"What is your plan Shockwave, and don't be drawl just give me the quick answer." Starscream growled walking down the hallway with the scientist.
"You would be wise to pay attention to detail Starscream." Shockwave replied emotionless. "Soundwave ran this ship amongst other things, never failing a mission. We need him on our side, and you need him to run this ship as you're doing a poor job."
Starscream gasped at the scientist's criticism. "I am not running this ship poorly! I don't need some emotionless walking computer to run my warship."
"Our ship's molecular masking field malfunctioned, and the Autobots raided our ship..." Shockwave glared at the Seeker.
"Ma?" Soundwave whimpered frightened by the seeker.
Starscream groaned glaring at the frightened sparkling in the purple mech's arm. "Well I don't believe your golden Decepticon is going to be running this ship anytime soon."
"On the contrary Starscream. Soundwave needs to attach to a spark bond, then go through another stage before he becomes our top end Decepticon soldier." Shockwave explained as they entered the med bay.
Knockout quickly moved out of the way as the two entered the med bay.
"Ugh... I still run the Decepticons, you're not going to raise our glorious leader from his deathless slumber, so he can bond with his failed sparkling." Starscream's voice dripped with venomous sarcasm.
Shockwave shifted Soundwave to his canon arm so he could grab the seeker's arm.
Starscream yelped as the mad scientist grabbed him violently.
"I will raise our leader off this berth! As much as I despise your idiotic leadership, Megatron must stay in this state for a bond to be successful."
"And how exactly?!" Starscream growled ripping his arm out of Shockwave's grip. "How exactly are you going to create a successful spark bond with Megatron and his sparkling?"
"I'm going to create a duel bond." Shockwave replied placing Soundwave on their unconscious leader's chestplate.
"How the frag are you going to do that?" Starscream rolled his optics.
"I've never even heard of a duel bond?" Knockout added.
Shockwave groaned in annoyance. "I suppose it's never been done, but I will create my own bond with Soundwave as a failsafe as our Lord refuses to except his own sparkling."
Soundwave gurgled curling up next to the tube attached to his father's spark chamber. "Da?"
"Whatever, just don't get distracted by this weakling if I need your assistance." Starscream grumbled leaving the med bay.
"You certainly know how to grind Starscream's gears." Knockout scoffed stating the obvious.
"His quick temper and lack of logical intellect will be his demise. Starscream's productivity rate is outstanding however. Once we have Soundwave going, our search for Decepticon benefits will increase." Shockwave commented, removing Soundwave from Megatron.
"Da?" Soundwave tilted his helm as he was taken into the laboratory.
"I wouldn't call him that once he rises." Shockwave said as he placed the violet sparkling on the counter.
"Opt?"
"He's quite advanced for his age?" Knockout noted.
"Yes when I had small moments to observe Soundwave, I noted as well that he was incredibly advanced for a sparkling with no augmentations." Shockwave scanned the young sparkling.
"Why is that I wonder?" Knockout continued to think aloud.
"I'm a mech of science, not prophecies. But I do believe Soundwave and his brother are fragments of Primus, and Unicron." Shockwave replied handing Soundwave a patterned puzzle cube.
"Fragments of ancient gods? Well if that's the case whose who?" The red medic jokingly replied, watching as Soundwave began fidgeting with the toy cube.
"I believe there is some science behind their creations. I believe it is split by percentages." The purple mech spoke almost in riddles.
Knockout groaned rolling his optics optics. "Meaning..."
"Mirage is most likely more influenced by Unicron's spirit rather than Primus's. I can relate a lot of Mirage's behaviours towards Unicron, and Megatron himself." Shockwave watched as Soundwave solved the pattern puzzle. "Where's Soundwave is more guided by Primus. I see the his personality is closely related to Optimus Prime's humbled demeanour, with the fighting spirit of Unicron."
"Then don't we have the wrong brother? What makes you think Soundwave will stick around this time?" Knockout mentioned to the scientist.
"There's a possibility Soundwave may betray us again. But the only advantage the Autobots had with Soundwave, were the spark bonds that they shared." Shockwave mentioned.
"You're quite obsessive with these spark bonds." Knockout snorted.
"It is a proven fact, the spark bond is a powerful force that is difficult to break. I mentioned it to our Lordship when Starscream captured Soundwave last time. But he failed to attempt at creating a bond with his youngling, and Optimus's connection over powered Soundwave. That is why I am also creating a bond with Soundwave." Shockwave told the medic.
Soundwave chirped playfully grabbing at one of Shockwave's claws.
Knockout chuckled as the mad scientist froze while the sparkling played with his claws. "After all you have put Soundwave through. Are you sure you have the soft spot for a sparkling, in your stone cold spark chamber?"
"It's a small humiliating sacrifice, for a worthy cause." Shockwave sighed giving the sparkling a playful tickle.
Soundwave squealed with laughter as he was tickled. Knockout watching the scene in amusement.
"You're actually going to care for a sparkling without adding your twisted science to it?" Knockout continued to pester Shockwave.
"I do not need to add anything to Soundwave, as his augmented functions are in limbo during his time as a sparkling. My main focus is creating a bond so that Soundwave is indefinitely loyal to the Decepticons." Shockwave explained lifting Soundwave onto his little peds.
Knockout narrowed his optics at the scientist. "You mentioned Soundwave has to go through stages. Does that include his development at a regular pace, or are you going to speed his process of growth through science?"
Shockwave sighed as Soundwave explored the counter top. "This is usually a lengthy project, Doctor. I will return him back to normal eventually, once the bond is completed. But I am afraid if I speed up the rate of growth by skipping large amounts of time, I will jeopardize the whole project."
"So we're going to raise Soundwave all over again? Isn't that a little time consuming. When our Lordship is risen, isn't Megatron going to terminate such a project because of the time wasted?" The red medic scoffed to the purple mech.
"Soundwave was such a successful Decepticon I do not believe Lord Megatron will refuse this project."
"What about the Autobots, surely they're going to try anything to get back their Prime apprentice?" Knockout continued to chat to the scientist's annoyance.
"So long as we keep our masking field running properly, and Soundwave aboard the warship, I do not believe the Autobots will have a chance."
Ratchet sighed as he finished his repairs on the yellow scout. "Bumblebee is repaired, but may be in a great deal of pain for some time." The old medic mentioned walking over to the injured twin.
"Thank you Ratchet, we're thankful Bumblebee is alive." Optimus sighed turning his helm towards the frustrated femme and assassin.
"Optimus you know this is going to take cycles for us to even get a chance to get Soundwave back?" Arcee grumpily mentioned to the Prime.
"The Decepticons won't go on without activity. But the Nemesis can go months without showing up. And Shockwave will no doubt keep the warship cloaking in top shape." Mirage added.
Optimus did have that thought cross his mind when he was making the trade. This situation was frustrating, he was losing his Autobots faith. "I know, I regret that it had to come to this. But we may have to wait until Soundwave is at a stage where he is curious to venture from the warship, or is put on missions. As Soundwave will be used as a weapon against us." Optimus spoke in a regretful tone. "But we must continue to protect this Earth from the Decepticons. If the opportunity to gain Soundwave back presents itself we will take it. But Earth comes first."
"Soundwave will be a fully fledged Decepticon when that opportunity shines. He will want nothing to do with us." Arcee scoffed knowing she wouldn't get to set optics on her mech for cycles now.
A few weeks had passed by, the Decepticons were heavily active thanks to Starscream's manic displays to prove he can deliver more than Megatron.
Soundwave chirped following the purple mech down the corridor. His steps were uncoordinated and wobbly as he toddled his fastest to keep up with Shockwave's stride. "Ga!" Soundwave squealed as a door he was passing opened.
Starscream gasped leaping back in the room he was exiting as he almost stomped the sparkling. "Shockwave! Why are you roaming the hallway with this runt?" Starscream hissed as Soundwave quickly ran over to the scientist.
"I'm increasing Soundwave's spark bond." Shockwave picked up the frightened sparkling.
"By having him follow you like a lost child?" Starscream snorted.
"A sparkling will only follow a bot they have a bond with. Or a bot they are fusing a bond with. Soundwave following me is proof that there is a connection being made." Shockwave hissed at the Seeker Commander.
"Your science is beyond annoying Shockwave, just keep that sparkling out of my way. I won't be so careful the next time he comes under foot." Starscream threatened walking down the hallway in the opposite direction.
Shockwave shook his helm, placing Soundwave back on the floor. "Come sparkling." He continued to stride down the hallway.
Soundwave quickly toddled after the one opticed mech. Drifting into the center of the hallway, wary of the closed doors on the wall. "Ma?"
"Come Soundwave let's go get you some energon." Shockwave gestured for the sparkling to catch up.
"Da?" Soundwave tiredly toddled over to the waiting mech.
Shockwave sighed picking up the violet sparkling. "Come on little one..."
"Opt?" Soundwave looked up at the glowing red optic.
"No sparkling." Shockwave almost groaned, entering the med bay, he placed the tiny sparkling on the warlord's chest plate.
"Da." Soundwave chirped laying his little helm over his father's faint spark.
"How was the game of follow the leader?" Knockout stopped buffing the warlord when the sparkling was placed down.
"Very successful, where did you place the sparkling supplies?" Shockwave replied looking through the med bay cupboards.
"I think they're in your lab... wait didn't the Autobots raid the medical storage and take the sparkling supplies?" Knockout thought aloud as the purple mech walked past him.
"The fools broke in here weeks ago Knockout, I have been using the supplies. They stole broken and faulty sparkling supplies." Shockwave scoffed walking into the next room.
"Shock?" Soundwave whimpered as the one opticed mech left his sight.
"No don't do that you'll hurt yourself." Knockout said as Soundwave attempted to climb off the warlord's frame.
"Shock!" Soundwave cried out as Knockout approached him. "No!" Soundwave avoided the medic that tried to stop him. Painfully tumbling to the floor. Soundwave cried picking himself off the ground, he toddled into the laboratory in search of the scientist.
Shockwave mentally grinned at the fact the sparkling came searching for him.
Soundwave hugged the purple mech's ped as tears escaped his optics.
"I tried to stop him from falling Shockwave..." Knockout began to explain why the sparkling was crying.
"It's alright Knockout, I preferred that you didn't do anything. It seems Soundwave's spark bond is taking to my spark quicker than I had predicted." Shockwave mentioned, picking up the upset sparkling.
"But choosing you, over his creator though?" Knockout raised an optic ridge.
"Megatron's spark is quite faint, Soundwave may not be getting enough of Megatron's spark energy to form a bond. Once Megatron is out of stasis, his bond will be significantly stronger than mine. But I prefer to have the stronger bond, as Megatron will surely have resentment towards Soundwave."
Days went by, Soundwave was getting quite attached to Shockwave's hip, while Knockout was beginning to attempt worm his way to being Starscream's second in command. In Shockwave's optic he was doing a lousy job since the medic hid in the med bay for a majority of the time.
"I think this is the nicest I have ever seen you with a sparkling. I guess mainly because Soundwave hasn't been dissected and dismantled by you yet." Knockout retorted, earning himself a glare from the scientist.
"You know, we do not have to converse every time I enter my laboratory or the med bay..." Shockwave groaned waiting for a bottle to warm.
"Hungy..." Soundwave pointed to the warming bottle of energon. "Hungy, hungy!" The glowing sparkling bounced impatiently In the scientist's arm.
"In a moment Soundwave, patience is a virtue." Shockwave snorted.
"You think he's going to understand you?" Breakdown laughed as he entered the laboratory.
Soundwave stopped his bouncing and fussing, sitting patiently in Shockwave's arm as the bottle finished preparing.
"Huh, seems the sparkling has a processor after all." Breakdown shrugged.
"Soundwave has a more logical mind than both of you put together. Get out of my laboratory!" Shockwave hissed at the two mechs, who didn't hesitate to oblige his demand.
Soundwave began to bounce excitedly as Shockwave grabbed the warm bottle. "Hungy?" Soundwave was confused when the mech didn't offer him the bottle right away.
"Patience sparkling." Shockwave sighed with a small chuckled, walking to the crib that was set up on the other side of the laboratory. "Now you may have it sparkling." Shockwave said, placing the violet sparkling in the crib with the bottle.
Soundwave grabbed the bottle, drinking it as the mech walked walked back across the room. Soundwave wasn't thrilled at being ignored. Standing up in the crib the sparkling tossed the bottle out of his crib. "Hungy!"
Shockwave visibly jumped hearing the bottle hit the floor behind him. "You're supposed to drink it not drop it." The purple mech sighed handing the bottle back to the sparkling.
"Ga!" Soundwave chirped happily at the mech.
"Mhmm..." Shockwave shook his helm turning to go back to his work. He let out a large groan after hearing the bottle hit the ground again.
"Shock!" Soundwave bounced pointing at the bottle.
"Soundwave stop throwing your energon, next time I won't retrieve it for you." Shockwave warned handing the bottle back to the sparkling.
Soundwave groaned as he grumpily drank his energon, watching the scientist hard at work.
Knockout entered the lab to grab some tools, he entered just in time to see Shockwave get hit in the back of the helm by a bottle. "The sparkling has an arm..." the medic attempted to hold in his laughter.
Shockwave growled, spinning around to face Soundwave. "He's just acting out for attention."
Soundwave climbed out of the crib, toddling over to the purple mech. "Shock!" he squeaked hugging the mech's leg.
"That's it... you're going into the next stage. And I'm awakening our Lordship!" Shockwave hissed putting Soundwave up on the counter.
"But Megatron is in a deathless slumber and cannot be risen." Knockout replied in a nervous tone.
Shockwave glared at the red medic. "Are those your words or Starscream's?"
Soundwave whimpered uncomfortably as Shockwave began to cut him open.
"Well... I'm just stating my medical science has not been able to bring Megatron back. What makes you think yours will?" Knockout tripped over his words nervously as Shockwave altered the sparkling's insides.
"I have access to my own science, I have risen many from the dead. I have let Starscream play his little games long enough. Megatron is our true leader, and Starscream has been playing leader poorly. It ends now " Shockwave growled placing another microchip in the crying sparkling.
"What are you doing to Soundwave?" Knockout cringed as the mad scientist welded Soundwave back together.
"I'm sending Soundwave into his next stage so he's more tolerable, and useful for Lord Megatron." Shockwave hissed walking into the med bay with Soundwave. "It will take a little while for the transformation to begin. But in the meantime I am awakening our Master." Shockwave placed Soundwave on Megatron's chest plate.
"Shouldn't we report to Starscream before we raise Lord Megatron?" The medic asked, watching the purple mech go back into the laboratory.
"Does Starscream warn us when he's doing something stupid? No, no he doesn't. As we speak we're melting a frozen region on this miserable planet, for a large energon deposit, even though we control most of the energon sources on this dirt rock. We pay for more useless mistakes then victories." Shockwave scoffed entering with a shard of dark energon in a glass case.
"You had dark energon this entire time?" Knockout gasped as Shockwave allowed Soundwave to take the shard.
"I took a shard from when we collected the dark energon from Cybertron." Shockwave replied removing the tube from Megatron's spark chamber.
Soundwave felt awful and in pain after the quick procedure. Tilting his helm crawling closely to the empty spark chamber. Looking at the glowing dark shard in his tiny servo, the sparkling did not think twice about placing it in the vacant spark chamber.
Megatron's optics shot open raising his upper half off of the berth, he felt a small being slide off his chest plate.
Soundwave pushed himself up to his peds toddling off to the side, watching as his father stepped off the medical berth.
"Shockwave, what is the meaning of this!?" Megatron greeted gesturing to the violet sparkling.
"My Liege I was able to perfect the sparkling transformation, I have successfully gained Soundwave's loyalty..."
"What do you mean Shockwave. It's a sparkling, they have no concept of loyalty or anything else for that matter!" Megatron interrupted the scientist. "So give me one good reason why I shouldn't crush this traitorous fool right now?" Megatron lowly growled glaring at his sparkling.
"I have successfully created a spark bond with Soundwave. He's also been trying to create one with you, his creator." Shockwave quickly explained.
While the two conversed Knockout snuck out of the room to warn Starscream.
"What is your point! My patience grows thin..." The warlord hissed preparing to terminate the sparkling.
"He has no bonds or connections with any of the Autobots. He only trusts you and I." Shockwave tried to explain Soundwave's benefits.
Megatron restrained from destroying his sparkling, as the mad scientist had purged what had caused Soundwave's betrayal from the sparkling's systems. "Where is Starscream?!"
"Topside trying trying to gain unminable energon" Shockwave replied pulling up the surveillance video of Starscream getting ambushed by Optimus Prime.
Megatron's temper boiled over leaving the room to go deal with his second in command.
"Da?" Soundwave went to follow his father out of the med bay.
"No shhh!" Shockwave quickly grabbed hold of the sparkling. "You cannot call him that..."
"Da?" Soundwave was confused by the scientist's words, wasn't Megatron his father?
"Hmm... Lord Megatron may be a little much for you to try to say..." Shockwave pondered. "But you will not be in the stage for long, perhaps I can convince Megatron to allow you to call him that for the time being."
"Optimus!" Arcee yelled as Starscream dove at the downed Prime.
Optimus weakly watched as the fighter jet dove at him preparing to fire missiles. Moments before the jet could fire the missiles a familiar alien jet took the fighter jet off course.
"Megatron..." Optimus growled as Ironhide and Arcee ran over to help him up.
"Please tell me that was not Megatron..." Arcee helped Optimus off the frozen ground.
Optimus glared up at the Nemesis, seeing Starscream getting tossed around like a rag doll. "Ratchet we need a ground bridge..."
"What, we're not even going to attempt to board the Nemesis and find Soundwave?" Arcee hissed gesturing to the warship.
"Arcee there wasn't one moment I didn't think about going to search for him when I was on the deck. But Starscream had to be stopped, before he doomed this planet." Optimus sadly replied watching as the Nemesis flew away.
"We'll get him back Arcee, but we have to put our priorities first. Stopping the Decepticons from destroying this planet." Ironhide told the distraught femme.
"Megatron is back, if Soundwave slips up once he's as good as dead." Arcee shook her helm as the ship disappeared from sight.
Shockwave gave a small chuckle watching as Knockout And Breakdown dragged Starscream's beaten frame into the med bay.
"Shockwave you did this!" Starscream hissed as he was placed on the medical berth.
"Starscream you brought this on your self when you ripped the shard of dark energon from Lord Megatron's spark chamber." Shockwave retorted picking up Soundwave.
"Y...y.. You knew about that?" Starscream nervously asked.
"I know most of the properties of dark energon, one of the properties is it reanimates the dead. Hence the only reason Megatron's life signature came online after the spacebridge explosion." Shockwave shook his helm at the damaged seeker.
"You knew that and still left Megatron's life in limbo?" Starscream attempted to turn the blame on Shockwave.
"You took Megatron's life away..." Shockwave shook his helm inducing Starscream into stasis.
"Starscream's not wrong Shockwave, you did leave Megatron in a deathless slumber." Knockout pointed out to the scientist.
"It was a benefit for Soundwave's loyalty. Megatron understands that." The scientist said, walking out of the med bay.
"Sometimes I swear Shockwave's got a colder spark then Megatron himself." Knockout cringed looking at his partner.
"You've seen Shockwave's work and progress, you'd have to be cold sparked to be able to do those horrible things." Breakdown scoffed.
Soundwave sat on the counter near Shockwave, who continued his research, while Soundwave babbled playing with the puzzle cube.
"Da?" Soundwave lifted his helm as the door to the laboratory opened.
Megatron seemed to have a satisfied evil smirk on his faceplate. Clearly happy with the wounds he inflicted on his second in command. "Tell me Shockwave, has Optimus and his pathetic posse of Autobots attempted to retrieve Soundwave?"
"No Lord Megaton, they have not had the chance. Starscream has been causing erratic chaos on this planet, keeping the Autobots occupied." Shockwave replied as Megatron approached him.
"Hmm Starscream proves to be useful once again..." Megatron grumbled watching as Soundwave excitedly toddled over to him.
"Da!" Soundwave excitedly showed the solved puzzle cube to his father.
Megatron clenched a first, ready to strike the sparkling off the counter.
"Lord Megatron please refrain from striking Soundwave. He's only a sparkling, everyone knows he's your sparkling, having that title will not make you look weak." Shockwave quickly diverted his master's attention.
"Is that so?" Megatron hissed glaring at the purple mech, wondering why his scientist all of a sudden cared about what happens to his projects.
"Yes my Liege. You strike terror into those who follow your lead, they wouldn't dare say a word, unless they were stupid enough to feel your wrath." Shockwave replied as Soundwave placed the puzzle in Megatron's massive servo. "Soundwave will not be in this stage for long." The scientist reassured.
"Fine, I will allow it. As long as what you say about Soundwave's devoted loyalty is true this time." Megatron watched as Soundwave smiled at him.
"Treat Soundwave as you did before this war began, and you will have unbreakable loyalty my Liege." Shockwave mentioned making the warlord chuckle dryly.
"You've been dabbling in behavioural science hmm..." the gunmetal grey mech scoffed remembering the very few sweet moments he had with his sparkling before he got caught up in politics.
Shockwave was off put by that response, he dabbled in every type of science. "Yes my lord, I find psyche is just as powerful if not more than physical strength."
"Taking a play from the Autobots?" Megatron raised an optic ridge, picking up his tiny sparkling.
"Sort of a mind over matter situation sir, you can beat Optimus Prime at his own game. You have a few Earth hours until Soundwave is in the next stage. Bond with him as a sparkling they are more adaptive to a spark bond." The scientist explained to his leader.
Megatron glared at his bubbly sparkling. "I will try, but this does not get in the way of my work, marching the Decepticons towards winning this war."
"Of course Lord Megatron." Shockwave dutifully nodded.
Megatron placed his sparkling down on the hallway floor. Annoyed with the fact his scientist encouraged him to take Soundwave for the time being.
Soundwave toddled as quickly as he could to keep up with his father. His father's stride was much larger than Shockwave's, Soundwave couldn't even keep up. "Da!"
Megatron halted rolling his optics at hearing his sparkling's cries. Turning he could see the tiny glowing sparkling at the very end of the hallway. "Hurry up you worthless... Come sparkling I will wait for you."
Soundwave squeaked quickly making his way to the warlord. "Da!"
"Argh... I can't wait around for a sparkling. Come here." Megatron growled picking up his sparkling.
"Da!" Soundwave gurgled patting his father's arm with his tiny servos. He didn't mind being carried, he was just happy to be close to his father's spark.
Megatron groaned walking into the observation deck, annoyed with his adorable sparkling.
"Da!" Soundwave squealed making Megatron cringe.
"You know you use to be completely silent, not a sound would come from you." Megatron said, holding his sparkling in front of him.
"Shh..." Soundwave playfully shushed his father.
Megatron sighed rolling his optics. "You know... you've always been a resilient sparkling, even after you were maimed, you barely skipped a beat." The warlord chuckled. "I think your mother and I were more scared for you, then you were when you got injured and nearly died."
Soundwave tilted his helm curiously, listening intently to his father's words.
"You were raised by your uncle who stole you away from your mother. Until Shockwave found you after your mother's death, Shockwave raised you to became an incredibly diligent young mech." Megatron moved his listening sparkling back into the crook of his arm. "Then you were captured, stolen from me by your Prime Uncle. You fell into your Uncle's control to scheme against me. And now you're a sparkling again, Shockwave's project, my progeny once more."
"Da?" Soundwave continued to listen and try and understand what his father was telling him.
"Soundwave I will try to be more lenient towards you, having less restrictions for you. As long as you do not slip up and get distracted from tasks, or humiliate me in front of my underlings. I think we'll take over this planet and many others just fine." Megatron playfully held his sparkling above him.
Soundwave squealed with joy and laughter as he was lifted into the air. He could feel the bond between him and his creator growing strong.
"What are you so jumpy about?" Knockout scoffed seeing the one opticed mech visibly jump.
"Hmm... Lord Megatron is actually making an effort..." Shockwave thought to himself, feeling Soundwave's bond dimming with his, while rekindling with Megatron's.
"What are we supposed to be doing with Starscream?" Breakdown whined turning to the medic.
"Besides listening to him moan in pain, nothing. I am giving him pain numbing agents, along with keeping his frame stabilized. He will heal over time." Knockout replied with a shrug.
"Until you're on the receiving end of Megatron's wrath, I suggest you keep your comments about my pains, to yourself Knockout!" Starscream hissed through pain.
"Screamer you're awake how wonderful." Knockout sarcastically replied to the seeker.
"Knockout I need you to deliver these to lord Megatron." Shockwave interrupted handing the medic a handful of energon filled bottles.
"What the frag is this, why are some of them off coloured?" Knockout asked gesturing to one of the off coloured bottles.
"Because Soundwave requires the medicinal purposes of them, Megatron will probably not have to use them all. Just go deliver them before our Liege comes hunting for them." Shockwave growled sending the mech out of the med bay.
"Soundwave come here, where are you going?" Megatron called after his little sparkling who toddled down the corridor.
"Da da da da!" Soundwave giggled running down the hallway only to be just missed by a large ped. "Ah!"
"Primus!" The Eradicon cursed leaping out of the way.
"Watch where you're stepping soldier, or it may be your last step you ever take. It's not as if you weren't informed there's a sparkling on the ship!" Megatron immediately began threatening the mech that nearly squashed his sparkling.
"I'm sorry Lord Megatron, it won't happen again, I promise!" The Eradicon cried out nervously.
"Get out of my sight." Megatron growled picking up his violet sparkling.
Knockout looked in the flight deck seeing the warlord. "My Liege I have a delivery from Shockwave."
"Hmm... tell me Knockout, how is Starscream?" Megatron took the few bottles of energon from the medic.
Soundwave babbled hungrily, seeing the bottles of energon.
"Suffering my lord. His injuries are quite severe, but he will make a full recovery." Knockout replied watching as Soundwave got excited to see his bottles.
"Hungy!" Soundwave coughed, bouncing in the warlord's arm.
"How unfortunate for Starscream, that he will have to continue to obey my leadership." Megatron smirked evilly, placing all but one bottle on a counter. "That will be all Knockout."
Knockout nodded eagerly leaving his leader's presence.
"Hungy!" Soundwave chirped coughing a little harsher than before, reaching for the bottle in his father's servo.
Megatron looked at the bottle in his servo, seeing it was just regular low grade. "This isn't the right one..." he thought aloud switching out the bottle. "Argh..." Megatron groaned in annoyance as the bottle was ice cold.
"Da!" Soundwave coughed still reaching for the bottle.
"One moment sparkling, I have to go hunt down Shockwave." Megatron growled storming to the laboratory.
"Will you shut him up! I can't think with all his whining!" Shockwave hissed at the medic standing in the doorway of the laboratory.
Knockout shrugged inducing Starscream back into stasis, so the scientist could get work done. He jumped as soon as the doors swished open as Megatron stomped past him to the laboratory.
"Shock!" Soundwave coughed, trying to stay in a cheery mood.
"Shockwave I received the bottles you had Knockout deliver. Soundwave is having one of his flare ups, and the bottle with that serum is cold. This will not do!" Megatron hissed almost throwing the energon at the scientist.
Shockwave mentally grinned, glad that his Master was finally being passionate about gaining a spark bond with his sparkling. "My apologies Lord Megatron, let me just put this in the warmer." Shockwave took the energon from the irritated warlord.
"So what stage is the little one going to hit next?" Knockout asked curiously, watching as Soundwave tried to muffle his painful coughing.
"Youngling." Shockwave gave a short response to the medic.
"Wasn't that what he originally was before you threw him back a few deca cycles?" Breakdown scoffed looking at his partner.
"Exactly, he's returning to his original life stage..." Shockwave groaned in annoyance.
"Why are you so fragging obsessed with experimenting with sparklings anyway Shockwave?" Breakdown continued to annoy the scientist.
"Because Breakdown, sparklings and younglings are more susceptible to indoctrination. Soundwave has a strong spark bond with both I and Megatron, hence why Prime always had an advantage over both Mirage and Soundwave." Shockwave explained to the navy blue mech, handing Megatron the warmed energon.
"Doesn't it take quite a while to form a bond with a sparkling that's not yours?" Knockout questioned watching the sparkling drink the bottle hungrily.
"In normal circumstances yes. But since both his creators were presumably offline, Soundwave had no flame to thrive from. So his spark immediately latched on to whomever offered him solace. I also exercised sparkling trust skills, that is how I created mine so quickly." Shockwave turned to face the red medic. "Our Liege is Soundwave's creator, since the sparkling's spark is still vulnerable, an easy bond is formed with them just by simply being in proximity of each other."
"Knockout don't you have some buffing to do?" Megatron glared at the chatty medic.
"No... yes, yes I do Master. Come'on Breakdown!" Knockout quickly got the hint, shoving his partner back into the med bay.
Megatron rolled his optics after the door to the laboratory shut. Turning back to speak to his scientist. "I am doing my best to present myself as more lenient towards Soundwave." He sighed staring down at his recharging sparkling. "But tell me Shockwave, is all this really going to make a difference in my son... most valued Decepticon." Megatron trailed off placing the empty bottle on the counter.
"It was the only advantage that Optimus Prime had, that I know of. Soundwave was able to successfully betray you without remorse." Shockwave replied going back to his studies.
Soundwave squirmed uncomfortably as waves of pain and confusion flushed through him.
"What is the matter?" Megatron asked abrasively.
"Hmm his transition is beginning to cycle." Shockwave scanned the slumbering sparkling.
"What should I do with him?" Megatron sighed watching his sparkling's pained expressions.
"Lay him in either your berth, or his own in his quarters. Soundwave will be a youngling once more very soon. As for you being more lenient, I would implore that you continue to once his transformation is completed." The purple mech suggested to his leader.
"As you wish Shockwave, but I will not be so lenient if Soundwave begins to defy my leadership." Megatron warned, exiting the laboratory.
Soundwave whimpered in pain in his father's arms. As Megatron strode down the hallway the shapeshifter rounded the corner.
"Stupid runt... Can't believe Shockwave wanted him back..." Makeshift grumbled as he got closer to the father and son.
"If you shared the same skills and talent as Soundwave, I am sure both Shockwave and I wouldn't have given Soundwave a second thought." Megatron retorted as the pitch black mech was about to pass by.
"What?" Makeshift nervously stopped next to his leader.
"But instead of proving yourself worthy, you stoop to Starscream's level. And gripe about what you could've been, while avoiding the trenches and difficult work, proving how much of a coward you truly are." Megatron's voice dripped with venom.
"I... uh... I will do better my lord..." Makeshift stuttered in shock.
Megatron sneered at the mech, before entering his quarters. "See that you do."
"Da..." Soundwave continued to squirm and whimper as he was placed carefully on the massive berth.
"Shhh sparkling... rest..." Megatron gently spoke to his sparkling.
After the long while of discomfort Soundwave finally nestled back into recharge.
Megatron sighed leaving his sparkling in his chambers alone. Surprisingly Shockwave was roaming the bridge at the same time the warlord entered.
"Shockwave what of..."
"Soundwave's memories?" Shockwave interrupted his leader. "Since I am just returning him back to his original youngling stage, with our spark bonds strongly attached to his vacant spark. He should have no recollection of his time on the Autobots team. In fact he may only have the memories of his sparkling hood, and specialty combat and functional training."
Megatron furrowed his optic ridges at the scientist. "If he doesn't have any other memories doesn't that mean he'll be younger than his original age, before this sparkling transformation?"
"No, he may be a cycle younger. But these transformations have sacrifices, wiping half his databanks in process. Hence why I am just sending him back into his original stage, instead of doing this transformation numerous times. I did not want to risk wiping his training from his databanks." Shockwave explained.
"I see..." Megatron nodded, staring out the observation windows in deep thought.
"Any further questions my Liege?" The purple one opticed mech asked before making his way to the door.
"No Shockwave that is all." Megatron replied.
Shockwave nodded leaving the bridge to check on the violet sparkling before he continued his scientific works. He poked his helm in the warlord's room, seeing the violet sparkling was beginning to transition successfully.
Megatron stood staring out the observation window for hours in deep thought. Thinking about how his time with Soundwave was spent before and when the war began. He began to realize that he had treated his own son extremely unfairly, taking him for granted he thought. Those moments in the war were difficult and stressful, he took it out on Soundwave for no good reason. Shockwave was right, every Decepticon knew Soundwave was his youngling. In the pit of his spark he felt deep remorse for viciously beating his son for calling him his father those many deca cycles ago. Megatron knew he made some devastating mistakes, he even regretted starting this war sometimes. His thoughts were since he started the war, he would also be the one to finish it.
Megatron spun himself around, leaving the bridge. He made his way back to his quarters, knowing almost every Cybertronian saw him as a monster, and rightfully so. But he was not sparkless, perhaps if he had one singular spark to open up to and care for, he could have some balance in his conquests to conquer the war. He did always mourn his loss of Xanthia and Soundwave, when the femme rightfully banished him from their lives. And for deca cycles after that he took Soundwave's presence for granted. No more he thought, he would not completely change his venomous demeanour, but become a little more lenient towards his only son. Walking into his room he could see that the tiny violet sparkling was now a youngling.
Soundwave began to shift awake from his transformational slumber. Pushing his upper torso off the berth with his arms, he felt weak and disoriented.
"Do not rush yourself youngling." Megatron told his waking son.
Soundwave placed a servo on his helm trying to reduce the disorientation. "What happened to me?"
"A virus, a glitch in your symptoms impaired you, sending you into stasis. Shockwave has purged it from you. You are now fully functional and operational." Megatron replied walking over to the berth.
Soundwave swung his legs over the side of the berth, sitting for a moment. "Where are we?"
"We're on the Nemesis, on a new found planet rich with energon. You remember the Nemesis?" Megatron tried to keep his answers uncomplicated.
"Yes." Soundwave nodded remembering the warship in his training. Thinking to himself that there were many duties he probably had to attend to. "I will return to my duties Sir." he got off the berth dizzily.
"Perhaps you should take a moment to recuperate?" The warlord suggested.
"I should be fine..." Soundwave replied walking out of the room.
Shockwave looked over his shoulder as the laboratory door swished open behind him. "Soundwave you're looking well."
Soundwave nodded. "Thank you Sir is there anything I can help with before I begin maintenance diagnostics on the warship?" secretly wishing he could avoid all contact with the scientist that caused him such agony.
"No, have you reported to Lord Megatron?" Shockwave turned around to face the young mech.
"Umm... sort of..." Soundwave shrugged, thinking he should've asked his father if he had any tasks for him to do first.
"Mhmm... are you doing alright youngling?" Shockwave cocked his helm.
"Yes Sir. Am I..." Soundwave was confused as to why he could feel a spark connection with Shockwave.
"Are you what youngling?" The purple mech could see Soundwave seemed to be almost confused.
"I should get to my duties." The violet mech walked back towards the door.
Shockwave knew Soundwave would come back to him later with questions.
"Hey was that Soundwave's distorted voice I heard?" Knockout entered the laboratory from the med bay.
Shockwave groaned. "I'm going to move my laboratory far away from the med bay..."
Soundwave strode down the hallway hoping he didn't offend his father for not asking if he needed assistance with something. To caught up in his thoughts to even notice the pitch black mech walking in his direction.
"Look at that, the freak sparkling is finally awake." Makeshift scoffed bumping his arm into Soundwave's as he passed by.
"Sparkling? I'm sorry I don't understand?" Soundwave raised an optic ridge at the mech.
Makeshift snorted spinning back towards Soundwave. "Sparkling's usually don't. Now get back to your work little one." he teased walking away.
Soundwave shook his helm continuing towards the bridge of the ship. Megatron walked out of the bridge just as Soundwave approached the door. "Sir, I apologize I did not ask you if you needed me to do an assignment for you. I sincerely apologize for being inconsiderate."
Megatron was taken aback by his youngling's apology. Wondering if his son actually feared him, he usually preferred his soldiers to fear him, but oddly enough he didn't want his own youngling to fear him. "I do not have any assignments for you at that moment Soundwave. But I am assuming you've already began the ship's maintenance diagnostics. Starscream has left a mess for you to clean up, I have made him pay for that. My biggest concern is keeping our cloaking functional. It is at the moment thanks to Shockwave, but I would like you to double check."
Soundwave nodded in understanding, making his way to the molecular masking field control panel. Materializing his visor on the young mech immediately began running routine scans, purging any glitches in the system, before moving onto the rest of the ship maintenance. During his maintenance his voice box would send waves of irritation and pain. Finishing his work Soundwave wondered the ship trying to clear the pain in his throat.
"The ship's running a lot smoother, Soundwave must've done the maintenance." Knockout thought aloud to Shockwave's irritation.
"Can you not have this pointless conversation with your partner?" Shockwave growled mixing cybernetic chemicals.
"Lord Megatron had Breakdown run an errand. I am stuck with you, and my patient, who's in stasis." Knockout scoffed rolling his optics as Soundwave entered the room. "Soundwave, nice to see you up, and working hard I bet."
Shockwave gave a sigh of relief, going back to his work, as the medic began chatting to the young mech.
Soundwave rolled his optics behind his visor. "Uh... yeah..."
Shockwave could hear the painful rasp in the young mech's voice, feeling the discomfort radiating in Soundwave's spark.
"I can feel the ship running smoother." Knockout continued to speak.
"Knockout go tend to your patient." Shockwave growled at the annoying medic.
Knockout grinned sheepishly, quickly exiting the laboratory.
"Is there something you need to tell me youngling?" Shockwave looked over his shoulder at the violet mech.
Soundwave shook his helm no, nervously gazing at the many horrific scientific tools and chemicals. "No... sir..."
"You're certain now?" Shockwave snorted.
Soundwave again shook his helm turning his gaze to the door.
"Come sit, I believe I can help you deal with that glitch of yours." The purple mech gestured for Soundwave to sit on the medical berth.
Soundwave's spark began to beat erratically with panic and fear. "I'm..." the violet mech tried to hide his pained coughs as he spoke. "I'm fine... really..."
Shockwave was confused by the flush of fear he received through their bond. "Why do you fear help youngling?"
Soundwave slowly backed his way towards the exit. He felt confused, frustrated, and scared. Why was Shockwave trying to help him, and why did he share a bond with the one who murdered his mother.
"Soundwave?" The scientist called as the young mech made a hasty exit.
Soundwave walked backwards making sure Shockwave wasn't following him out, spinning around straight into a gunmetal grey chest plate. "Sorry sir!" Soundwave stumbled back.
Megatron grabbed hold of the violet youngling's shoulders to steady him.
"Sorry!" Soundwave coughed quickly apologizing to his father.
"Stop!"
Soundwave winced as his father's grip on his shoulders tightened.
Megatron blinked his optics with a sigh, loosening his grip on his youngling. "Stop apologizing..." He knew he should've been the one apologizing to his youngling for all that he had done.
Soundwave stayed silent, feeling that was the safest response as his father turned his helm away.
"Did you see Shockwave about your glitch?" Megatron changed the subject, noticing his youngling trying to hide his pained coughing.
Soundwave took a deep raspy breath. "No sir..."
"Knockout?" Megatron asked narrowing his optics as the medic did not solve the issue if his son had seen him.
Soundwave shook his helm no looking over his shoulder to the laboratory door behind him.
"Hmm..." Megatron entered the laboratory guiding Soundwave in as he did so. "Shockwave!"
Shockwave quickly spun around to face his master. "Yes my Liege?"
"Soundwave..."
"Soundwave's vocals are flaring up, I was trying to tell him I could help, when he when he ran out of the lab." Shockwave glared at the violet young mech.
Soundwave rolled his optics behind his visor leaning towards the exit. Planning his escape route while his father conversed with Shockwave.
"Stand still..." Megatron hissed through his dental plates pulling Soundwave back in front of him. "Why did you run away from Shockwave's offer to help?"
"Why would I stay..." Soundwave muttered under his breath.
Shockwave mentally smirked as the violet young mech coughed. "Now that I have your full attention Soundwave, I can explain what I can do to help your glitch." Shockwave began to walk over to his chemistry cabinet.
Megatron nudged Soundwave to follow the scientist.
Soundwave reluctantly walked forward following the one opticed mech.
"Here Soundwave I know we've been managing your glitch with serums, to prevent flare ups and symptoms. But I believe an injection of concentrated serum mixed with a small dose of Tox-En and Dark Energon once every Earth month is will stop your glitch from hampering you." Shockwave explained approaching the young mech with an injector full of sizzling murky looking energon.
Soundwave gulped backing away into his father's frame.
"Now Shockwave is that deadly concoction really suitable for curing a sensitive glitch?" Megatron even began to question the deadly concoction.
"If they were a normale Cybertronian I wouldn't even bother with such a mix..."
"Normal Cybertronian or not, I disagree with your deadly concoction." Megatron said moving Soundwave next to him.
"Lord Megatron Soundwave already has Tox-En and Dark Energon flowing through his veins, it won't do him any harm." Shockwave tried to make his solution appealing.
"Why both of them together though?" Megatron raised an optic ridge.
"Both of them together is a deadly combination as you said. But mixed with a healing property serum it creates a longer lasting antidote for Soundwave's glitch." The scientist hoped his explanation was convincing the warlord it was safe. "But it is safer to inject then drink as it may cause irritation before it's healing properties kick in."
"I understand now, proceed." Megatron nodded turning his attention to his unconvinced youngling.
Soundwave backed up for every step Shockwave took towards him. "It will be quick youngling, please." Shockwave sighed backing Soundwave further.
Megatron rolled his optics using his massive servo to grab hold of his son's arm. "Soundwave, did I tell you that one of the monitors in the bridge has gone offline?"
Soundwave looked up at his father shaking his helm. "I must've... missed... that..."
"Yes I believe one of the troopers were trying to repair it, but I know you are much more capable then they are." Megatron gestured with his optics for Shockwave to inject Soundwave while he was distracted.
Soundwave jumped into Megatron's side as he was injected by the acidic liquid.
"Now you may feel a small burning sensation through your frame, if that continues longer then two days come back and I will reverse it." Shockwave casually explained walking back to his science equipment.
"There's no broken monitor is there?" The violet mech glared at the scientist.
"No, but you're not coughing anymore." Megatron shook his helm with a smirk.
Soundwave pouted behind his mask. "Can't believe I fell for that..."
"I know you're usually not so easily distracted, but the advantage of that is. You're a youngling and a workaholic, I know how to catch your mind." Megatron chuckled dryly at his youngling's pouted.
"But I'm not a youngling..." Soundwave blinked in surprise as both Shockwave and Megatron chuckled at his words.
"You can try to deny Soundwave, but we know the truth." Megatron snorted.
"You're in one of the last stages of younglinghood. Two more cycles, then we will gladly grant the title of mech to you." Shockwave teased the violet young mech.
"Thanks for your help..." Soundwave rolled his optics, leaving the laboratory.
Megatron followed his youngling out, thinking to himself about how entertaining it was to be genuine and humorous with his own son. "You'll always be my youngling, no matter what."
Soundwave gave a small smile under his mask. It was nice to have his father care about him and show compassion, but for some reason he felt it was all too good to be true. Where was the Megatron and Shockwave who tortured and killed younglings with no remorse?
"Sir?"
"Yes Soundwave?" Megatron replied entering his quarters with his youngling.
"Permission to speak freely?" Soundwave almost struggled to ask the question.
"In my presence only, always." Megatron responded sitting himself in one of the large chairs.
"Why do I share a spark bond with Shockwave, why are you and Shockwave being so compliant with me?" The violet youngling nervously asked bracing himself for the storm of rage Megatron would bring.
"Shockwave's science found that having a bond with his projects gave him more successful results. That is why you two share a bond." Megatron glanced at the stack of data pads on his desk next to him. "As for us being more hospitable with you, I personally have realized how I have treated you in the past was wrong, and unacceptable. I am trying to treat you with the proper respect and care, like I did with your mother deca cycles ago. I'm not perfect I will have my moments, but I am doing my utmost to try." The gunmetal grey mech stood up from his chair, approaching his youngling.
Soundwave was unsure of how to react to his father's words, they seemed quite sincere.
Megatron placed a gentle servo on Soundwave's shoulder. "You're the only one I trust out of the murderous morons I lead. Not even Shockwave has my full trust. I respect your trust and loyal devotion, you're also my youngling and I need to treat you as such."
Soundwave looked to the floor, he could remember the bits and pieces of being with his father as a sparkling. But the rest was foggy, he remembered living with his mother mainly, then with his Uncle until he was a young youngling. The only other thing he remembered was Mirage being sparked, and then being abducted by Shockwave, and inducted into his torturous training facility.
"I ruined my chance to watch you grow into the youngling you are today, I do not intend on doing that again." Megatron promised.
Soundwave nodded in understanding, although in the back of his mind he didn't fully believe his father's words. "I'll get back to my work sir..."
"Very well." Megatron released his youngling, watching him exit his room. The warlord chuckled evilly to himself. "Optimus you're mind control games are being turned against you now, you stole him from me too many times before brother. I do not intend on losing him to you again, not this time."
Soundwave aimlessly wondered around the halls for hours. Everything he had repaired and maintained was running flawlessly, there was no more work to be done. "Maybe I can ask him if there's any assignments I can look into?" he thought to himself as he was about to pass by his father's door for the twentieth time. "Er... maybe I should wait until later..." the violet mech realized it was very late he shouldn't disturb his father while he recharged.
Walking further down the corridor a thought popped into his mind as he approached the med bay. "Hey he never explained why Shockwave was being oddly fair."
"Knockout honestly I am fine!" Starscream hissed at the medic, as Soundwave entered.
"Give it one more night Starscream, then you can be free tomorrow morning alright?" Knockout groaned putting his scanners away.
"Oh goodie the Decepticon snitch is functional once more. Primus I was getting ready to put myself back into stasis with all that coughing you were doing!" Starscream sneered at the masked young mech.
"Why don't you do us all a favour and do that, so we don't have to hear your whining." Soundwave sarcastically grumbled walking to the laboratory door.
"Woah." Knockout laughed at the youngling's reply.
"I see Megatron lifted your vow of silence hmm?" Starscream retorted as Shockwave opened the door before Soundwave could.
"Come Soundwave, sarcasm is beneath you, like Starscream's personality." Shockwave lead the youngling into his lab.
"Hey!" Starscream whined as the lab door shut.
"You're boiling with questions I can tell, what is it?" Shockwave said walking across the room.
Soundwave stood silently for a moment to collect his thoughts on how to approach the subject of Shockwave's behaviour.
"Don't be so quiet youngling. I can do a cortical psychic patch and find out what you're thinking." Shockwave threatened the violet young mech.
"Why are you being so fucking nice!?"
"Straightforward..." Shockwave snorted turning to look at the youngling. "I don't feel I have changed though youngling."
"What the hell are you talking about!? You murdered my mother right in front of me and my brother, abducted us, and tortured us in your sick super soldier project!" Soundwave growled walking towards the scientist. "I don't even know where my brother is! And yet here you are acting like none of that happened, trying to gain my trust!" The violet mech jabbed the purple mech in the chest with his slender digit.
"I'm not not denying that Soundwave, I'm just here to help you when I can..." Shockwave would have rolled his optic if he could've.
"You're lying! All you do is cut me open and torture me. I'm nothing but an experiment to you. This act of yours is fake!" Soundwave shoved Shockwave pinning him against the wall. "If my father didn't value you so much, I would kill you..."
"You would be nothing without me Soundwave. If it weren't for my science you would've been nothing youngling! You would've been dead on the war torn streets of Cybertron!" Shockwave countered back at the furious youngling.
"You wouldn't have known that! If you weren't hunting my mother down to murder her, she probably would've joined my Uncle with the Autobots. Sometimes I think I should've joined my brother when the Autobots took him in!" Soundwave threw the one opticed mech to the floor.
"What's stopping you?" Shockwave scoffed pushing himself off the floor.
"I pledged my allegiance to my father. I trust no one, I keep to myself, and spy on everyone. I am a Decepticon, and I intend to keep myself that way." Soundwave hissed storming out of the laboratory through the med bay.
"Everything alright in here?" Knockout asked sticking his helm into the laboratory, seeing the scientist picking himself up.
"Incredibly hostile, and loyal. Good luck breaking him this time Prime..." Shockwave thought aloud.
Weeks of Decepticon activity went by Soundwave had decided to take his own vow of silence, to avoid triggering his glitch, and Shockwave and his toxic concoction. Soundwave would only speak if if his father demanded it. He had organized, and retrieved most of his father's interested targets. Seeing the Autobots only for a moment each time as his organized attacks were quick, and precise.
Megatron seemed to be becoming obsessed with Dark Energon ever since Soundwave found the Covenant Of Primus literature in the Iacon raid records. Reminding the warlord of the prophecy. Starscream had abandoned the Decepticons, and had been replaced by a rouge femme called Airachnid. Soundwave hated her conniving personality, it was like having a female Starscream around. The young mech wished his father would've at least put Shockwave as his second in command.
Soundwave stood next to Knockout, watching Megatron stare blankly at the observation window. Secretly Soundwave wished he could prove to his father that he had potential to lead as second in command.
"I did not seek out the blood of Unicron, just to simply keep my spark a flame. But to rule undead armies and conquer worlds, and to accomplish that. I need more than this mere sliver which lies within me."
Soundwave rolled his optics behind his visor, seeing the fancy medic was checking over himself for cosmetic flaws, rather than listening to his father's words.
"So, where is my Dark Energon?!" Megatron snarled spinning around to face the two.
Knockout nervously grinned but confidently responded. "Out there, Lord Megatron Just waiting for you to reach out and pluck it."
Megatron's glare was completely unamused with the medic's excuse.
"But you shouldn't push yourself so hard. You've had set backs. You were in stasis..." Knockout's sentence was cut short as Megatron grabbed him.
"Precisely why I must make up for lost time! I can see the future, vividly. But I must ensure it's outcome, for I am the rising darkness of which the prophecy speaks!" Megatron said exuberantly as he released Knockout.
Soundwave looked over his shoulder to see Airachnid entering the main deck.
"What is the progress on my space bridge?" The warlord turned back to the large observation screen as Soundwave pulled up the bridge blueprints.
"The Decepticon space bridge 2.0, is nearly ready to launch. All we require is..." Knockout was once again cut off as the sound of Soundwave's visor activating caught everyone's attention.
Soundwave displayed an ample power source to the medic's annoyance.
"What Soundwave said... an ample power source." Knockout rolled his optics gesturing to the violet youngling.
Airachnid tapped at the console keys displaying coordinates to such power source. "This one lies within a highly fortified location, by human standards. I could tunnel in."
"The time of prophecy is nearly upon us!" Megatron shouted, causing Airachnid to back away and exchange unsure glances with Knockout. "We can no longer afford stealth."
"Soundwave, I want you to run the infiltration team, go quickly. The Autobots will no doubt be ready for this raid." Megatron turned to his violet youngling.
Soundwave nodded just as Airachnid began to complain.
"Why send a youngling, when you could have one of your more experienced soldiers, like your second in command run and complete the mission?" Airachnid commented only irritating Megatron further.
"I care not for your ego! Soundwave go, take some Eradicon troopers with you!" Megatron hissed pointing to the door.
Soundwave gladly left the tension filled room, he sent a text message to a squad of troopers. Waiting for them to meet him on the flight deck. From there he took the coordinates and created a ground bridge.
They arrived at the fortified human base, immediately taking fire from the pathetic human grade weapons. Soundwave turned to the tiny building that held the ample power source, and fired at it, creating a decent sized hole in the building. He pointed for the soldier's to infiltrate and retrieve the part, the troopers complied quickly storming the building. While Soundwave stayed outside with two troopers taking on the spray of bullets. Human weapons of such little standards did nothing to a Cybertronian's shields, but it wasn't the humans Soundwave was focused on. He had picked up a nearby radio signal, honing in on the comlink communication. He played the transmission through his speakers so the Eradicons could hear.
"Our boys in green will fend them off until you get here." Soundwave recognized the voice to be of the human ambassador that worked with the Autobots.
"Agent Fowler, I fear Megatron's desperation may be at its zenith, and you know that I cannot condone even a single human casualty." The deep baritone voice belonging to his Uncle.
"Fowler here. Evacuate all personnel immediately."
The transmission ended, Soundwave watched as the humans hiding in cover began to retreat.
"Hurry it up the Autobots are on their way!" One of the Eradicon's called to the others in the building.
The infiltration team quickly came out of the building carrying the power source. As they were running across the smoking battlefield, a ground bridge appeared with three Autobots charging through.
They began to take on fire from the Autobots, but Soundwave had already called for flyers to give them some support. Soundwave sent a message to the warship, saying that the package was secured, but the Autobots had arrived.
"Aaah! Prepare the warship for rendezvous. The package will be ready for pickup!" Megatron ordered Knockout and Airachnid as he stormed out of the ship.
Mirage drove down the lone dusty road, silently doing his patrol route, hoping to maybe find Soundwave along the way.
"Mirage, the team may require backup. They are three clicks north from your current position just off the highway." Ratchet announced to the youngling over the comlink.
"On my way Ratchet." Mirage replied, accelerating his speed.
Flying just in the clouds above, Megatron caught sight of the familiar youngling. "Well, well. A foolish assassin strays from the ranks." Megatron veered off his course down to the red Ferrari below.
"Shit!" Mirage cursed trying to evade the fusion canon shots, from the warlord's alien jet mode.
Megatron laughed as he landed a good shot on the youngling, spinning out the Ferrari. "If I didn't have more important matters to tend to, I would kill you." He hissed flying off towards the battle scene.
"Useless..." Soundwave shook his helm as every Eradicon soldier fell due to the Autobots.
Soundwave barely had time to react as an Autobot came through the thick cloud of black smoke, tackling him to the ground. He grabbed the smaller frame as they tumbled, tossing the Autobot off of him as he rolled across the ground. He scrambled to his peds locking his sights on the cobalt blue femme.
Arcee softened her gaze for a moment, before quickly reminding herself that Soundwave was no longer an Autobot. And he had to be treated as a deadly Decepticon.
Before they could engage in battle, the familiar sound of Megatron's jet mode filled everyone's audio receptors.
Megatron landed across from Optimus and Ironhide. "Optimus!"
"Megatron, do you not see the folly in trying to force a prophecy to fruition?" Optimus glared at his brother across from him.
"Why leave matters to fate. If one can forge one's own destiny?" Megatron countered with a smirk. "Ah, speaking of fate. It's unfortunate you didn't meet yours." Megatron gestured to the red youngling weakly walking up behind the Autobots.
Mirage furrowed his optic ridges as Arcee rushed to his side to steady him. "Don't undermine fate so loosely, you'll be meeting yours soon enough!"
Megatron chuckled sinisterly as Soundwave joined him by his side. "Seems fate is in my favour." he gestured to his youngling.
Optimus gave a devastated look, seeing his apprentice willingly standing by evils side. "Ratchet we need a ground bridge now!" He turned to face his weak youngling. "Arcee tend to Mirage." Optimus ordered the femme to take the red youngling through the bridge behind them.
Soundwave had dropped a locator beacon for the warship to pick up him and his father with the power source.
Ironhide and Optimus both aimed their weapons at the father and son, who did not seem threatened at all by their aimed weapons.
The hum of the warship caught their attention as the drop lift lowered over Soundwave and Megatron.
Megatron glared back at where the Autobots were, seeing nothing but a closing ground bridge.
As the lift began to pull them up, Soundwave looked around unconvinced the Autobots retreated so easily.
"Don't fret Soundwave, we've got what we need." Megatron placed a servo on is youngling's shoulder.