The Quiet One’s

by BeeSamusnChief

Soundwave, and Mirage, super soldiers, created from Shockwave’s science, vow to protect the newly rejuvinated Cybertron, from Decepticon fugitives. Soundwave finds himself in an alternate dimension, when Shockwave’s revenge, steals his life from him.

5. Determined Discrimination

Four stellar cycles had passed by, Cybertron was now nearly fully rebuilt, and bustling with life. Both Shockwave, and Flamewar had gone dark, showing no signs of their activity over the course of the passing stellar cycles, many were beginning to believe they deserted Cybertron.

Soundwave sat in his office on one of the top floors in the Iacon High Council edifice, listening for transmissions coming from returning citizens in deep space. Many bots were still returning from fleeing the war, many of them now being Decepticons that had surrendered easily, wanting to return to living a normal life with little conflict.

"Soundwave, if you're not busy trying to hunt distant transmissions, we're having a council meeting in three breems. Ultra Magnus expects you to be the first in the council chamber. So I'd start making my way there if I were you." Red Alert's voice came over Soundwave's intercom.

Soundwave groaned in irritation, before replying to council member Red Alert. "On my way now." He sighed getting up from his seat, which Lazerbeak tweeted leaping off his perch that sat in the corner Ravage recharged in. "Can't wait to stand there and do nothing, while Ultra Magnus goes on about potential threats from ex Decepticons..." the violet mech grumbled as Lazerbeak reconnected to him.

Ravage lifted his helm from where he lay in the corner of the office, watching as his master grumbled his way to the door.

"Ravage, return." Soundwave stopped before exiting his office, calling his cyber feline to return to him. "Don't need you terrifying another maintenance minicon." He sighed as the feline reconnected to him.

Descending the stairs to the main floor of the High Council edifice. Stepping off the last step Soundwave caught sight of his sparkmate, and Prowl conversing with an Elite Guard member. "Arcee?"

"Hey Soundwave, I was hoping to catch you before I left." Arcee smiled at her approaching sparkmate.

"What's going on?" Soundwave asked stopping next to his femme.

"We're just here to gain assistance on a possible Decepticon threat." Arcee responded, to which her sparkmate cocked an optic ridge at the Elite Guard.

"What sort of assistance?" Soundwave asked curiously, which made the Elite Guard member hesitant to reply.

"There's been a bit of a crime spree in Tarn, there's been a series of vandalism but we can't seem to catch a trace of who, or what's causing it." Prowl spoke seeing as the grey and red elite guard was hesitating to answer. "We have suspicions that it could be Decepticons, but there's no evidence behind it, so we're looking into any bots that look suspicious."

"Some of that vandalism has begun to slip into Iacon, the elite guard is hoping to join forces with the Cybertronian Police Force, so we can prevent possible Decepticon terrorism from breaking out." Streetwise finally spoke, as he got a call on his comlink. "Excuse me." The elite guard soldier excused himself from the three.

Soundwave furrowed his optic ridges as he watched Streetwise walk over to Ultra Magnus.

"Arcee, you can't seriously be considering joining forces?" Soundwave spoke softly, as most of the building was filled with elite guard members guarding the High Council building.

Arcee tilted her helm in confusion at her sparkmate. "Yes, we could use the extra troops, why?"

"Because the elite guard is run by Ultra Magnus, and he specifically trains his soldiers to profile ex Decepticons, even ones who have willingly surrendered, and fought for the Autobots." Soundwave complained, clearly upset by this arrangement.

"Now Soundwave, I believe that to be an untrue rumour, the guard just seems harsh because they're an elite trained group of soldiers, that deal with terrorists." Prowl said to the upset young mech.

"Do you know how many wrongful arrests I've seen happen here, just because a former Decepticon set foot on the front steps, to put in a complaint about harassment they get from the elite guard?" Soundwave retorted to the Chief Of Tarn Police Force. "They barely let me come through the doors, and I'm employed here!" The violet mech hissed, looking over his shoulder, to see the two Elite Guard members conversing with each other, while glaring at the glowing young mech. The grey and red mech listening intently to Ultra Magnus, who pointed him to the staircase Soundwave came down. With a nod Streetwise ascended the staircase, while Ultra Magnus entered the Council Chamber.

"Scrap..." Soundwave cursed knowing he was now late to the meeting.

"Soundwave, I know you don't feel that the elite guard is justified, but We need to join with them to prevent this vandalism from turning into terrorism, and the terrorism from turning into a war outbreak." Arcee explained to her reluctant mech. "I'm not totally thrilled about asking for assistance from the Elite Guard, as they are too heavy with their egos. But something needs to be done."

"It'll all be fine kid, don't work yourself up too much, remember who you're working for." Prowl told the argumentative young mech.

"Uh, sure Prowl, I'll try to remember that." Soundwave cringed when he saw the door to the council chamber shut. "I'm late for the High Council meeting, I will talk to you later, okay?" Soundwave cupped a slender servo on his femme's shoulder.

"Okay, don't work too hard." Arcee sighed with a small smile, watching her mech jog off towards the guarded door.

"We should get going Arcee." Prowl gestured for the femme to follow.

Soundwave watched as his sparkmate left with her fellow officer, while continuing towards the guarded chamber entrance.

"Whoa, kid, doors closed, no entry." One of the elite guard soldiers held up a servo, pushing Soundwave back.

Soundwave rolled his optics at being called a kid, although he was the youngest bot working in the building, he still preferred to be called by his name. "I'm part of that meeting, I'm a few nano clicks late."

"Well, Ultra Magnus has strictly advised us to deny access to any who are not punctual to a council meeting." The guard sternly told the young mech.

[That sounds about right.] Soundwave thought to himself, he was usually extremely punctual, but he admitted to himself that he got distracted from his task. "Okay that's valid, but I am the stenographer, I collect data for the records."

"Pfft, okay there spymaster, you're just going to have to wait for the meeting to be over." The other guard scoffed.

Soundwave was about to argue further when both guards turned hearing a commotion behind the closed door. The door opened up to reveal Ratchet waving off the other annoyed council members.

"Soundwave, there you are, come'on you're late." Ratchet waved the young mech over.

Both elite guards rolled their optics, stepping away from the door they blocked, allowing the glowing young mech to walk into the chamber.

Soundwave was followed by the two guards, who shut the door behind Soundwave, now standing guard from the inside of the chamber. While Ratchet guided Soundwave to the stenographer podium that sat in one the corners, behind the council member podiums.

Ultra Magnus glared angrily at Soundwave, as the young mech passed by him, looking guilty for being tardy to the meeting.

"Alright, now that Soundwave's here, let us continue." Ratchet said, after getting back to his podium.

"To continue our prior conversation, to our late interruption." Magnus finally took his glare off of Soundwave. "The increasing Decepticon vandalism in Tarn, is at risk of becoming terrorism. So I am advising my elite guards to aid the Iacon police force."

[Decepticon, Prowl said they had no leads on whether it was Decepticon or Autobot...] Soundwave thought to himself, recording the meeting, as Ultra Magnus spoke of the alliance Arcee spoke of.

A massive aerial bot shook his helm at Ultra Magnus. "Decepticons? If I remember correctly, the commanding officer at Tarn's enforcement station, said they had no evidence of who was causing the vandalism?" Skyfire mentioned, making the blue and red mech scowl.

"That is why deploying the elite guard alongside the Cybertronian police, will weed out the vandals..."

"Tarn is Shockwave's domain, if I remember correctly, it could very possibly be him. Perhaps he's begun to raise a rebellion?" Preceptor thought aloud.

[Rebellion against what, the peace, and freedom we have? To start a vendetta against the Autobots for restoring Cybertron?] Soundwave continued to record the meeting, while actively sending the files of it to the Iacon Hall Of Records.

"Shockwave isn't one to conduct random acts of violence, without it being well thought out, and organized for a greater purpose." Ratchet mentioned to the skeptical council. "We haven't seen, or heard from Shockwave, or his colleague, for four stellar cycles. It might very well be his minions emerging, but nothing is certain without proof."

"I remain extremely skeptical." Magnus scoffed.

"Very well, Ultra Magnus will carry out his plans to unite his forces with the police." Red Alert said scanning the room. "Are there anymore comments before this meeting is adjourned?"

"I have some comments..." Soundwave announced taking a step forward, regretting speaking the moment words escaped his voice box..

Ratchet smiled at the young mech behind him. "Go ahead Soundwa..."

"Soundwave, you are not a formal member of the council, you don't get a say in this, stenographer." Ultra Magnus sharply told the young mech, reminding Soundwave what his job was.

Soundwave blinked, stunned at the Commander's instant shut down on him saying anything.

"I do have something to add." Skyfire mentioned.

"Go on Skyfire, we're listening." Red Alert replied.

"What of the space bridge situation, are we going to put our efforts into bringing more online?" The massive white and red mech inquired to the other council members.

"No, I am shutting down our currently active space bridge, as we do not need new Decepticons entering Cybertron, to join the current gang of vandals." Ultra Magnus replied, to Soundwave's disliking.

"But what about the other Cybertronian colonies, we're just going to shut them out because of a small amount of vandalism on Cybertron?" Soundwave thought aloud, stepping out from his podium.

Ratchet, Preceptor, and Red Alert all nodded in agreement with the violet young mech, even Skyfire agreed with Soundwave. While Ultra Magnus scowled in disgust at the young mech.

"Shutting down the space bridge prevents rebellion, and their weapons from entering, it also prevents diseases from accessing our current citizens, such as Cosmic Rust." Ultra Magnus sternly explained to the young mech.

"While all of that is true, the space bridge security has been raised over time, no one has entered Cybertron without a check over. And diseases can be created on this very planet, we're not immune just because we shut down universal travel. To close off the other colonies, is to lose possible outside military support, if an invasion occurs, and vice versa." Soundwave argued against the Commander's points, which the others seemed to agree with him.

"That is very true youngling, now that we are mostly rebuilt since the restoration, we should be in better contact with the outside colonies." Ratchet agreed with Soundwave.

"No! We're shutting down the bridge until the vandals are caught, and the rumours of a rising Decepticon rebellion, is proven to be just a theory." Ultra Magnus firmly told the council members, who reluctantly agreed with him. "If you say anything further, you will be forcefully removed from this chamber." Magnus threatened the argumentative young mech.

Soundwave continued to disagree with the Commander. "B-ut that c-c-could take stellar cycles, we shouldn't shut out other colonies and possible returning c-c-citizens..." the violet mech painfully spoke through his glitching voice box.

"Perhaps we should consider Soundwave..."

"SILENCE!" Ultra Magnus ordered, slamming the hilt of his war hammer into the floor. "Soundwave, you are dismissed from this meeting!" He gestured for his guards to escort Soundwave out of the room.

Soundwave shook off the forceful servos trying to escort him out the door.

"Now that's unnecessary, Ultra Magnus, I think we should make a compromise." Ratchet said as Soundwave was thrown out the door.

Soundwave stumbled as he was shoved out the door, the two guards shut the door with a laugh, as the young mech glared at them.

"You'll be lucky if you're allowed in the next meeting, data clerk." One of the guards scoffed to the young mech.

"Why don't you take that vow of silence again, keep yourself out of trouble." The other mech retorted to the violet mech.

Soundwave let the immature mechs make rude comments, storming back up to his office, passing Streetwise on the up, on his way to his office Soundwave saw that his door was left open.

[unsurprising...] The violet mech thought to himself as he entered his neatly organized office, that had only a few data pads out of place. Releasing his two minicon's, Lazerbeak returned to his perch, while Ravage curiously sniffed the desk where the scent of a trespasser was strongest.

"W-w-what... were you hoping to find s-s-Streetwise... I collect data for the High Council. I don't run a secret d-d-Decepticon... empire, like Ultra Magnus thinks I do." Soundwave grumbled to himself, reorganizing the scattered data pads on his desk.

"You haven't been taking care of your voice box have you?" Mirage snorted, closing the window he climbed through.

"Don't start with me M-m-m-Mirage..." The violet mech hissed, getting up from his desk. "Why do you always climb through the w-w-window?" Soundwave sighed going over to his younger brother.

"Pfft, you know the Elite Guard won't let me through the doors unless I'm with Arcee." Mirage scoffed, giving Ravage a pat.

"Exactly!" Soundwave exclaimed triggering a flareup in his glitching voice box.

"Hey chill out, sit your aft down." Mirage guided his coughing brother to his chair. "What are you getting so worked up about?"

Soundwave coughed harshly, attempting to clear the painful shocking static from his throat. Taking a moment to recover from the glitch, allowing his vents to cycle. "I-I-I... just got kicked out of a High Council meeting." The violet mech vented heavily as he fought to regain his vocals.

Mirage was astonished by his brother's statement. "You what, how the hell did you manage that, you're the stenographer?"

"Stenographer, not by choice." Soundwave rolled his optics. "I got kicked out for disagreeing with Ultra Magnus."

"I know you aren't by choice Wave, I think the vote for High Councillors was unfair to you. But at least you're in the building." Mirage sighed sympathetically.

"Well, I wasn't exactly a prime candidate for Councillor." Soundwave replied with a shrug, remembering the day of the High Council vote. "I had no standings with anyone, I'm uncharismatic, no bot wants to vote in a bot that hasn't done anything outstanding for the public, or the Autobots during the war."

"You restored our home world, you were Optimus Prime's apprentice, you defeated Megatron, and Unicron!" Mirage listed off all the outstanding achievements Soundwave had accomplished.

"That's really flattering Mirage, really." Soundwave dryly chuckled. "But most Cybertronians think that all my accomplishments are a myth, and that all I'm good for is spying, and being creepy. And for the restoration of Cybertron, everyone thinks Optimus Prime restored our home, and saved it from Unicron, which is true, and fine by me."

"You've also gone to incredible lengths to keep peace between all Cybertronians." The red youngling mentioned with a smile.

"That peace won't last for long, if Ultra Magnus keeps making bad choices, pushing his stupid Elite Guard in everyone's face." Soundwave grumbled, hearing someone approaching his door. "Speaking of Ultra Magnus, I'm sure he's about to scold me for my insubordination..."

Mirage quickly cloaked himself as the office door swished open, revealing the red and white medic.

"Oh, it's just Ratchet, cool." Mirage revealed himself to the ancient medic.

"Mirage, what are you doing in here, you know you need a chaperone if you're in here." Ratchet sighed sitting in the chair in front of Soundwave's desk.

Mirage rolled his optics with a smirk. "I'm my own chaperone, why can't I be in the building?"

"You know Ultra Magnus is against bounty hunters on Cybertron. Personally I think bounty hunters are great, especially with assisting the police force." Ratchet explained to the young assassin.

"I'm not a bounty hunter, I'm just an innocent young mech, that occasionally hunts down criminals, and bring them to justice." Mirage sarcastically said, making Ratchet chuckle.

"Alright Mirage, that's enough." The medic sighed, turning his attention to the violet young mech. "Primus, I knew you were stubborn kid, but you sure dug in your heels."

"What Ultra Magnus is suggesting, is absurd Ratchet." Soundwave told the old medic.

"Magnus, is just trying to play it safe Soundwave." Ratchet explained to the frustrated young mech.

"For himself maybe..." Soundwave snorted, gazing out the windows.

"I know Ultra Magnus is altering a lot of what you had set up, prior to both his and the High Council's return. But now that Cybertron is bustling with life again, he's taking a bit more action in its functions." Ratchet said.

"I had a fair choice system set up, and now that Ultra m-m-Magnus... is a sworn in Councillor, he's swooping in with his elite g-g-guard... to enforce order upon Cybertron. He's just enforcing a hidden caste system on us!" Soundwave scoffed jumping out of his seat.

"I don't believe that's what's happening youngling. That is why I got Ultra Magnus to agree to a compromise." Ratchet could see that Soundwave was very passionate about keeping order without forcefully doing so. "We shut down the space bridge temporarily, and allowed a small portion of his forces to aid the police. While keeping open communication with the other colonies."

The violet mech sighed deeply, it was a fair enough compromise for now, but they could be doing more. "F-f-fine... but I-I-I'm... still skeptical of his ways." The young mech walked over to the large windows surrounding his office.

"If you're that skeptical, and you believe that you can lead Cybertron into a new golden age, then prove yourself." The ancient medic challenged the glowing young mech. "Prove that you're worthy of being voted in..."

"V-v-voted... in, please, am I even allowed back in the chamber?" Soundwave retorted staring down into the city below.

"I'm not talking about the High Council, I'm talking about being the next one to rule Cybertron." Ratchet joined Soundwave by the window.

"I-I-I'm... not following?" The young mech was confused by the CMO's words.

"I want you to prove to Cybertron, that you are worthy." The red and white mech put an arm around Soundwave's shoulders. "Worthy of having the title of Prime bestowed on you." He gestured to the Optimus Prime memorial in the middle of the city.

Soundwave stared longingly at the memorial statue of his creator, wondering if it was truly time for him to stop being modest, and show his natural ability to lead, prove himself as Prime candidate. "If I couldn't get any votes for the High Council p-p-position, what makes you think I will be named the next Prime by the High Council?"

"Because you already have my vote, you just need to gain four more, along with capturing the sparks of all Cybertronians." The medic replied giving Soundwave a pat on the back. "You need to take care of yourself first though, I'm not even going ask about the upkeep on your voice box. Because I know it's awful. I better see you in my office when you're done your shift." Ratchet scolded the young mech for not keeping up his glitch's maintenance, before exiting the young mech's office.

"Bro, you need to stop being so fragging negative." Mirage retorted approaching his brother.

Soundwave rolled his optics with a groan. "It's hard not to b-b-be... when I'm gasping just to cycle my vents, under Ultra Magnus's war hammer."

"Frag that guy, you're a Prime apprentice, start showing that, announce that you were, it will at least gain the High Councils attention." Mirage replied, opening the window, climbing onto the outside.

"I'll con-sid-er it..." Soundwave coughed harshly as an abundance of burning static threw him into another flareup.

"You gotta see Ratchet, you're going to lose your voice box, I'll meet you down at the bottom." Mirage said worried for his brother's unsalvageable voice box.

Soundwave nodded, continuing to cough, as his brother cloaked himself before descending the building.

Ravage crooned worriedly to Lazerbeak, as their master began to cough up energon. Lazerbeak twittered for Ravage to retrieve the medic, the feline obliged sprinting towards the door.

"Ravage!" Soundwave coughed, halting his minicon in his tracks. "I'm... f-kzzk-fine." Soundwave's voice began to completely fail. "Rav-kzzk-age, Lazer-kzzzk-beak... re-turn..."

Both minicons reluctantly transformed, connecting to their master, before Soundwave made his way down the flight of stairs.

"Soundwave." Ultra Magnus called out, halting the young mech that was quickly making his way through the lobby.

Soundwave's vents cooling fans whirred wildly as he halted for the massive mech, trying his best not to focus on the burning pain in his throat. "Y-kzzk-yes... Sir?"

"We have temporarily closed the space bridge, anyone seen using it is to be arrested, and brought in for questioning. And since you have the ability to create Space bridge portals, that goes double for you." Ultra Magnus sternly spoke to the struggling mech.

"Under-st-kzzk-ood..." Soundwave nodded, before quickly exiting the building, meeting up with his brother.

"Let's just ground bridge to the medical facility, I'll message Arcee about what's going on." Mirage said as Soundwave created a bridge for them.

(Nothing is going on Mirage, I'm fine.)

Mirage cocked an optic ridge at the violet mech as they entered the clinic. "Is that why you're texting me, and not speaking?"

(I can still speak, it's just really painful.) Soundwave texted, getting an optic roll from his brother.

"Hi, Mirage, Soundwave. Ratchet said you might be coming." Bumblebee greeted his brothers that entered Ratchet's office.

"Glad you actually came, I wasn't expecting you to arrive so quickly." Ratchet greeted the two mutant brothers.

"Well, he's in a lot of unbearable pain. So he's decided to follow up on your offer right away." Mirage sarcastically replied, getting a smack from Soundwave.

"Well then let's not waste anymore time, and see what I can do to soothe that pain." Ratchet gestured for Soundwave to sit on a medical berth.

"We'll leave you to it then." Mirage said, exiting the room with Bumblebee. "Hey did you want to come with me to see Arcee?" The red youngling asked the scout.

"Sure, I was done my shift anyway." Bumblebee shrugged following his brother into the busy streets. "Is Soundwave going to be alright?"

Mirage didn't quite know the answer to that question, as it had been quite a while since he saw Soundwave's voice box glitching so badly, that it was too painful for him to speak. "Soundwave will be fine, but I don't think his voice box will be."

"Oh, why?" Bumblebee asked with concern, as they walked up to the enforcement station entrance, that was guarded by two elite guards.

"Huh, that's interesting..." Mirage thought aloud as they entered the station.

"Mirage?" Bumblebee called regaining his brother's attention.

"Because I haven't seen Soundwave in that much pain, in a long time, to the point where he can't speak." The red youngling replied to his younger brother.

"What's this about Soundwave being in pain?" Arcee asked coming up from behind.

"He's with Ratchet, getting his voice box repaired." Mirage replied, pivoting to face the femme.

"What happened?" Arcee asked, knowing over the last few stellar cycles, her mech had been less inclined to take care of himself, during his work.

"I don't know, his voice box glitched badly, he couldn't speak, Ratchet's working on it?" Mirage shrugged not knowing what to really say.

"Dammit, I knew he wasn't going to take care of himself..." Arcee sighed, leading the younglings out of the station.

Bumblebee shook his helm no, he knew Soundwave was trying his best to keep up on his voice box maintenance. "But Wave has Cee, or he's tried. I know Wave tries his best to take that serum, every morning. But he sometimes doesn't have time to put it in energon, and just takes it straight."

Arcee sighed with a small smile, knowing Bumblebee woke up every morning with her mech. "You're right Bee, I was wrong to say that, I usually don't see you two in the morning, but I also am aware that Soundwave feels very ashamed, if he needs a serum to calm his voice box while at work, and doesn't take them."

Mirage looked up at his guardian with sad optics. "It's been quite a few stellar cycles Cee, maybe it's finally burnt out."

Arcee knew the red youngling was referring to the short amount of time Soundwave's voice box had left to function. "I know, I was hoping it wouldn't be this soon though. Cybertron has just gotten back to its full potential." She said as they entered the clinics waiting room.

A few joors passed by, all three waited anxiously for the violet mech to emerge from down the hallway.

"So what's with the Elite Guard at the doors of the station?" Mirage asked the concerned femme, breaking the deafening silence.

"We've joined forces temporarily, to catch the vandals that are finding their way into Iacon city. Most of Ultra Magnus's soldiers are arrogant, so if they prefer to stand guard outside, I don't mind." Arcee scoffed to the questioning youngling.

Mirage smirked at his guardian's response. "That sounds a little extreme, I guess that's what Soundwave was upset about."

"Yeah, Soundwave made it very clear that he wasn't thrilled hearing about the elite guard alliance." Arcee sighed, she wasn't exactly thrilled either, but Ultra Magnus forced the alliance.

"You're telling me, Soundwave got kicked out of the High Council meeting today." Mirage retorted gaining the femme's full attention.

"He what?!" Arcee gasped in disbelief.

"I guess Ultra Magnus was suggesting to shut down the space bridge, cutting all ties off with other colonies. Apparently Soundwave couldn't hold himself back on arguing against that." Mirage explained to the shocked femme.

"Well it happened though, I got orders to make sure I send a squad to guard the space bridge under elite guard command. No one gets in, or out." Arcee told the young assassin.

"I know, Ratchet said he was able to get Ultra Magnus to compromise. The shut down is only temporary, and communications with other colonies is to be left open." Mirage replied to the cobalt blue femme.

"Good, I know Ultra Magnus is all about keeping it by the books, but it's getting to the point where the caste system is resurfacing. It's time for a new book to be written." Arcee thought aloud watching Bumblebee tidy up the waiting room.

"Soundwave mentioned that there was an invisible caste system. But Ratchet also mentioned that it was time for a change." Mirage mentioned to the femme. "He advised Soundwave to take a stand, and earn the title of Prime." He said as Ratchet came out of the hallway.

Arcee wanted to reply to the mention of Soundwave becoming a Prime, but was too concerned about her sparkmate's well being. "Ratchet, how's Soundwave?"

Ratchet looked around at the empty waiting room with a sigh. "I couldn't repair anything."

"So does that mean..."

"He gone mute? Technically yes, but I have given him pain relief, and cleared what was disrupting his voice box today." The medic thought aloud.

"How long will that last?" Bumblebee asked curiously.

"Soundwave has the use of his voice for now, but I only give him four solar cycles at the most, until he goes completely mute." Ratchet explained to the worried trio.

"Okay..." Arcee sighed deeply, she knew this time was coming, but hoped it would not have come so soon.

"Soundwave should be out in a few breems." Ratchet mentioned as Knockout walked out from his own office.

"Ratchet, I know you have a lot of work to do besides what's here in the clinic, I can take the overnight shift." Knockout suggested to his colleague.

"That's very thoughtful of you Knockout, I appreciate that." The ancient medic gratefully took the kind gesture.

"No problem, I think Hoist is coming in tonight anyway." The fancy medic smiled, noticing the two younglings and the femme. "Waiting on Soundwave I assume?" He commented.

"Yes, but I have to return to the station pretty quickly." Arcee replied to the sassy medic. "Mirage, can you take Bee home, I'm sure you both could use some energon." The femme turned to the younglings.

"Sure, come'on Bee." Mirage reluctantly agreed, escorting his little brother out of the medical facility.

"I can tell Soundwave where you are when he wakes." Ratchet told the femme.

"Thanks Ratchet, let him know Bee and Mirage are at home." Arcee thanked the medic before exiting as well.

"So I heard it was quite the heated council meeting today." Knockout mentioned, following Ratchet down the hallway.

"Indeed. Ultra Magnus was making some interesting choices, and Soundwave decided to speak up against him." Ratchet sighed entering his medical office, where Soundwave was resting on a medical berth.

Knockout snorted with a laugh. "Ha, I bet that tickled Magnus's transistors."

"Enough to have Soundwave dismissed forcefully from the meeting." Ratchet retorted with a sigh, doing one more scan on the young mech's mutilated voice box.

Knockout cringed at the visual the scan produced on the CMO's scanner. "How the frag did he have any sort voice with that amount of damage. I'm a medic, and I can't tell if that's a voice box, or a melted down piece of scrap metal!" The fancy medic commented on how terrible Soundwave's voice box looked.

[A lot of bots are surprised...] Soundwave thought to himself as he sat up on the berth, after regaining consciousness. "Ratchet?" The young mech called sorely.

"Soundwave, I tried to find a way to repair your voice box, but it is too far gone for anything to be done. But I have cleared what I believe was causing the irritation, but it's already caused too much damage." Ratchet explained to the listening young mech. "I have also gave you a dose of pain dampener. Unfortunately, I am sorry to say, you only have four solar cycles, at most, until your voice box finally completely shuts down."

"Thank you for all you have done for me Ratchet." Soundwave nodded in acknowledgement, he was well aware this day would come, he never expected his voice to last this long.

"You're welcome, but I am not done helping you yet." The old medic replied, sterilizing the tools he used on Soundwave.

"Oh?" Soundwave cocked his helm curiously.

"I will tell you more about that tomorrow. Arcee said to let you know that Mirage and Bumblebee are at home, and that she went back to the station." Ratchet told the curious young mech.

"Okay, thank you." Soundwave thanked the medic one last time before exiting the medical facility. "Mirage, can you watch Bumblebee for a bit, I'm heading to the enforcement station."

"Sure thing, Wave." Mirage replied over the comlink, happy to hear his brother's usual distorted voice.

Soundwave walked over to the enforcement station, disliking the fact that it was being guarded by two elite guards. The young mech heard voices coming up from behind him, halting off to the side, just before the entrance, kindly allowing a couple of Autobot citizens to enter before him.

"Thank you." The Autobots smiled sheepishly as they entered the station.

"State your business?" The guards stepped in front of the door, blocking the entrance from Soundwave.

"I'm here to talk to the Chief of this station." Soundwave took a step backwards after being blocked from entering the station.

"What's your business with the Chief?" The other elite guard demanded.

"I just told you I would like to speak with her." Soundwave furrowed his optic ridges at the mech in frustration. "How come I am getting interrogated, and those other two walked in without a word said to them?"

"We're just taking precautionary measures, to make sure you're not here to free any of your buddies from their prison cells." The guard smugly replied to the young mech.

"You're actions are discriminatory, I have every right to enter. I've brought some of those prisoners in, those imprisoned Cons are not my friends, and I have no intentions of freeing any of them without the proper justifications!" Soundwave hissed, pushing past the guards, who laughed at him as he entered.

"Soundwave, you're out of the operating room, how are you feeling?" Arcee asked upon approaching her frustrated mech.

"I'm perfectly fi... I'm good. I'm surprised you're here still?" Soundwave replied to his sparkmate.

Arcee gave a sympathetic smile to her mech. "I know about your time limit with your voice, you don't have to hide the fact you're not okay."

"I figured Ratchet spoke to you." Soundwave shrugged with a sigh.

"Why don't you come with me on my patrol, and we can talk?" Arcee gestured for her mech to follow her.

"Are you sure I'm allowed?" Soundwave scoffed glaring at the guards standing outside the entrance.

Arcee smirked. "Ultra Magnus wants me to take help from outside the police department, I don't mind taking the scolding if he gets upset about you aiding me. Plus I am going to inquire about Mirage's help as well, he's the best at capturing cons." The femme replied, leading her mech out of the enforcement station.

"Okay, where are headed?" The violet mech transformed, his sparkmate doing the same.

"The border of Tarn, but we'll stay in Iacon." Arcee replied, leading the reaper through the city to the border.

"Don't coddle me Arcee, I can handle Tarn." The violet reaper told the cobalt blue motorcycle below him.

"I know, I don't mean to, but you shut down the last time we were in there." Arcee replied transforming once they arrived at the border of Tarn. "And to be honest Tarn is Prowl's jurisdiction."

Soundwave transformed landing next to the femme. "I had a lot of things on my mind then. I am fine now, I am starting to think Shockwave has been operating out of Tarn. I don't know why I didn't think that to begin with, Tarn was Shockwave's domain for all his science projects, I even trained there. I just figured Crystal City, because many scientists loved the mystic aura of it." the glowing mech replied, following his sparkmate through the dark streets of the outer city.

"Maybe we can capture him on this patrol." Arcee replied with a smirk.

"Doubtful, but I love your enthusiasm." Soundwave shrugged, peeking in an alley way they were passing.

"So how are you feeling?" Arcee asked casually checking another alleyway.

"About Ultra Magnus overruling Cybertron with a set of incriminating rules, that seem to only be affecting ex Decepticons? Or about the fact that I am going to completely go mute at any moment?" The violet glowing mech followed his femme.

"Which ever one is bothering you the most." Arcee sighed, enjoying her mech's distorted voice while she still could, even though her sparkmate was very upset about Cybertron's current situation.

"How am I supposed to respond to that?" Soundwave asked in all honesty.

"Soundwave, just talk." The femme groaned, continuing to stride down the dark moderately busy streets.

"Fine, I don't like the elite guard being everywhere I look, I had a hell of a time entering the enforcement station just to see you!" The young mech complained to his sparkmate.

"They're questioning everyone who's entering, not just you." Arcee replied to which her mech laughed.

"The two Autobots that went in before me didn't even get a hello from them, I got blocked, and questioned what I was doing, and accused of wanting to go release my Decepticon friends." The violet mech scoffed making his femme frown.

"But I saw them questioning others before you arrived." The cobalt blue femme said.

Soundwave was bitter, he knew if he pulled up the security feeds, he would probably only see ex Decepticons being interrogated and denied. "They we're probably questioning ex cons, I doubt any known Autobots got questioned."

Arcee stopped, allowing her mech to catch up to her. "Soundwave, I can't distinguish the difference between ex cons, and Autobots, they're the same to me. You're an Autobot anyway, they shouldn't be hassling you like that."

"I know, I wish others would see the way you do." The violet mech stopped next to his sparkmate. "I find it funny how Ultra Magnus thinks these vandals are going to cause a Decepticon uprising. Truthfully I believe if he keeps pushing his discriminatory rules, and elite guard, he's going to cause a Decepticon uprising from the ex cons that just want to be humble citizens." Soundwave thought aloud as he caught shadows moving in the alley a few feet away from them.

Hearing a crash Arcee stepped forward quietly, fast walking up to a side street.

[Arcee must've missed the shadows in that alleyway.] Soundwave thought to himself as he followed his sparkmate who stopped at the open street, before the alley.

On the street they came across a few frightened citizens gathered at a building entrance, some bots were hurriedly exiting the building while others stared at what appeared to be broken glass and a door that had been forcefully opened.

"Let's split up" Soundwave said stopping his femme from walking over to the vandalized building.

"Why?" Arcee questioned confused.

"Because if I enter from the alleyway, the vandals can't escape if they're still in there." Soundwave replied to his confused sparkmate.

"Good, I'm going to call Prowl for backup so he can handle the witnesses. Why don't you deploy Ravage, so you have backup." Arcee replied making her way over to the crowd.

Soundwave smirked, releasing Ravage as he made his way into the dark alleyway, his bioluminescent frame illuminating the alley. Ravage growled as they approached the back entrance of the targeted building. The violet mech signalled for his minicon to halt, entering through the door first.

"Come'on." Soundwave whispered for his minicon to follow him.

Ravage eagerly trotted into the building, walking past massive pistons pumping loudly.

The dimly lit industrial building was loud with screeching machinery, the violet glowing mech walked through the isles of pistons, where he happened to come across a pile of raw energon, oddly placed next to one the pistons. The young mech was suspicious as this was not an energon processing plant, the sight of raw energon was incredibly suspicious.

"Iacon Police, come out quietly, with your blasters in the air." Arcee announced her presence as she entered through the busted down door. (Soundwave are you in here?) she texted her mech to not alarm the criminal to her partner.

(I'm in the eighth isle, west side, I found raw energon. I believe the energons intended use is for explosives.) Soundwave texted back in reply, as Ravage sniffed the energon, catching the intruder's scent.

The feline lifted his helm, hearing metal skidding across the floor, sharply turning his helm catching sight of a ped quickly fleeing behind the pumping pistons.

"Ravage!" Soundwave hissed in a whisper as his minicon gave chase into the back of the building.

Arcee could barely hear the rapid clinking of lightweight peds scurrying across the floor, over the loud turning pistons. (Soundwave, check in, I'm at the position you sent me.)The femme texted upon coming across the raw energon.

(In pursuit, east side back, near the storage warehouse!) Soundwave replied, trying to find his minicon that he lost track of.

Before Arcee could head in the direction her mech spoke of, the raw energon beside her was shot intentionally by someone out of sight, causing it to explode.

"Frag!" Soundwave cursed hearing the explosion come from behind him. "Arcee respond?!" Rushing back towards where he found the energon, Ravage reunited with him looking a bit confused as he ran next to his master.

Arcee was disoriented by the explosion, unable to move due to the destroyed piston, laying across her frame. Able to wriggle her torso out from under the heavy piston, Arcee could see the building wall now on fire. The fire would soon cause a chain reaction in the energon fuelled pistons.

Arcee grunted, trying to free herself from under the fallen piston. Through the thick smoke she could see a bioluminescent grooves approaching her, she could barely make out the masked mech that appeared, standing over her helpless frame.

"Soundwave, help me, I'm stuck, and this place is going to blow." Arcee spoke to the mech that was glowing an indigo hue. The femme figure it was because of the smoke, or her optics were just playing tricks due to the explosion.

The masked mech cocked his helm curiously, backing away into the smoke, causing the trapped femme great confusion.

"Soundwave?!" Arcee cried out confused, knowing she was only moments away from being destroyed, small explosions going off around her.

Ravage halted, hearing a jet engine, he stared up at the ceiling, watching as a jet escaped through a massive hole that was blown in the roof.

"Ravage return!" Soundwave hissed after almost tripping over his halted minicon.

Ravage quickly did as he was told, returning to Soundwave's back, as his master charged through the smoke.

Arcee squirmed trying to get out from under the heavy piston holding her down, she was angry, and confused as to why her mech walked away without trying to assist her in this dangerous situation.

Suddenly a black and white mech emerged from the thick smoke, his royal blue optics illuminating through the smoke. "Arcee, I'll get this off you!" Prowl gasped as he ran up to assist the femme.

Using his visor to see through the thick smoke, Soundwave quickly located his downed sparkmate.

Arcee shimmied backwards while Prowl lifted the piston with the help of Soundwave's tentacles. Once fully out from under the piston, Soundwave helped her off the ground, guiding her out of the burning building, with Prowl's help.

Exiting the building to see the street littered with fire fighting bots, and Cybertronian police keeping the crowd of citizens back away from the building.

"I've got to assist my squad, you have her right?" Prowl asked the masked young mech.

"Yes." Soundwave nodded, holding Arcee closely under his arm.

"Great I will send First Aid over to you." Prowl replied before running over to control the crowd.

Once Arcee had collected herself, she sharply pushed away from her mech.

Soundwave retracted his visor, giving his femme a confused gaze. "What's wrong, was I hurting you?"

"Are you glitched or something!?" Arcee hissed, making Soundwave visibly jump.

"What?" Soundwave replied very confused while the burning building behind him groaned and exploded.

Soundwave gently guided Arcee into the middle of the street, away from the exploding building. She once again pushed his helping servo away. "You found me trapped in the fire, stared at me for a moment then left me! You didn't even try to help, until Prowl began helping me!" Arcee spat at her very confused mech.

"I did no such thing! I didn't come across you until Prowl found you, why would I ever walk away?!" Soundwave didn't understand why Arcee believed he would walk away, leaving her in a dangerous situation. "I was a little delayed by Ravage, but I got to you as fast as I could. I would never leave you like that."

Arcee frowned, thinking to herself. [Maybe Soundwave backed up for a moment, to prevent Ravage from accidentally triggering an explosion, or damage.]

Soundwave cocked his helm, confused as to why femme was so upset and confused. "I dealt with Ravage before I got up to you. Could it be possible that you saw the vandal that caused this damage?"

The cobalt blue femme thought for a moment. "There was a lot of smoke, maybe I did..." Arcee sighed, as First Aid came over to look her over. "Sorry I accused you of abandoning me in a dangerous situation. I could've sworn it was you." The femme apologized as the medic scanned her.

"It's alright, sorry I didn't get to you quicker." Soundwave apologized, watching some of the workers from the building, and other citizens, point at him. Which he thought nothing of, because many disliked his presence.

"Well, just a few dents, and singes, but you're okay Arcee." First Aid announced to the femme, as Prowl approached them with a couple of his officers. "Soundwave, you want me to do a quick scan, make sure you're all good?"

Soundwave smiled politely declining the medic's offer. "I'm fine thank you First Aid..."

"Soundwave?" Prowl called as his two officers approached the glowing young mech with stasis cuffs.

"Yes..." Soundwave replied, stepping to the side, as one of the officers went to cuff him. "Wait, what's going on?" He asked continuing to avoid the enforcement officers.

"Multiple witnesses say that a faceless, slender, figure, with glowing features, was seen breaking into the building. Many witnesses used you as the example." Prowl replied to the resisting young mech. "We're taking you in for questioning, you are now considered a suspect."

"I was only masked in the building, plus I am not the only bot with glowing features on Cybertron." Soundwave argued, as Arcee also discouraged the officers from cuffing him.

"Prowl, that can't be true, Soundwave was with me." Arcee argued with the black and white officer.

Soundwave was completely hazed by the accusations. "It's alright Arcee. I will come quietly Prowl, no need to cuff me." The young mech willingly surrendered himself.

It was a short journey to the Tarn enforcement station, Soundwave was put in the interrogation room. He was joined by Prowl and Arcee, with an officer guarding the door.

"Soundwave, I need you to tell me everything you did this solar cycle, leading up to this break in." Prowl sternly told the young mech in question.

"I woke this morning with Bumblebee, gave him energon, dropped him off at the clinic for his shift. Before going to my own occupation at High Council, I ground bridged from the clinic to High Council. I was vigorously questioned by the Elite Guard, before I could enter the building, even though I work there and have been in the building multiple times." Soundwave kept an emotionless gaze, as he replied to the questioning enforcement Chief. "I began collecting data, also listening for any transmissions coming from deep space. Then I attended the High Council meeting which, you saw me just before I entered the council chamber. I got kicked out of the meeting, I returned to my office, Ratchet was present for all of that if you wish to question more bots. Then I went in for repairs on my dwindling voice box, after I recovered from the surgery, I went to visit Arcee at the enforcement station."

Prowl blinked at the busy day Soundwave had. "Arcee is this true?"

"Yes, I asked Soundwave to join me on patrol, so I could enjoy listening to his voice, before he goes permanently mute at any given moment." Arcee replied to Prowl.

"On this patrol I need you both to explain what happened, leading up to the break in." The black and white mech continued to question.

"We arrived near the street of the break in, we walked talking amongst each other before we heard a crash come from that industrial building." Arcee explained to the mech.

"During that, I also witnessed shadows in the alleyway that backed onto the building. I suggested that we split up, so I could cover the back exit so the intruder couldn't escape." Soundwave explained as well.

"Exactly, I went around to the front, where the workers were already evacuated out of the building. I didn't have time to question them, as most of them just pointed me in the direction of the vandals. But they did mention there were two bots that appeared, one that was slender and glowing, the other too dark to recognize any other features." Arcee told the Chief of Tarn.

"Not a lot to go off on Arcee, that still points towards Soundwave as a suspect." Prowl sighed at the cobalt blue femme.

"But I wasn't at the scene of the break in when it happened. I was with Arcee down the street." Soundwave scoffed at the mech. "Can't we just bring up the city surveillance, to prove it, and maybe get a look at the real suspects?"

"Yes, but it might take a while for us to get a hold of the footage." Prowl sighed, as Soundwave materialized his visor.

"You do know you have Soundwave in front of you, he can gain access in seconds." Arcee mentioned to the black and white mech.

At that mention, Soundwave brought up the city's security footage, switching through different feeds until he reached the scene of the crime.

The video footage was terribly gritty, barely able to see the streets. It showed both Arcee and Soundwave striding casually down the dark street, changing to a different camera angle it showed a ground bridge suddenly appearing in front of the industrial building. Two bots jumped out from the bridge portal, from what they could make out of the terrible footage. One merely a shadow with their black, and what looked to be red colour scheme, while the other was a glowing blur through the distortion. The distortion was incredibly terrible, through glimpses of grainy footage, the first bot looked to be commanding their accomplice, who destroyed the doors to the building, while the other black and red bot went back into the portal as it disappeared.

Soundwave quickly switched back to the street, where him, and Arcee, heard the crash from the door being destroyed. Arcee rushed to the next street, Soundwave followed for a moment, before splitting up, heading towards the alleyway while Arcee made her way to the building's destroyed entrance.

"What the frag, I could barely make out the footage." Prowl scoffed in frustration. "But, it still doesn't prove much. That who ever, or whatever that Cybertronian is, they still fit your description. The video just doesn't have enough proof, if it was clearer, I would be less suspicious Soundwave." The Chief enforcement officer explained to the young mech. "I mean the bridging in just brings more questions as you have that capability, and no other Cybertronian does."

"Prowl, it's literally impossible for Soundwave to have bridged, he was with me. Just let Soundwave off with a warning, if you need him again, he won't hesitate to return. We have younglings at home we need to get back to." Arcee groaned tired of the interrogation that was getting no where.

Prowl folded his arms cocking an optic ridge at the femme. "Arcee, the evidence the witnesses provided, just points too heavily in Soundwave's direction. I mean they have the ability to bridge in, the bot is silent, slender, dark with glowing features..."

"Prowl, I can try to recover the video footage. I can look into seeing if the warehouse had surveillance, but I don't believe it did, and if so it would be difficult to recover from the explosions. But I could try to recover it if there is footage." Soundwave replied to the skeptical mech.

Prowl gave a reluctant groan, gesturing for his guarding officer to move out of the way of the exit. "Fine, I'll contact you after your shift."

"Contact me during my shift, I am usually not to preoccupied, and I doubt the High Council will willingly welcome me into their conferences. So I am sure I can reply to your questions, or demands of the elite guard." Soundwave said to the reluctant enforcement officer.

"You bringing up that footage, will just make the elite guard want to investigate if there's any footage of the other times this vandal has struck." The black and white mech warned the young mech, who opened a ground bridge.

"I'm fully aware of that..." Soundwave entered into the bridge with his sparkmate.

Arcee scanned the empty front room, surprised that Bumblebee and Mirage were not awake watching holo vids. "Hmm, younglings must be recharging."

Soundwave peeked his helm into each of the younglings rooms, seeing that the femme was correct. "I'm shocked, they must've been tired." The violet mech shrugged, following Arcee into their bedroom.

"You promise me it wasn't you who caused that damage?" Arcee sighed sitting on the berth.

The glowing mech nodded. "I promise you Arcee, if there was surveillance on the inside of the building I would prove it. I was with you in that moment." Sitting on the berth as well the young mech placed a servo on his sparkmate's stabilizer servo. "Nor would I ever abandon you while you're in danger."

"Soundwave, you asked me to split up, and the bot I saw through the smoke, I swear it was you. So you can understand my skepticism." Arcee said to her understanding mech.

"I understand." The violet mech nodded in acknowledgement. He knew his sparkmate couldn't be biased, she had to do her job as an officer, and if Arcee truly believes she saw him during her moment of peril, before Prowl arrived to assist her. He truly began to believe that Shockwave and Flamewar were behind this vandalism, judging by the use of ground bridging and the black and red bot, but he would have to enhance the video footage before it could be proven.

Before the sunlight shone in their room, Soundwave exited quietly, careful not to wake Arcee.

Opening Bumblebee's room, Soundwave cleared the static buildup in his voice box, before whispering for his little brother. "Bumblebee come'on, time to get up."

Bumblebee whined, as he rolled over in his berth to face his glowing brother. "Ugh, do I have to?"

"Yes, if Mirage wasn't busy, perhaps you could stay home. But I think Arcee is requesting his assistance today, so you're better off being busy at the clinic." Soundwave replied, following the groggy youngling into the front room.

"Can I take a day off tomorrow?" Bumblebee yawned plopping himself onto the couch.

"We'll see what's happening with everyone first, you'll need to ask Ratchet." The violet mech replied, walking over to the youngling, handing Bumblebee some energon.

Bumblebee politely took the offered energon, but was confused to see Soundwave without any. "Aren't you going to have energon with that stuff in it?"

"No." Soundwave shook his helm no, making Bumblebee frown at him.

"Why not, I know you try to every solar cycle?" Bumblebee mentioned, guzzling his energon.

"Because it is pointless now, I am not wasting serums, and energon, just for it to fail anyway." Soundwave shrugged, taking the empty cube from the youngling. "Come'on you're going to be late." He gestured for Bumblebee to follow him out the door.

Bumblebee jumped off the couch, quickly following his big brother. "But it hurts you a lot. You shouldn't give up so easily Wave." The youngling said with concern.

Soundwave snorted with a dry chuckle. "I've had this glitch my entire life cycle Bumblebee, it was never going to get better, I was well aware of losing it eventually. The only reason it's lasted this long, is because I didn't use my voice until I joined the Autobots."

"Oh, will you get a new voice box?" Bumblebee asked following Soundwave down the street.

The violet mech smiled, he knew his little brother meant well, and didn't understand the full extent of his damaged voice box. "Bumblebee, if I could, I would have by now. It wasn't the same as when you lost yours."

"What about Mirage's, he got his back over a long period of time, don't you two have the same repair systems?" The yellow scout thought aloud.

"My injury happened long before I ended up in Shockwave's super soldier project. So when our systems were altered, my unique recovery systems recognized my damaged voice box as a part of me, not as damage that needed repairs." Soundwave explained, taking note that they were being followed by a few officers.

"Aren't you upset that you're going to lose your voice?" Bumblebee asked curiously but with a concerned tone.

Soundwave could tell Bumblebee was not aware of the officers following them, but he was alright with that, he'd rather not explain why the officers were following him. "A bit, but I had been silent for dece cycles before joining the Autobots, it won't be too upsetting... for me at least." The violet mech replied, hoping the officers wouldn't bother him until after he dropped Bumblebee off at the medical facility that was a few feet away from them.

Bumblebee nodded in understanding, he just worried that if Soundwave was to try to become the next Prime, communication with Cybertronians may become a major issue.

"Alright, have a good day at the clinic youngling. One of us will come get you later okay?" Soundwave stopped before the entrance of the facility.

"Okay, see you later Wave!" Bumblebee quickly hugged his older brother before entering the medical facility.

Soundwave deeply sighed, pivoting to face the officers standing a few feet away from him. "Good morning, officers." He greeted them to their surprise.

Both officers awkwardly nodded, before leaving towards the enforcement station across from the medical facility.

Soundwave rolled his optics shaking his helm, before transforming, flying towards the High Council edifice. Transforming landing at the top of the staircase to the entrance, calmly walking towards the unguarded doors, he was usually the first bot to arrive at work. Soundwave took out the keycard that allowed him entrance into the locked building.

"Hey!"

"Stop right there!"

Two mechs yelled rushing up the stairs to the emotionless young mech.

Soundwave mentally sighed, as the two elite guards that usually guarded the entrance, approached him. "Good morning." He greeted the two guards who glared angrily at him.

"What do you think you're doing?" A blue and white mech hissed.

"I'm showing up for my job." Soundwave replied simply.

"This early, that's a bit suspicious?" The red and grey mech scoffed.

[Simpletons...] Soundwave thought to himself, before replying to the mechs that were all brawn and no processor. "Yes, I am always the first one here, then you two arrive shortly after, you just don't notice, because you stand guard here."

"I think we would've noticed that. You're just here to steal the High Council records." The blue and white mech accused Soundwave.

"That's right. I am the data collector, I collect, the whole solar cycle. It's kind of my whole job here." Soundwave replied a little more sarcastically this time. "You'd probably notice me here early every solar cycle, if you got here earlier. The only reason you caught me, is because I was a few nano clicks late leaving the medical facility, after dropping my little brother off."

The two guards smugly smirked at the young mech. "Is that really why you were late, or is it because you were up late, doing a job that isn't yours to do?"

"The Chief in command of the enforcement station required my assistance, so I assisted." The violet young mech replied as Ultra Magnus approached them all.

"Soundwave, I had just installed my elite guard with the Cybertronian police, as an assist, there's no need to assist the police." Ultra Magnus sternly greeted the violet young mech.

"Understood sir." Soundwave nodded in reply, seemed like Ultra Magnus had not yet heard about him being investigated as a suspect, for the on going vandalism.

Ultra Magnus nodded at the young mech whom kindly opened the door for him to enter.

Soundwave got one last smug glare from the guards, before following Ultra Magnus into the building. The massive mech took the elevator to the office, while Soundwave took the stairs to his own office.

Once in his office, Soundwave released his minicons, allowing them to freely roam his large office. Materializing his visor, Soundwave began immediately researching for older footage from the previous vandalized sites, hoping to get a sneak peek at who, and what was purposely causing this chaos. But every piece of video footage he searched through, was distorted, at the time the vandalism occurred, so much so that he couldn't even recover it.

"It has to be Flamewar, that's the same distortion that appeared on your visual feedback, Lazerbeak." The young mech said to his perched surveillance drone, who tweeted in response. Soundwave quickly returned to the footage from last night's patrol, clearing up the small amount of distortion, as best he could, as he enhanced the image on the ground bridge that appeared in the video.

"Dammit!" The bioluminescent mech cursed as a wave of distortion blocked him from perfectly viewing the first bot exiting out of the bridge. All Soundwave could see was a quick glance of the bot's indigo glow. "Scrap..." A knock at his office door brought him out of his focus, retracting his visor.

"Soundwave..." a red mech entered the young mech's office, immediately greeted by the curious, but protective Cyber Feline.

"Preceptor, how can I be of assistance?" Soundwave stood up from his desk, gesturing for his minicon to leave the mech alone.

"I came to inform you that, Ultra Magnus wishes to move you to the correct facilities, so that you can reach your full potential with your occupation." Preceptor replied to the now confused young mech.

Soundwave cocked his helm curiously at the red mech. "I don't fully understand, why move me?"

"At the moment Ultra Magnus is busy, he only gave me this message to pass along." Preceptor sighed, Ultra Magnus gave him very little information about this announcement. "To be honest youngling, I don't fully understand it either. I would advise seeing Ultra Magnus, so he explain further to you."

"Okay..." the young mech sighed not looking forward to seeing or hearing where he was going to end up next. "Do y-you know how long he will be preoccupied f-for?"

"No, but I can accompany you on your way to Ultra Magnus, I can ask his assistant how long he will be." Preceptor suggested to the uncomfortable young mech.

"Thank you." Soundwave exhaled with relief, returning his minicons, before following the scientist out of his office.

It was completely silent during their ascent of the staircase, Soundwave could only think about the trouble he had gotten himself into, after arguing with a High Councillor, during the High Council meeting yesterday.

Both mechs were informed by Ultra Magnus's assistant, to wait for a few breems outside the Commander's office while he finished a call.

Soundwave anxiously walked over to the large window in the waiting area, overlooking Iacon's bustling city.

Preceptor stood next to the violet young mech, seeing Soundwave's nervous expression. "You're worried about what happened yesterday?"

"I fear Ultra Magnus didn't have the time to properly scold me yesterday." Soundwave sighed, keeping his gaze forward. "It was wrong of me to argue."

"I don't believe that youngling, you had every right to argue, you had a very wise opinion. Thanks to you, we still have open communication with the other colonies, instead of shutting off to them suddenly. If we shut down suddenly, denying any access to the other colonies, with little explanation, that's exactly how you spark another civil war." Preceptor praised the young mech for standing up for what was right. "You did good Soundwave."

Soundwave was quiet at the scientist's reply, he could barely keep track of the Councillors reactions yesterday during his argument with Ultra Magnus. The violet mech vaguely remembered Ratchet defending him, but it was great to know there were bots other than Ratchet, who agreed with him.

"Thank you, sir, but why was it me who had to speak up?" Soundwave glanced at the red mech.

"Ratchet, and Skyfire, are the only two that will willingly question Ultra Magnus." Preceptor sighed shamefully. "It takes a lot of momentum for any of us to speak up against Ultra Magnus. See, he's the only one with true leadership skills, the rest of us are either scientists or medics, we have little experience with leadership, even though we were voted in as High Council."

"But as scientists, and medics, you are the ones who care for everyone, and the planet, you have a sense of Cybertron and it's community. Ultra Magnus may be a leader that is by the books, and fiercely loyal to the Autobots, but I'm afraid his forceful rule is going to spark rebellion." Soundwave locked his optics onto the memorial statue of Optimus Prime.

Preceptor wasn't exactly going to verbally agree with the youngling, but he nodded in acknowledgement, following the gaze of those mixed coloured optics, deeply exhaling. "I miss him terribly, I wish I could've said goodbye."

Soundwave sighed, closing his optics momentarily. "I miss Optimus a lot, I miss everything about him, especially his wisdom, I could really use some of that right about now."

Once again Preceptor nodded. "Youngling, as much as you wish for a chance to hear your creator's wisdom, you truly have that wisdom inside yourself, I can see that clearly." He said with a smile. "You've got a capturing spark."

"C-c-capturing... spark?" The violet mech was confused by the term.

Preceptor gave a sympathetic smile, hearing the young mech's voice box glitch. "Soundwave, you easily capture the sparks of others, even though it may seem like more bots hate you, rather than admire your warm, caring spark. I truly believe that you should have been voted into the High Council." The red mech told the modest young mech.

"I..." The bioluminescent mech shrugged, he knew he lost the vote fairly in his optics.

"But, things happen for a reason." Preceptor said, interrupting Soundwave. "I believe you are meant to be voted in as something greater than a High Councillor."

"Soundwave, Ultra Magnus is ready for you." The assistant announced to the two mechs.

"I will see you later youngling." Preceptor cupped a servo on Soundwave's shoulder, guiding him to the Commander's office door, before parting ways.

"S-sir... Preceptor i-i-informed me you wanted to sp-e-sp-speak... with me?" The violet mech stood in front of the Commander's desk.

Ultra Magnus was silent, staring the slender young mech down, increasing the tension, before finally speaking. "What's your malfunction youngling?"

"I ap-pologize... I have limited sp-s-speech... I am losing my v-v-voice... box. Th-this moment will pass." Soundwave cleared the static from his voice box, apologizing for his glitchy voice.

Ultra Magnus gave a nod in understanding. "I have called you to my office, because I believe that your work can be done from the proper facilities, with the proper technology."

"Sir?" Soundwave tilted his helm curiously.

"I believe you would be better off at the Hall Of Records, as you are a data clerk, and there is limited data to collect here." The blue and red mech explained.

"Oh... I understand." The young mech hid his cringe, knowing the Commander was politely terminating him from his position. "I will transfer and clear my information from my office..."

"Very good." Ultra Magnus said as the young mech made his way to the door. "But with your certain circumstances..."

Soundwave halted before stepping out of the office, turning his attention back to the massive mech.

"I have put you on leave from all your occupations, while you are under investigation by the Cybertronian Police, and Elite Guard. Until you are cleared from your suspected crimes, you are prohibited from archiving any data. You will also be denied entry here, and in the Hall Of Records, until you are proven innocent, this is effective immediately." The Commander sternly informed the potential criminal of his banishment. "Is that clear Soundwave?"

Soundwave mentally groaned wanting to disappear from this situation. "Understood completely, sir." He quickly exited the Commander's office, returning to his own to find his younger brother waiting for him.

"I was wondering where you were, I didn't think that the High Council would invite you into another meeting so quickly?" Mirage joked as his brother entered the office.

"I wasn't in a m-meeting, I had a quick conversation with Ultra Magnus, and I am being relocated to a b-better facility for my work." Soundwave replied emotionlessly, walking over to the computer system on his desk.

"Well that's great, I know you said you were limited with the technology here." Mirage happily replied. "When does it take effect?"

"When I am cleared from being investigated by the police. I got politely terminated from my job Mirage." Soundwave sighed admitting his termination from his job.

"Oh..." the red youngling drooped his doorwings. "Sorry, I heard about what happened last night, Arcee is dealing with a lot of heat from the elite guard."

"I'm heading over to her office, once I am done clearing, and transferring everything from my computer." Soundwave sighed with disappointment. "I have to solve this problem, I may need your assistance." He said, as what sounded like two large bots approached his office.

Mirage cloaked himself as the two elite guards from yesterday entered Soundwave's office. The two mechs stood behind Soundwave patiently waiting for him to finish his data transfer.

"Can I help you two?" Soundwave stood up from his desk after finishing the data transfer.

"We have been commanded to remove you from the building." The guards replied escorting him out the office.

[Meet you outside Wave.] Mirage thought, knowing his brother would hear him, before he escaped out the window.

Soundwave walked through the building quietly, without argument, getting concerned gazes from Ratchet and Preceptor, as they passed by while he was escorted outside.

"I'm starting to think my entire job is kicking you out of places." The one mech scoffed, once they were outside.

"We'll be keeping an optic out for you, so don't even think about returning youngling." The other guard threatened as Soundwave disappeared down the street.

"Primus, those two are glitches." Mirage scoffed reappearing next to Soundwave.

"Yes, but I don't really care for them at this time." Soundwave mentioned, walking to the enforcement station.

The two elite guards guarding the entrance quickly allowed a well known Autobot to enter, before immediately blocking the entrance from the mutant brothers. "State your business."

"I don't have to state a fragging thing to you. This is a public domain, for Cybertronians to communicate their inquiries and concerns about law with the police force." Soundwave was getting really tired of being profiled by the elite guard.

The guards didn't budge, they were almost dumbstruck by the young mech's aggressive response. "We have to check over suspects, before allowing entrance." One of the mechs lied.

"That's scrap and you know it. You're not the police, you have no right to question a suspect." Mirage hissed at the mech ghat lied.

"That's actually not true, the elite guard is a standing law enforcement, you younglings should educate yourselves." The dark blue and steel grey mech scoffed.

"No, you should educate yourselves." Soundwave challenged the mech. "The Elite Guard was a stand in law enforcement, during pre war times, as a tactical unit for spec ops during the terrorist attacks. You have no standings for law enforcement in civil matters, you are spec ops officers, here to aid the police, not to take over their jobs." The violet mech informed the guards, as Jazz exited the station.

"Whoa whoa whoa! Let's turn the heat down, and chill." Jazz pushed past the guards blocking the entrance. "What's going on?"

"We're being denied access, because these two afts are blocking our way." Mirage retorted, getting angry glares from the guards.

"Why are you denying entrance to these two civilians? The public is allowed to enter during these joors, move out of their way, before I bring you both in for discrimination, and report it to the High Council." Jazz ordered the two guards to move out of the way for the brothers.

Both mechs groaned with an optic roll, reluctantly moving back to their posts.

"Sorry about that bro, Arcee is in her office with Prowl, who's expecting to see you. Ultra Magnus sure gave her a talking to, but she gave it right back!" Jazz chuckled, lightheartedly giving Soundwave a friendly pat on the back before parting ways.

Soundwave sighed walking through the enforcement station with Mirage. He now understood that Ultra Magnus was speaking with Arcee and Prowl, before he was called in and terminated.

"Soundwave, Mirage, good to see you both." Prowl greeted the brothers who entered the office.

"Please tell me you were able to recover the footage from last night and the other solar cycles?" Arcee exhaled clearly exhausted with this criminal case.

"I was in the midst of it until Ultra m-m-Magnus hailed me into his office..." Soundwave stopped himself from announcing he got terminated from his occupation. "But I was only able to en-enhance... a small amount of last night's attack. The other footage of vandalism was lost due to an audio visual disruptor." The glowing mech materialized his visor, displaying the enhanced image of the femme suspect.

"Flamewar..." Arcee growled from where she sat at her desk, leaning on her elbows.

"The femme that attacked you two, four stellar cycles ago?" Prowl squinted his optics, getting a better look at the image displayed on the young mech's visor.

"Exactly, she went silent for four stellar cycles, now she's climbing out of hole she's been hiding in with Shockwave." Arcee replied standing up from her desk.

"I bet Shockwave has been joining her in these attacks, or sending out a new abomination he's created, to aid Flamewar in this vandalism." Mirage thought aloud. "I haven't been able to track them down at all, I've tried, but Flamewar's masking field is too advanced to break through."

"Well now that we have clear optics on who are suspects are, we can go about further investigations and search for the criminals." Prowl said backing towards the office door.

"I will have Soundwave send this image to every enforcement station on Cybertron." Arcee replied to the black and white mech.

Prowl nodded before giving a heavy sigh. "Soundwave, unfortunately due to the witnesses descriptions of Flamewar's partner, your investigation will stay opened until proven otherwise."

"I understand." Soundwave acknowledged, as Prowl left the office.

"That's so stupid." Mirage snorted with an optic roll.

"It is what it is, I expect n-n-nothing... less." Soundwave cupped a slender servo on his brother's shoulder.

Arcee gave a small smile, walking around her desk to the brothers. "It will simmer down soon enough, once we get those two mad scientists." She wrapped her arms around her mech's slender waist. "I didn't think you'd be on a respite so early, you were able to be dismissed to deliver these images?"

"Not exactly..." Soundwave sighed, shamefully turning his helm away.

"I'm going to go see if Jazz is back..." Mirage politely exited the office, to allow his brother to explain what happened this morning.

"Soundwave?" Arcee looked up at her mech's pitch black visor. "Can I see your face please."

Soundwave exhaled retracting his visor. "I was t-t-terminated... from my data collecting, until my i-i-investigation... is closed. But good news, I am being r-r-relocated... to better facilities, so that Ultra Magnus can validly remove me from the High Council building. But I am p-p-prohibited... from entering both facilities, as I am seen as a Decepticon criminal." Soundwave's tone dripped with venomous sarcasm.

"I'm so sorry Soundwave, the elite guards at the Tarn station got a hold of your investigation files. Ultra Magnus called Prowl, and I, this morning to bitch about the fact that I had you join me on patrol." Arcee released her embrace. "But I told Ultra Magnus to frag off, I have to deal with his power hungry elite guards, I get to hire extra assistance that doesn't draw attention. I'm considering bringing Mirage into our hunt."

The violet mech snorted with a smirk. "How'd Ultra Magnus take that?"

The cobalt blue femme smirked with a chuckle. "Not very well, but he has little say over my department, unless he shuts us down, which he won't because we're the main police headquarters in Iacon." Arcee explained as her office intercom beeped. "Ugh, I'm telling you I'm tired of sparkling sitting these over grown egos though, I have gotten so many complaints since the elite guard joined us. I have to take this, I'll be out in a bit." The femme groaned going over to the intercom.

Soundwave nodded, exiting the femme's office, allowing his sparkmate to answer the call. Walking through the station, Soundwave could see Mirage fooling around with Jazz and a couple other officers. Walking down the stairs to the highly fortified prison cells.

"Huh, I figured you were offline or something, you didn't visit yesterday." Starscream commented as the bioluminescent mech strode by his cell.

Megatron watched as the young mech entered his cell, he could feel the tension, and stress radiating from Soundwave. "Something must be troubling you youngling, you've gone off schedule, that's unlike you."

"For s-s-starters... I was t-t-terminated... from the High Council edifice, and relocated to the Iacon Hall Of Records. But I'm prohibited from entering and data collecting until my c-c-criminal... investigation is closed." Soundwave began to explain to his Uncle.

"Why the criminal record?" Megatron asked.

"I went on a p-p-patrol... with Arcee, f-f-found... the vandals destroying the city, but didn't see any of them p-p-personally... But every witness pointed a digit at me, apparently I look exactly like one of the v-v-vandals... So I am under investigation now."

"Seems Shockwave has begun his revenge against you." The massive mech thought aloud.

"I'm going to s-s-stop... him, before it gets completely out of control." Soundwave said to the former warlord, who chuckled in response.

"I wish you luck youngling, and hope to see Shockwave in one the cells down here, or his spark in your servo." Megatron wished the young mech luck on his hunt. "How's your voice, you seem to be struggling on, and off, with it?"

Soundwave painfully cleared the static buildup in his voice box, regaining his speech for the moment. "It's slowly going into total failure, I can go completely mute at any moment, or hopefully in three solar cycles."

Megatron sighed sympathetically. "Unfortunate, but I always found that your actions, spoke louder than words. Speaking of that, I have heard the elite guard speaking about a young mech, that was arguing against High Councillor Ultra Magnus." The former Decepticon leader changed the subject.

"Part of the reason I was kicked out of the High Council chamber, no doubt. But someone has to speak out against his discriminatory rule. I personally think that Ultra Magnus is enforcing a hidden caste system, that the citizens will eventually get wise too." Soundwave expressed his reasoning behind his challenge to Ultra Magnus.

"Hmm, you told me you lost the chance to get in as a High Councillor." Megatron approached the bioluminescent young mech.

"So?" Soundwave raised an optic ridge at the former warlord.

The grey mech placed a massive servo on the youngling's shoulder. "You have not lost the vote to lead. Soundwave, you have consistently denied your ability as a leader. You were your father's apprentice, not just because you were his youngling, but because he knew you had more than just the potential to become a Prime. Optimus knew you were a born Prime." Megatron gave Soundwave's shoulder a gentle squeeze.