Sorry about the later than usual update, I fell asleep...
Chapter 163 - The High Protector
(JePOV)
Jetfire coasted over the mountains, lazily making his way toward Nevada. He noted a small aircraft paralleling him and scanned it idly.
Then he scanned it again. It couldn't be.
Soundwave.
He received a recognition ping before the aircraft veered away. A call to follow.
So he did, following the older bot. Straight to the Nevada base. Soundwave circled a few times before veering away. The message was plain.
He'd found them.
He'd found them and not one bot had discovered it. Then, as was the mech's habit, Soundwave disappeared, not a ping or echo behind him.
Jetfire immediately sent the alert to the aerial-bots, high alert, they'd been discovered. He fairly scrambled back to Washington. The Primes needed the alert. It was Soundwave, Jetfire sure as scrapping pitfire couldn't take that mech alone, and as good a fighters as the Primes were, there was nothing against the element of surprise.
They needed to be ready.
::. Jetfire to Primes, come in Primes!.:: he sent in a panic.
Nothing, nothing going through. Blasted fritzy comm!
A short flight and he landed, right beside Optimus Prime's vehicle mode.
"Why aren't you answering your comm Prime!" Jetfire snapped. "Nevada Base has been compromised!"
"I did not receive any comm," Optimus snapped back, immediately transforming to stand beside him.
"Where's me granddaughter?" Jetfire demanded, scanning the area, scanning the skies once more.
"In the seminars with Sentinel," Optimus replied flatly. They stood together, watching the area warily as the auto-bots in the area went on high alert.
Then then Soundwave appeared on his sensors again, Jetfire immediately snarling to himself, his weapons coming online. He'd led the bot straight to the Primes!
Except Soundwave was making no effort to hide now, that didn't seem right...
To his shock, the older mech landed, transforming and landing directly in front of the Prime, he bent to a knee and stayed absolutely still as the auto-bots roared up, transforming and holding the mech in their cannon sights.
Soundwave didn't move save to dip his head to the Prime.
"Lord Prime," Soundwave stated in his monotone. "Soundwave reporting: request audience with Lady High Protector."
Jetfire blinked. A small bolt fell from his frame, bouncing and ringing clearly on the asphalt beneath his feet.
(OPOV)
Soundwave was kneeling in front of him. Not one of his weapons online. No blades showing, no cannons. Nothing. His only movement had been to look up as the silence was broken by a bolt dropping.
The bot had even spoken his request in english.
Not that that was too much of a surprise, Soundwave was very much renowned for his adaptability.
"The Lady High Protector is presently engaged," Optimus finally rumbled. "She will be available in thirty eight breem."
Soundwave nodded and rose, strode to the wall and turned, transforming into one of his multitude of alt-modes. In this case, the stereo system that vorns ago, Jazz had been privately envying.
Ironhide strode to stand beside him, looking just as shocked.
"We're going to have to give Brains a few rell of high-grade," 'Hide finally stated with a snort.
Optimus shot a wry look at his old Weapons Master and commed Ratchet.
The medic was striding toward them the next moment, looking... bizarrely not sour for once. Bonding to Arcee had obviously instilled far more patience in the grumpy medic. Not that it was official yet, of course.
"Will you see to Soundwave, please," Optimus rumbled to the medic. Ratchet nodded and strode to the stereo, gently tapping the top.
It took a minute, but Soundwave transformed again, looking around himself impassively.
"Medic's scans unnecessary," he stated.
"I'm going to scan you regardless," Ratchet informed the mech flatly. Soundwave nodded and stood stock still once more, watching the medic. Optimus watched in interest as Ratchet performed his scans and scowled. "You're in dire need of some repairs, your conversion matrix is ready to quit, you have tears all down your protoform and... a dent in your spark-chamber!?" Ratchet finished with a howl. "I am taking you to the med-bay. Now."
"Medic's attentions: un-"
"You. Are going to the med-bay. Now." Ratchet snarled.
"Medic's attentions: unnecessary. Damage: minimal."
Optimus shook his head sadly, a dented spark-chamber was not minimal. That Soundwave considered it minimal was indication yet again of his former brother's true cruelty.
"Audience with Lady High Protector: Paramount." Soundwave added patiently. At least, he sounded like he was being patient. Sort of.
"I do not suggest so much as transforming like that," Ratchet stated sternly. "I'm taking you to the med-bay, the Lady High Protector will come to you."
"Audience -"
"I said Kae will come see you!" Ratchet snapped. "You'll be conscious by the time she's finished up anyway, now come along!"
Soundwave stayed stock-still for another moment before nodding. Optimus transformed his trailer to accommodate the mech and folded into his alt-mode, patiently linking up and waiting.
"Alternate transportation unnecessary." Soundwave stated.
"After travelling with Ratchet for the past few hundred vorn, even as Prime I know better than to argue with the medic." Optimus rumbled patiently.
Soundwave shot what Optimus could swear was an amused look before settling lightly into the trailer.
A rapid drive, if only to keep up with Ratchet and Optimus pulled into the entrance bay, Ironhide close behind.
"This way," Ratchet commanded gruffly, Soundwave nodded and rose, following the medic across the corridor and visibly ignoring the shocked stares from the human soldiers. Wordlessly, Soundwave laid down on the berth Ratchet gestured him toward.
Silence.
"Gratitude: Lord High Protector re-designated." Soundwave stated quietly.
"So it's true!?" Optimus rumbled in shock. "If I had made Ironhide the Lord High Protector so many vorn ago you would have been an auto-bot!?"
Soundwave looked at him for a moment.
"Probability: Sixty-eight percent."
"Sixty-eight?" Ironhide rumbled with a frown.
"Thirty-two percent probability: Assassination of Optimus Prime by Ironhide of Sigma three for audacity of making born soldier forced leader." Soundwave stated.
Ironhide snorted in amusement.
"Even if I were to die, the Auto-bot cause would continue on," Optimus rumbled with a frown.
"Probability: fifteen percent. Reason: Survival of Optimus Prime driving force of Auto-bot resistance."
"True," Ratchet murmured, nodding as he scanned the mech.
"He is a psychic," Ironhide snorted.
"Negative. Telepathic ability: useful misconception."
(MPOV)
"Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening," Sentinel stated gently, smiling around himself. This human audience were applauding and cheering at the end of the seminar. Presences winked out of the mindspace and as was rapidly becoming habit: I waited for the last, made sure everyone was securely in their own bodies before exiting myself, shutting down the systems.
The humans were trouping out by now, Sentinel had a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"Your mate wishes me to escort you back to headquarters," my teacher stated gently.
"He's not here?" I murmured in surprise, reaching for my mate. He was at headquarters, and mildly worried over something. What, I couldn't tell quite yet.
"Indeed," Sentinel nodded. "Very few of the bots are present here, it would seem that something of an irregular circumstance has occurred."
"Meaning?" I asked curiously, rising and following Sentinel out the doors. I finalized shutting down the central and locked the lecture hall up properly.
"That is for your mate to inform you of," Sentinel stated airily.
"You seriously aren't playing 'formal designation roundabout' again are you?" I frowned.
"No."
"You're refusing to tell me so you don't get whacked upside the helm." I stated, rolling my optics.
"... Maybe..." Sentinel hedged, transforming and rolling out.
Just as fast as that panther firetruck would go without his lights and sirens clearing the traffic.
::. You know generally an escort waits up for the escortee.:: I sent irritably.
::. Only when the escort is certain of their safety.:: Sentinel replied cheerfully.
::. Okay seriously, how bad is it?.:: I sighed, shrugging into my mate's alt-mode and hurrying to catch up to the massive firetruck three blocks ahead.
::. It is not that bad.:: Sentinel stated patiently.
::. That's the same tone you lot use when it comes to everyone calling me 'mistress'.:: I glowered.
Sentinel said absolutely nothing.
~Optimus?~ I murmured warily.
~My Kae?~ he murmured back. I could feel the sense of his love for me pressed to the forefront.
~What did you do?~ I murmured in amusement, he only used that tactic for two instances, either when I was growing depressed, or when he had done something.
~Well...~
::. Optimus.:: I murmured wryly on our private comm.
::. Well we needed to settle a bet...:: Optimus replied on the Primary.
::. You're hedging again, my beloved.::
::. I needed a High Protector.::
I stopped dead in the middle of the entrance bay.
::. Why not Ironhide-.::
::. Not it!.:: Ironhide rumbled immediately.
::. -or Prowl or...::
::. The Lord High Protector and the Prime are co-rulers of Cybertron, by default you were to be co-ruler beside me anyway...:: Optimus murmured consolingly.
I transformed, and out of sight of the med-bay clapped a hand to my face. Sentinel was looking at me curiously.
::. Alright, now what does this have to do with med-bay?.:: I asked in resignation.
::. Well, Soundwave is here to pledge his allegiance to the Lady High Protector.:: Optimus rumbled with a small grin. ::. Apparently his first allegiance is to the High Protector, not to Megatron himself.::
I rubbed my faceplates tiredly.
::. And it is now too late for me to argue the point.:: I sent tiredly.
::. Little bit.:: Ironhide grinned.
::. You realize I'm going to get you for this later, yes?.:: I sent threateningly.
::. You do not mean that.::
::. Oh I do, now somebody send me the damned info-packet on the duties of the High Protector so I'm not walking even more blindly into this!.:: I commanded irritably.
Beside me, Sentinel began laughing, sending me a massive information packet of the rights and duties of the Lord High Protector. I slumped against the wall and began processing it as quickly as I could, burying my face into my hands and groaning.
::. If you hated me this much, why the scrap did you bond me?.:: I sent with a groan.
Sentinel was laughing harder the next second.
::. The position of Lord High Protector is a highly coveted one.:: he informed me cheerfully.
::. You didn't send that packet around much did you.:: I stated irritably ::. Great. Well then Sentinel, lead me to my doom.::
::. It is not a doom...:: Sentinel informed me cheerfully.
::. It says I'm supposed to handle everything involved with the protection of Cybertron, including all military affairs, preside over the major trials for treason and major offences and personally execute bots found guilty of said offences!.::
::. Those are the worst of the duties.:: Sentinel sent in amusement ::. There are perks.::
::. Oh right, dealing with politicians, deciding where what and when to build things and sorting out the civil upsets. Where precisely in that time am I allowed to simply be Mikaela Archangel Banes, bonded mate of Optimus Prime?.:: I demanded flatly, glaring at him.
::. Well there are the public ceremonies-.:: Arcee started consolingly.
::. Public ceremonies!?.:: I shrieked ::. Doom Sentinel! It is a doom!.::
We made it just to the point where the sensors would open the med-bay doors and I synced my processors, pulling my composure together enough to deal with yet another thing. Sentinel shot me an approving look as I straightened, striding into the bay with my head held high.
I allowed some of my surprise to show however, when my optics met the visor of the Decepticon on the med-berth. Evidently, Soundwave was one of the bots I'd traded fire with in Chicago.
(SePOV)
Sentinel watched with some self-admitted worry as Kae and Soundwave stared at each other. The two of them had been staring at each other for the past half breem.
Finally, Soundwave turned his face to look at Optimus.
"Neglecting to inform Lady High Protector of status before duties call her attention: highly illogical." he stated in a monotone.
"Well I'm glad somebody agrees with me," Kae grumbled, settling down on her usual bench. "Should I be apologizing that you and I were trading fire in Chicago?"
"Apology: unnecessary. Reason: alliances formerly opposing. Femme Prime: Highly skilled aerial-bot. "
"Fair enough," Kae nodded musingly. She settled her face onto a hand. "Are you and I going to have difficulties being as I'm a former human?"
"Difficulties: unlikely. Lady High Protector possessing fully Cybertronian frame and spark-signature: helpful." Soundwave replied blandly.
"So what tipped me off then?" Kae asked with a wry look.
"High Protector: still withholding personal irritation. Reasoning: Not fully clear."
"You shouldn't have to bear witness to me reaming my mate out for not telling me what new titles he's decided to glue to my aft."
Soundwave glanced around himself.
"Difference between former and current High Protector: monumental. Serving current High Protector: promising. Femme Prime: good candidate."
"Well, that makes one of you," Kae grumbled softly, burying her face in a hand.
"Restatement: Femme Prime excellent candidate."
"Reasoning?" Mikaela asked in amusement.
"Reasoning: Megatronix highly overconfident."
"So what brings you to our neighbourhood?" Mikaela asked wryly.
"Reason: pledge loyalty to Lady High Protector."
"Yes but why?"
"Soundwave primary function: optics and auditory receptors of Lady High Protector. Secondary function: Advisor."
Kae blinked.
"So you've completely ditched Megatron to serve me!?"
"Statement: Correct."
"And I can trust you to help ensure I don't make the same mistakes Megatron did?"
"Statement: Correct."
"And how am I to trust that you are not still serving Megatron?" Mikaela asked warily, narrowing her optics at Soundwave.
The bot in question sat up somewhat more, looking around himself.
"Restatement: Femme Prime will make extraordinary Lady High Protector. Reason: already understands correct questions to ask. Trustworthiness: to be earned. Immediate assuaging of worry: Examine spark."
The med-bay sat in absolute silence for a moment before Kae rose, striding to sit on the berth beside Soundwave. The mech's chest-plates opened and Mikaela extended a gentle cable to connect, a few moments and she nodded, withdrawing.
"Well, Ratchet has already seen to your repairs, let's get you settled into your quarters. You won't be much of an advisor if you fall out of the sky in your recharge." she stated gently.
Soundwave nodded and swung his legs over the edge of the berth, rising and waiting impassively until Mikaela gestured him to follow.
The med-bay sat in dead silence after they left.
"Well, that went well," Sentinel stated cheerfully.
"Wait for it," Ironhide snorted.
Two and a half breem and Mikaela returned to the med-bay, a deep thundercloud scowl bending her faceplates. She signalled the doors to the med-bay to close behind her and remain closed. Then, she simply stood there, arms crossed and glaring.
"I'm waiting," she growled softly.
"For?" Sentinel asked cheerfully.
"For an explanation you fragging glitches!" the femme shouted. "What in Primus' name gave you the slagging idea to make me the Lady High Protector!?"
"You will be the co-ruler of Cybertron-" Sentinel began patiently.
"What the scrap gave you that idea?" Mikaela snarled at him.
"You are the host-bearer of the All-spark, the bonded mate of the Prime and when the time comes you will be the one to heal Cybertron, it is natural that you will be co-ruler," Sentinel stated patiently.
"No, it is natural that someone better suited to serve as the High Protector be chosen!" Mikaela snarled. "What the fuck do I know about the Cybertronian military's tactics!?"
"Welp, being as we're gonna have to decimate most of the Cybertronian military force to protect Cybertron, that don't really matter niece." Ironhide chimed in gruffly.
Mikaela buried her face in her hands.
"I hate you all, I'm going to bed, and I'm going to pray that when I wake up this was just another gods damned chargefright." she groaned.
"An excellent idea," Sentinel stated cheerfully. "It will not be so bad in the early joor of the orn."
"Hate you all."
"Kae," Optimus rumbled gently.
Archangel turned back and looked at her mate irritably.
"Soundwave is renowned for many things, his adaptability, his intuition, and his refusal to lie. He is correct, my Kae, you will be an extraordinary Lady High Protector."
"You couldn't have given me fair warning?" she demanded irritably.
"Not and settle the bet properly!" Ironhide chimed in cheerfully.
"What would have happened if he'd shown up right in the middle of the seminar?"
"He did."
Mikaela buried her face into her hands again, Optimus strode forward and gently peeled her hands away, collecting them in his own.
"You have already stated that your priority is the protection of this planet, the rebirth of Cybertron and her protection as well. Being the Lady High Protector simply formalizes it, my Kae."
Mikaela looked up at him for a long moment before venting a sigh.
"Fine. But I am not executing people!"
What do you think my dear sweet Bee, suitable Soundwave? :D