energon to be polite. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Arcee replied sitting herself down on a flat rock that almost resembled a table top. Sipping her own energon she followed Soundwave's gaze, looking up at the stars.
Moments went by with no words Soundwave continued to stare off into the distance. He hadn't even thought of taking a sip of the much needed energon in his servo.
"You don't really want to be exiled from this planet do you?" Arcee asked breaking the silence.
Soundwave didn't respond right away, it was a sensitive question for him to answer. He really wanted to go home. "N...no..." his voice was shaky, as his spark beat with rhythm.
"Why would you wish it upon yourself then?" Arcee continued to press on focusing all her attention on her mech.
"I just want to go home..." The violet mech sighed calming his spark.
Arcee softened her optics with a smile. "I'm sure there's more to it then that. But I won't beg you for the real answer."
Soundwave deleted all warnings flaring in his processor as his femme wrapped her arms around his waist in a loving embrace. The real answer was he wanted to be somewhere he felt like he belonged. Although Cybertron wasn't to different from this Earth, he was just as out of place on Cybertron as he was anywhere else in the universe.
Arcee gave gentle squeeze bringing her mech out of his thoughts. "Are you coming down to recharge?"
"Maybe..." Soundwave replied giving another worried gaze up at the sky.
"Your worried about Lazerbeak. He'll be fine he's a surveillance drone he's not going to be detected." Arcee tried to reassure the worried mech.
"You're right..." Soundwave sighed turning towards the lift. Arcee released him from her hold, following him to the lift. A lot of bots thought Soundwave's mini con was something to fear just because Lazerbeak was a weapon and spy. But in truth, his drone gave him sanity. Kept him calm and focused when tasks or life got difficult. Soundwave hated it when Lazerbeak was ill or hurt. He couldn't stand to ever see his beloved pet be harmed or killed. After departing with Mirage when he was a youngling, Lazerbeak had been the only loyal one that had stuck by his side with no judgement towards what Soundwave was.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to say it like that." Arcee apologized as they stepped out of the lift. "I just meant Lazerbeak knows what he's doing. I have faith in him."
Soundwave nodded in understanding, he knew Arcee's words were not intended to be rude.
"Hey, aren't you coming?" Arcee asked noticing the violet mech not following her to their quarters.
"I'll be there in a bit." Soundwave smiled.
Arcee nodded walking into their room.
Soundwave turned walking into the empty training room. He had to clear his helm, the violet mech began with simple target practice. The target practice got tired real quick, moving on to the melee targets, after a few minutes it got boring as well. Soundwave sighed staring at the distant target across the room, materializing his visor he locked on his very own coordinates. He opened a bridge directly on him, warping himself directly to the target. Upon appearing above the next target, Soundwave swiftly kicked the target down. Seeing another target pop up on the opposite side of the room, the mech's visor lit up as he quickly warped himself over striking the target down with ease. *That wasn't too bad...*
Soundwave set up moving targets that also fired at him. He dodged and struck down a few nearby targets before attempting his brother's suggested move once again. Warping himself around the room destroying each target with ease. His teleporting under pressure was beginning to come along. Soundwave knew he had a lot of abilities he had never fully used yet, most of them being too deadly or dangerous to use around teammates. But he had to admit his brother was right. "It's not so hard." he laughed to himself.
"Told you it wasn't." Mirage snorted appearing next to his brother.
"Hmm... I suppose I need a little more practice." Soundwave shrugged.
"Of course, but you're at least getting it." Mirage replied with a smile.
Soundwave raised an optic ridge behind his visor. "What are you still doing up?"
"I'm working on something." Mirage shrugged as Soundwave turned off the training sims.
"Work on it tomorrow. Time to recharge." Soundwave said escorting his little brother down the hallway.
"Oh come'on I'm not even tired!"
"I don't want to hear the whining, just go." Soundwave pointed the Mirage at the youngling's room.
Mirage rolled his optics walking into the room. "Good night Wave."
Soundwave smiled retracting his visor, entering his room Arcee was already recharging. He sat himself at the desk figuring he could transfer his background history to one of the blank data pads.
What usually would take Soundwave nanoclicks to write out, was now turning into hours. What seemed like simple history data, was turning into dread. A cluster of his memories were beginning to repair, presenting his Decepticon spymaster past. There were a lot of missions he kept from the Autobots, sifting through all his own history data. Soundwave knew once he made this report file, Optimus would double check it for protection against the humans scrutiny. Soundwave's mixed coloured optics grew tired, his overwhelming thoughts of whether or not to continue to hide his past frustrating his processor. The violet mech rested his arms and helm on the desk, he felt like he was on the verge of tears. What the hell am I supposed to do? He had been with the Autobot's for some time now, he had forgotten all about the worst parts of his spymaster past. Closing his optics Soundwave's spark sank. I'm going to be exiled, I'll never be a Prime.
Megatronus walked into the service tunnel that was the exit and entrance to the gladiator arena. He smiled victorious from his match, as Shockwave walked over and began to attend to his battle wounds.
"That was quite the win Megatronus. You are certainly gaining a larger audience. Especially with your speeches about the unjust caste system." Shockwave commented as he repaired the gunmetal grey frame.
"Yes it is only a matter of time before my audience grows past Kaon and the Badlands. Although I'm sure there's some data clerks listening in on my broadcasted matches." Megatronus said, watching as the familiar glow of red from the bioluminescent femme carrying a sparkling approached them.
"Excellent match Megatronus. You look like you miss the mines." Xanthia joked placing her sparkling down.
Soundwave drunkly toddled to his father, falling onto his aft right in front of the gladiator.
Shockwave tilted his helm curiously at the very young sparkling. The sparkling was merely six months old and already had leg functions. How intriguing he thought to himself.
"Thanks, I almost miss the mines, but the risks in the mines are just as lethal as one of my gladiatorial matches." Megatron snorted at the filthy femme. "How are the mines?" Megatronus changed his tone to concern.
The femme did her best to brush the soot and grime off of her frame. "Not good, we lost two more today. One of the smelters ruptured." Xanthia said squatting down to brush off the grime off of her sparkling. "I was almost caught in the midst of the accident and Soundwave got singed by some of the smelters liquid substance." She sighed picking up her sore sparkling.
Megatronus sighed seeing the singe marks on his sparkling's neck and chest. "The mines are no place for a sparkling."
"I know that, but what choice do I have? I can't leave him at home, and you're too busy with matches. Especially since you've begun to take on a political stand point." Xanthia hissed in frustration.
Megatron furrowed his optic ridges. "It's more dangerous to take Soundwave to the mines, you can't bring him there. Stop going to the mines, I forbid it."
Xanthia gave a dry chuckle at the mech's commanding tone. "Are you kidding me? I need to work so we can live. Even then we're barely surviving."
Soundwave cowered in his mother's arms as the one opticed mech began to examine him.
"Damn the caste..." Megatronus cursed he couldn't stand to see a femme with a sparkling trying survive.
"The smelter has caused your sparkling to have permanent damage to his voice box." Shockwave mentioned finishing his scans on the violet sparkling.
Xanthia closed her optics with a mournful sigh. "I can't keep doing this to Soundwave..."
"He will be able to speak do not fret. His voice may just sound very unusual." Shockwave reassured the upset femme.
"Do not return to the mines Xanthia this risks are too dire." Megatronus commanded his femme.
"How am I going to get what little energon I can get for my sparkling?" Xanthia scoffed shaking her helm at the gunmetal grey gladiator.
Megatronus turned to Shockwave, locking optics with each other. "Barricade and Lugnut are planning an energon raid on a cargo hauler tonight."
Xanthia exhaled deeply staring into her sparkling's mixed coloured optics. "I'll be there."
Megatronus nodded. "I will be there as well, we meet Barricade in the Badlands." Walking with the femme and scientist they entered into the ragged, filthy, torn streets of Kaon.
"Someone will have to watch Soundwave. Maybe I should ask Orion Pax." Xanthia mentioned remembering Megatronus's kind brother.
Megatronus chuckled venomously. "My data clerk brother, who's never set foot outside of the safety of Iacon? Ha!"
Even Shockwave laughed at the thought of a middle caste mech treading in the territory of the lower caste criminals of Cybertron.
"When's the last time you saw your brother?" Xanthia raised an optic ridge challenging her mech.
"When Soundwave was sparked. The only time we were permitted in Iacon." Megatronus scoffed.
"You're bother is sweet. And he should be done his shift by then, I think he will come watch Soundwave..." the femme shrugged knowing the librarian was usually kind.
"Pah! If you can convince him, good for you. But I wouldn't dare mention as to why you need a sparkling sitter." Megatronus warned the hopeful femme.
Xanthia nodded in agreement knowing the archivist would be dead set against them committing a crime.
Soundwave whined reaching out for the gladiator walking beside them.
Megatronus sighed as Soundwave was placed in his arms. Soundwave babbled playfully smacking his father's battle scarred arm. Megatronus smiled. "One day you'll be a great gladiator."
"Ga!" Soundwave chirped excitedly, coughing in pain shortly after his excitement.
Megatronus gave a concerned sigh as his young sparkling coughed up energon. Wiping the coughed up energon from his sparkling's chin fuelled Megatronus's motive to eradicate the caste system.
Shockwave scoffed with an unnoticeable head shake. "The way the caste system is he'll most likely become a criminal spymaster."
"Hopefully before that time comes, the caste system will be no more." Xanthia replied to the cyclops comment.
"I will make sure of it." Megatron vowed staring into his sparkling's optics.
"Soundwave?"
Soundwave woke to the feeling of his shoulders being moved. Ignoring the warnings flaring in his helm, he sat up straight looking up at his waker.
"Come get to bed, you'll be more comfortable." Arcee said pulling her mech out of the chair.
Soundwave didn't verbally reply, crawling into the berth with his femme. He had only been recharging for half an hour.
Arcee wrapped her arms around his waist in a loving embrace, falling back into her own slumber.
Soundwave felt like his helm was going to explode. With all the thoughts going through him he could not fall back into slumber.
"I can't believe you got the librarian out of the Hall Of Records." Megatronus scoffed as the femme prepped another bottle for her little sparkling.
"I told you I could. Orion's just pulling up now." Xanthia replied pointing to the cracked window Soundwave sat in.
Soundwave watched as the red and blue mech transformed, approaching the door to their home.
Megatronus growled as Xanthia went to answer the door. He had not seen his brother in deca cycles since they went to their collective castes.
"Try to be nice, I'm sure your brother is nervous to see you to." The femme said stopping in front of the closed door.
Megatronus snorted. "I'm not nervous." He was ready to defend them from a higher caste bots criticism.
Xanthia rolled her optics with a smirk as she opened the door.
Soundwave scrambled down from the window to hide behind Megatronus. Peeking out from the gladiators giant ped, he watched as his mother invited the red and blue mech into their home.
"Hello Orion Pax, thank you for coming." The deep metallic blue femme greeted shutting the door after Orion stepped in. "Did you find the place alright?"
"Yes I found it alright." Orion Pax was nervous driving through Kaon. He did not blend in with the bots that lived here. But he had found the femme's home with ease. It saddened him to see such poor living conditions, the femme and sparkling lived in what almost seemed like a tiny shack. There were broken windows and missing panels from the roof. "It has been too long Xanthia." Orion smiled at the femme.
"So it has been brother." Megatronus answered for the femme gaining the librarian's attention.
"Brother it has been too long. I have heard through the Grid of your success in the pits and your new name." Orion Pax greeted his older brother.
"Yes I gladly gave myself a name, as I am a living Cybertronian just like you. I have encouraged many other nameless Cybertronians to do the same. I am sure you'll be hearing more then just my victories soon enough." Megatronus scoffed walking past his brother to the door.
Orion Pax was nervous meeting his brother after so long. Megatronus did make some good points, he didn't understand why the lowest of the castes were not given proper names. It was not long ago that Xanthia and her sparkling went unnamed.
"I remember naming you not to long ago little one." Xanthia chuckled staring at her nervous little sparkling. "He fell in love with the music being played at one of our social gatherings. He was so enthralled with the watching the sound waves ripple across a cracked screen."
Soundwave stared frozen in the middle of the room as his cover left him. Watching as his mother conversed with the red and blue mech.
"Yes it was a pinnacle moment for Soundwave. now Shockwave and the others are waiting for us Xanthia." Megatronus impatiently said.
"It certainly was since you were the one who named him." The femme scoffed giving her sparkling a kiss on the helm. Xanthia sighed with a smile as Megatronus waited for her to join him outside. "There's a few bottles ready on the counter. Sorry I don't have any energon for you."
Orion Pax gave the femme a reassuring smile. "Do not worry I had some before I left."
"Must be nice to not have dwindling supplies..." Megatronus shook his helm making his way down the street.
Soundwave whimpered climbing back up to the window. Watching as his mother and father left.
Xanthia nodded before following the gunmetal grey mech. "Soundwave is a bit sore from an incident that happened earlier in the mines. But we won't be long."
Orion Pax waved goodbye to the femme. Shutting the door he turned to see the violet sparkling watching the departure from the window. "Hello little one." He bent down to be level with the sparkling on the window.
Soundwave warily stared at the mech he gave a small nervous wave as the mech backed up allowing him to hop off the window sill.
"Are you hungry little one?" Orion asked walking over to grab one of the prepped bottles.
Soundwave nodded as Orion Pax picked him up. Soundwave hungrily began to drink the bottle the first initial swallow stung. He coughed pushing away the bottle, drooling energon all over himself, before going back for more.
Orion Pax looked around the room for anything to clean the sparkling with. Finding a ripped rag, he wiped the drinking sparkling clean.
Soundwave finished the bottle wanting down. Orion obliged to his request placing the sparkling on the floor.
"Do you want to play sparkling?" Orion asked sitting himself down on the ground.
Soundwave nodded with a smile.
Orion Pax waited for the sparkling to go grab toys to play with, but Soundwave just stared blankly waiting for him to engage in play. "Where are your toys little one?"
Soundwave tilted his helm in confusion at the red and blue mech.
Orion scanned the room with his optics no toys were in sight. "Do you have toys?"
Soundwave shook his helm no.
"Hmm..." Orion didn't know what to do with the sparkling. "How about a book?"
Soundwave didn't know what a book was but nodded as he was eager to find out.
Orion smiled sitting himself on the floor. "Okay, have you heard of the Thirteen Primes?" Orion asked as he pulled out a cybernetic book from his storage compartment.
Soundwave shook his helm while climbing up into the mech's lap.
Orion began to read the story to the sparkling, much of it Soundwave didn't understand but the small sparkling seemed to be intrigued. It was a long detailed story, an hour had gone by Orion had grabbed another prepped bottle while he continued to read.
Soundwave drank his bottle tiredly as Orion continued to read. His optics finally growing drowsy as the red and blue mech reached the end of the story.
Orion smiled hearing the quiet snores emitting from the tiny sparkling. Finishing the read, he walked down a very short hallway finding a small garage like room full of filth with a berth made of scrap and a small storage crate made into a crib. Placing the sparkling in the crib carefully, Orion quietly walked out of the room with a deep sigh. He couldn't believe the living conditions here. Hearing the sound of jets and ground vehicle engines Orion stepped outside the home to greet the two mechs and the femme. "You're back. Are you alright?" He asked noticing the purple one opticed mech repairing some minor damage on the femme
"I'm fine Orion just a few scratches." the femme shrugged.
"That was quite the haul. We're going to need to bring you along more often Xanthia." Megatronus chuckled setting a large quantity of energon at the door of the femme's home.
"Yeah well it didn't seem like they were going to stop. Security got me good, but at least we'll have enough energon for a little while."
Orion looked at the large amount of energon then at the injured femme. Putting two and two together. "You didn't obtain this energon legally did you?"
Megatronus knew his brother would figure out their crime soon enough. "Of course we didn't. Here in Kaon we struggle with our energon supplies. It's hung above us just out of reach, so the weak will parish. If high council had it their way, they'd cut all the energon supply we have here, the little amounts we can squander." The gunmetal grey mech wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulders. "I'm sure you'll hear all about our little heist on the Grid you listen to."
"Orion nobody was killed. Injured maybe, but nobody was offlined. We're not about that." Xanthia tried to explain to the upset mech.
"Exactly! This is an unjust system. Orion Pax where you hide in the safety of Iacon collecting data. We're out here trying to survive at our deadly jobs set by the caste. Oh and if you think we're safe when we get home, think again. As much as we're criminals we aren't the worst of them. They worst of them will hear of our heist and come to steal our rations." Megatronus squeezed his brother's shoulders. "Meaning that in the dark of night a murderer may possibly break into Xanthia's home to take the energon, murder her and Soundwave while they take what they need to survive."
"Then why do you risk yourselves by stealing if you worry about the consequences? Why not just earn it honestly?" Orion Pax argued as his brother rolled his optics.
"Because we don't have a choice Orion." Xanthia hissed storming over to the uneducated mech. "If I don't get energon Soundwave doesn't survive. I have to work in the mines where there's constant danger and death, my sparkling got maimed today because I have to take him with. And like Megatronus said we work ourselves to death just to get the scraps of energon. I either do that job, or I steal and provide a little better of a life for my sparkling." Xanthia listed off, she was irritated by Orion's misunderstanding, but mostly frustrated with the unjust system.
Orion Pax changed his expression of anger, to a sympathetic frown. "I'm sorry you have to live like this. What you're doing isn't right, but I understand the need to survive."
Megatronus smirk satisfied with the fact his brother was beginning to open his optics to the unjust system of the caste. "We shall talk later Xanthia." Megatronus said making his way down the street with Shockwave.
Xanthia watched as Megatronus and Shockwave disappeared down the jagged street. Turning she looked at the door to her broken down home. "Thank you for watching Soundwave."
"It was a pleasure. He's having a stasis nap." Orion Pax mentioned, helping the femme move energon into her home. "Xanthia you can't keep living like this." Orion said in a sympathized tone.
"Our systems won't allow me to live any differently." Xanthia replied halfheartedly. "Megatronus has plans to change Cybertron for the better. And rid of the caste system, giving everyone Cybertronian freedom."
Orion Pax watched as Xanthia grabbed the last of the energon. He knew she was right, his brother was also right. The caste system is unjust and needed to be changed. Perhaps he could join his brother in the fight for freedom.
"I'm going to bring you energon from now on. I don't want you to risk you and your sparkling's life in the mines, nor do I want you to risk your own life trying to do heists."
"And I don't want you to risk your life just to bring energon. Do you know how fast you would be shot at? You would be the next heist target." Xanthia smirked with saddened optics. "It was a nice thought though Orion."
Optimus woke up from his recharge with a sense of wonder. He had not had any sort memorable dreams in deca cycles. Getting up the large mech made his way into the main room, where the young violet mech was finishing processing the rest of the energon, while cleaning the med bay area. Optimus wondered if his dreams were in unison with Soundwave's?
"Good morning sir." Soundwave greeted without turning around.
"Good morning Soundwave, how long have you been up?" Optimus asked joining the young mech in the med bay.
"A while..." Soundwave shrugged in reply.
"You didn't recharge at all last night did you?" Optimus cocked an optic ridge at the violet mech.
Soundwave shook his helm no, making Optimus soften his gaze.
"What kept you up youngling?"
Soundwave's spark beat quickly at the Prime's query. "Just doing reports." He lied with a nervous edge in his tone.
The mention of reports reminded Optimus about Soundwave's background history. "Did you by any chance finish your background history report for Agent Fowler?"
Soundwave new that question was coming. He couldn't lie to his mentor, he had to give in his report. Even if it meant he would be exiled, and no longer a part of the Autobots. "Yes I did sir here..." Soundwave handed over the data pad to the Prime. Knowing once Optimus read his background history he will be greatly disappointed in him.
Optimus Prime took the data pad, cocking his helm curiously, hearing the uncertainty in the young mech's tone. "Is something wrong?"
Soundwave took a moment to reply, his optics darting between his mentor and the data pad. "Well... kind of..." Soundwave's nervous gaze turning into one of disappointment. "I know we're waiting to blow up a spacebridge. But before you read that, can we talk?"
Optimus nodded with a smile placing the data pad down. "Of course Soundwave." Optimus was extremely curious as to why the young mech was so nervous about him reading the data pad. Following the violet mech through a bridge he noted they were in the vacant mine Soundwave found Steve in.
"I'm sorry." Soundwave quietly began, gaining the Prime's full attention.
"Why youngling?" Optimus's curiosity got the better of him. Figuring the young mech was upset about his past Decepticon deeds. "I understand digging through your past was a difficult task for you. I know you've done things you've wished you hadn't. But I know you know the difference between right and wrong now."
The Prime's comforting speech was kind, but it did not change Soundwave's feelings of guilt. "Optimus I just want to apologize to you. I didn't realize how much of my history I have hidden from you, and the team. I will try to explain, unfortunately what I'm about to tell you is not even the worst of what I've done." Soundwave began, changing his mentor's expression. "You were right I do know what happened to Alpha Trion."
Optimus furrowed his optic ridges at the bioluminescent mech. Did Soundwave really lie to his face yesterday?
Soundwave could almost read exactly what Optimus was thinking and quickly clarified. "I didn't lie to you on purpose. I just didn't regain the memory until last night."
Optimus relaxed his sceptical expression. "So what happened?"
"Well just before I joined you, when I still had stolen sparkling Mirage. Megatron assigned me and Mirage, with a couple idiot seekers to storm the Iacon Hall Of Records. Of course you sent a heavy amount of guards to guard Alpha Trion. But Mirage and I had no problems getting through them." Soundwave glanced up at Optimus who was waiting to hear about what happened to his mentor. "Anyway, Megatron wanted me to download the Iacon Database so he could gain some power from the relics and information it held. Mirage was in charge of killing off whoever threatened the mission, while the seekers that came with us did the same while searching for any other useful information, as well as planting a bomb. I easily got into the system and began my downloading. During that Alpha Trion confronted me, I didn't know how to react I just continued to hack the Database since he didn't engage me. I didn't think he recognized me at first since I had no face and the last time he saw me I was a sparkling. I was very wrong."
Optimus looked away in deep thought. "I remember hearing that the Hall Of Records was stormed by Decepticons."
"I wasn't proud of my mission. Alpha Trion spoke to me while I siphoned the Database. He told me I was forced onto the wrong side of the war. That I was supposed to be a solution not a problem. Alpha Trion said that Mirage enjoyed his assassin work with the ability to kill without thinking. But I was suffering in silence forced to do deeds of evil, while being weighed down by a manipulative force. I was surprised he even addressed me by my name. The last thing Alpha Trion said to me was, Optimus was a the Prime to fight for peace and freedom, and I was the conduit to bring that peace and freedom." Soundwave's expression was full of confusion and angst. "I wanted to ask him what he meant by that. But before I could more of the Elite Guard showed up distracting me from the idiot seekers who shot Alpha Trion down. I didn't have time to check and see if the ancient Prime was alright. I had to evacuate and get Mirage to safety as the place was set to blow. Looking back I'm incredibly disappointed with myself that I didn't think to see if Alpha Trion was online. I watched as the Hall Of Records exploded taking Alpha Trion with it."
Optimus was saddened and a little disappointed in Soundwave, But understood the young mech had priorities like keeping his little brother safe. "I'm upset to hear of the horrific fate my mentor met. But it gives me a bit of closure to know what happened." Optimus cupped a servo on the youngling's shoulder. "You had priorities to keep your brother safe. And I am grateful you kept my youngling safe." The Prime reassured the upset bioluminescent mech.
Soundwave nodded with a sigh. "Honestly Alpha Trion was a huge influence on me taking that first terrifying step into switching sides. I don't regret doing so, I just wish I understood why Alpha Trion said that stuff about you and me?"
Optimus smiled with a small dry chuckle. "Yes I didn't fully understand what he had said when I brought you into the Archives long ago." The Prime gave a reassuring squeeze to the violet mech's shoulder. "Now I believe I am beginning to understand exactly what Alpha Trion's words meant."
"Great, can you explain it to me?" Soundwave snorted with a nervous laugh, following Optimus out of the mine.
"It's something that must be discovered. But I can help you along the way." Optimus replied to Soundwave's dismay. "You've bee trying to strategize ways of ending this war correct?"
Soundwave looked up at his mentor in surprise, how did he know? Before Soundwave could question what Optimus had said to him. A sharp disorienting pain washed over his frame, causing him to double over in excruciating pain.
"Soundwave are you alright?!" Optimus asked holding the young mech steady.
Soundwave couldn't answer at that moment, his energon pumping furiously through his veins, while his spark beat ferociously in his chest.
Ratchet's concerned voice quickly came over the Prime's comlink. "Optimus something is wrong with Mirage. And judging by Soundwave's erratic life signature I would assume he's having the same effects. I'm sending a bridge."