Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers or any of the characters in this story.
Mixed Feelings
Chapter Two: A Big Difference
Cyclonus tried his utmost to simply stare at the viewscreen ahead of him; he truly did. But something was off on the bridge of the Decepticon ship. And that something was Galvatron, their strangely quiet leader. Cyclonus didn't know what had occurred between him and Optimus Prime in the Autobot base, but Galvatron had remained silent on the subject, not uttering a single word to any Decepticon soldier.
Cyclonus had never seen his leader so quiet when he was online. Perhaps he was seething was so much rage because his arch foe had returned from the dead. Cyclonus nodded to himself, satisfied with that explanation.
That must be it. Of course, it wasn't a bad thing that Galvatron was quiet; it was simply unnerving. And Cyclonus knew that the Decepticons were on edge enough without their leader suddenly acting strangely. He allowed a quick glance over his right shoulder and saw that Galvatron was walking around the bridge, his hands clasped behind his back as he observed the activities of the various Decepticons.
Cyclonus' optics widened slightly as he realised that his cannon was not on his arm. Cyclonus turned slowly to look for it, and found it leaning against the command chair in the center of the bridge. He turned back to the viewscreen and frowned. There was most definitely something wrong with their leader. He tensed as he heard Galvatrons' footsteps approaching him from behind.
"Report, Cyclonus."
Cyclonus was surprised by the calmness of his leaders' voice, pausing for a moment. "We are but a few astroseconds from Charr, mighty Galvatron."
Galvatron nodded. "Very well. Inform me when we are about to land."
"Yes, mighty Galvatron."
And with that, Galvatron left, calmly collecting his cannon and leaving the bridge. Cyclonus turned to look at the door through which Galvatron had left, as if staring at the door would yield some clue as to his strange behaviour. One of the Sweeps turned from his workstation.
"All right, what was that about?"
Scourge turned from his workstation placed next to the Sweep. "Beats me. Maybe Optimus Prime hit him over the head with something."
"That is enough," Cyclonus said, standing to his full height. "There is nothing wrong with mighty Galvatron, nor should we be speculating about him in such a way. There is a perfectly rational explanation for his behaviour; you will see."
Scourge shrugged and turned back to his workstation. "Whatever you say."
Cyclonus sat back down and resumed his station at the helm, looking out into the vastness of space through the viewscreen. He hoped there was a rational explanation.
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Soundwave inspected the weapon with extreme care, remembering what had happened to him the last time he had almost dropped the large orange cannon he now held in his hands. He still felt pain occasionally from the dent in his left arm. He had no idea that Galvatron could kick that high, but there was the painful evidence.
Of course, it never really mattered what Soundwaves' findings were. If the cannon was damaged (clearly from battle) then Galvatron would blame him and attack him. If there was no damage, Galvatron would accuse him of calling his leader a coward and attack him. If he were human, Soundwave would have sighed, reminiscing for the old days of Megatron ruling Cybertron and winning the war.
But he had done that enough since Megatrons' 'death' and Galvatrons' 'birth'. He had repeatedly tried subtly scanning Galvatrons' memory core for any traces of the leader he had once known, and had repeatedly been disappointed by his findings.
When Cyclonus had originally set off to find Galvatron, Soundwave had dared to feel hope once again. Hope that the Decepticons would regain the glory they had once held; that they would become a feared name in the galaxy once again, not the walking joke they were now, thanks to their 'mighty leader' Galvatron. Had his vocal processor allowed it, Soundwave would have sneered.
Galvatron slowly entered and proceeded to look around the room. Soundwave pretended not to notice, but the advantage of having a visor covering ones' optics was the ability to appear to be looking at one thing while observing another. Galvatron never slowly entered anywhere. He was always storming off to punish someone or attack a fellow Decepticon.
And on top of that, Galvatron was now leisurely walking around Soundwaves' quarters, inspecting the various holo-images he had there. He stopped at one of him (as Megatron) and the other Decepticons on Cybertron, toasting a victory. He turned towards Soundwave, a smile on his face. But not a smile that Soundwave was used to from Galvatron. Smiles from Galvatron were usually vindictive, and preceded an attack.
But this smile was almost… proud.
"Do you remember that day, Soundwave? One of our greatest victories."
Soundwave remained silent, continuing to pretend to inspect the cannon. He wasn't sure of what to do; if he stopped his work to respond, Galvatron may attack him for not concentrating. If he didn't answer, then he might attack him for not answering him. Galvatron walked towards him.
"Soundwave."
Soundwave cautiously brought his head up to face his leader.
"Have you found anything?" Galvatron asked, indicating the cannon that Soundwave held in his hands.
"No, mighty Galvatron," he responded, glad that his monotone voice didn't betray the caution he was feeling. He prepared himself for the inevitable attack.
"Excellent." Galvatron reached forward and took the cannon, locking it into position on his arm. Soundwave didn't know what to say; he didn't even know what to think. Galvatron turned to leave and stopped at the doorway. "Soundwave."
Soundwave paused before answering. "Yes?"
"We will have those victories again, old friend." He turned to face him, determination written on his features. "I swear it."
And then he was gone. If he were human, Soundwave would have blinked. As it was, he simply remained deathly still as he looked at the door, wondering what had just occurred. Had Galvatron just called him 'old friend'? Ever since his re-emergence as Galvatron, he had never referred to Soundwave as 'old friend', or even acknowledged their past relationship. That fact alone had eliminated all hope that Soundwave had once held of the Decepticons winning the war. But now…
He needed more information. He briefly considered going to Cyclonus with his suspicions, then dismissed the idea in a nanosecond. He would find out for himself if Megatron had returned, at least in mind if not in body.
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Cyclonus cautiously entered Galvatrons' chambers, unsure of what to expect of his leader. He immediately saw the cannon leaning against the wall, and looked around the room to find its' owner. He spotted him looking out over Charr through a viewport, his hands once again clasped behind his back.
Cyclonus had never seen his leader looking so controlled, so… calm. He prepared himself for the worst. Perhaps this was merely the calm before the storm, before Galvatron started blasting and crushing and smashing, screaming treason for their betrayal under the influence of the Hate Plague. Galvatron turned to look at him.
"Ah, Cyclonus. Come in, join me."
Cyclonus paused briefly before walking slowly over to his leader, standing next to him to look out over Charr. There was a silence before Galvatron spoke.
"Such an ugly planet, don't you think?"
Cyclonus remained silent.
"Nothing like the smooth, refined surface of Cybertron. A truly beautiful planet."
Cyclonus was speechless. He couldn't have spoken if he'd wanted to. Galvatron didn't seem to notice, as he continued on, looking out of the viewport as he did so.
"I know what you're thinking, Cyclonus."
Cyclonus turned to look at his leader, becoming very curious as to what was happening to Galvatron. Perhaps the Hate Plague had short circuited something in his main processor. Galvatron continued.
"You're thinking that I have been acting strangely since we returned."
Cyclonus turned to look out of the viewport, suddenly unafraid of what Galvatron would do to him. "Very strangely," he admitted.
Galvatron let out a short burst of laughter. "Indeed, Cyclonus. But I've been acting strangely since you pulled me out of that pool of lava on Thrull, haven't I?" He paused for a moment before continuing. "No, this is not strange that you see before you Cyclonus; it is a return to my old self."
Cyclonus turned to look at his leader once again. "…Mighty Galvatron?"
"The insanity that once plagued my systems, Cyclonus. It is gone."
Cyclonus' optics thinned. "Gone?"
Galvatron nodded.
"But… how?"
"I am unsure, Cyclonus. Ever since I was cured of that 'Hate Plague', I have felt calmer, stronger… stronger than ever before."
Cyclonus contemplatively rubbed his chin. "Perhaps… the Matrix?"
Galvatron looked at him with confusion, which slowly turned to amusement. "How ironic… by using his vaunted Autobot Matrix, Optimus Prime has sealed not only his own doom, but the doom of his entire race…"
Galvatron chuckled and turned back to the viewport. Cyclonus was unsure of what to do. It was as if he were caught in a whirlwind, unable to control anything going on around him. First, the chaos of the Hate Plague, followed by the return of Optimus Prime, and now...
Galvatron suddenly turned from the viewport and walked over to his cannon, fixing it into place on his arm. He pushed a button on a control panel.
"All Decepticons, report to Trypticons' main entrance." He walked to his door and stopped, turning to face Cyclonus.
"Come, Cyclonus; there is much to do."
Cyclonus smiled as he followed. He began to feel pride in being a Decepticon once again. He began to look forward to his next battle with the Autobots… with Ultra Magnus. He began to feel… hope.
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(A/N: So – you peeps enjoy? You peeps hate? Review.)