Author's Notes: Well this is one heck of a long chapter. But at least it is done. This is also the last update of this month! I will be spending my time finishing the second half of this bad boy. Thanks again for everyone's support and understanding. Hiatuses are not fun but they are sometimes very essential. As always, I love reading what everyone thinks, so please comment, favorite, or all of the above! Please enjoy, and see you all in August!


Soundwave

The name floated like poison gas around the divided party, threatening to choke their intakes. Arcee shattered the silence with a snarl. "Arachnid? How is she still alive? Why didn't you Con's terminate her when you had the chance?"

Thunderblast crossed her servos at Arcee's comment and gave her a sideways smirk. "Uh oh, I see this one has a score to settle with our traitor! Vengeance and murderous intent, I can get behind that, gorgeous." She said before giving Arcee a flirtatious wink.

Soundwave moved right along from whatever Thunderblast was about to start. For context's sake, he answered the original question posed from Arcee. "Arachnid's stasis pod was kept on display in the Nemesis as a memento, after we destroyed your first base. But she escaped and regained control over the Insecticon swarm during a dark Energon related incident on the ship. I dispatched her and the entire swarm to one of Cybertron's desolate moons, via a Spacebridge. I expected her to simply run out of Energon."

"Funny you should mention Energon," Demolisher said. "Because she and her swarm have been draining our remaining stores."

"As in, at an unnatural rate," Thunderblast added. "Aside from the wonton violence and self-appointed dictatorship…. there is something really wrong with Arachnid."

"More so then usual?" Smokescreen ventured.

"She's unstable," Demolisher explained. "As is her Insecticon army. It is like they are on some unknown chemical enhancement that depletes their Energon and drives them crazy. But none of us saw them take anything, aside from our Energon."

"And we got out just in time!" Thunderblast said with an exaggerated shutter. "Whatever had their tailpipes in a twist, was starting to spread to other Cons and troopers under her control."

"That confirms what we have been seeing on Cybertron," Bumblebee said. He was the first to approach the Decepticon group, coming to a stop just behind Soundwave. "This chemical enhancement you're describing. We have been fighting trooper Cons that are high on the stuff. They are desperate to get as much Energon as they can. Whatever drug they are using must take a lot of energy to fuel."

"These, drugged Cons…" Knockout began to mutter. It had been the first he had spoken since the standoff started. Soundwave recognized the guilty edge in his ex-teammate's tone the moment the words left his voice box. He turned and saw the red bot's stature shrunken. He was also actively avoiding Soundwave's gaze. "Would you describe this as a sort of… I don't know, zombie like state?"

Soundwave's optics narrowed. "You have something to add, Knockout?"

Knockout let slip a nervous chuckle. "It is funny, you mentioned that 'Dark Energon related Incident' that took place on the Nemesis… the same fated night Arachnid escaped. Well I, under Starscream's very demanding orders I may mention, may have had something to do with it."

Bumblebee groaned before Soundwave could. "What did you do, Knockout?"

"It wasn't expected!" Knockout exclaimed in his own defense. "I was experimenting with that Synthetic Energon formula Ratchet created before it was completed. The formula was unstable at the time. We, I mean, Starscream made me add Dark Energon to our test subject Silas, in hopes of having Megatron control him. Needless to say, it got a bit out of hand. One thing led to another… and half the ship was turned into Terracon zombies. In the chaos, Arachnid must have contracted the effect…"

"Which she then spread to her Insecticon army when I Bridged her away," Soundwave said with a shake of his helm. He resisted the urge to reprimand himself for the error. Or strangle Knockout. Whichever came first.

"However she escaped, she's now on Cybertron," Bumblebee said urgently. "She is spreading this, virus or whatever it is to her new troops, and newly arriving refugees can be next! Soundwave, how did you handle the outbreak on the Nemesis?"

"Quarantine and termination of the infected," Soundwave said simply. The yellow bot's face plates fell in response to his answer. "It is the most efficient means of ending this."

"But if innocent bots get infected…" Bumblebee began to protest.

"Then we just terminate Arachnid before it gets to that point." Arcee snapped.

"That is an agreeable compromise." Soundwave said. "We terminate Arachnid, and as a contingency plan, Shockwave can create an antidote if one can be made," Soundwave retained his neutral air as he turned his attention to Bumblebee. "Shockwave, is in Autobot custody, is he not?"

Worryingly, Bumblebee did seem to catch the edge in his voice, raising an optic ridge at Soundwave. He was so out of practice with expressions and voices, it was troubling. For the second time that day he silently wished he had his visor to mask his expressions. He had no idea how much he had relied on the device until it was gone.

"Yeah, Shockwave is in our custody. How did you know that?" Bumblebee wondered accusingly.

"It was an obvious assumption. The Autobots control most of Cybertron after all. However, I will need to speak with Shockwave as soon as possible. In regard to this Dark Energon Virus, that is." Soundwave added, tone flat, and refraining from glancing back at Rhea.

Megatron's words were ringing in the back of his processor. 'The Autobots would never sanction the taking of a human from Earth. Their morality gets in the way of what is right, ironically enough.… Without someone like Shockwave to help you in your endeavors, your human will be dead within the blink of an optic.'

He needed Shockwave to find a means of extending Rhea's life and maintaining her existence on Cybertron. If this plan were to succeed, the Autobots couldn't find out. To begin, he had to get Shockwave out of the Autobot's clutches. But one thing at a time. Cybertron had to be recovered from Arachnid before any other plans could begin.

He addressed his fellow Decepticons before Bumblebee had time to get too suspicious. "Despite the Autobot's foolish actions regarding the New Council, it would seem our forces are limited. We will need the Autobot's superior numbers to proceed."

"And we'll need the intel you promised." Arcee reminded him coldly.

Soundwave pursed his lip plates. "We will continue further plans once I have synced my processor with the Renegade." He peered to Thunderblast expectantly.

"Right this way, Master!" she sang. She jumped out of the way towards the Renegade's ramp, making a dramatic sweeping motion with her servos.

Soundwave carried on towards his ship, the Autobot's following close and his soldiers falling in line behind him. His ship, and his soldiers. The concept was so foreign to him. He added this onto the pile for him to process later and instead focused on the task at hand.

The interior of the Renegade was like the Nemesis. Gangways lit with dim illuminations. Cargo doors locked with access panels and the occasional trooper stalking the path. It was all very familiar.

Thunderblast skipped along the gangway as she led him and his party to the Bridge. Every Decepticon typing at control panels halted their duties to bow or salute to Soundwave. It was one more reason he wished he could hide behind his visor… No, that old persona no longer fit what the Decepticons needed him to be. A hidden face was more suited for a spy master, not a war lord. He just had to be more self-aware and not let any weakness show. Every Decepticon would be looking to him, hanging on his every word. The fact he just started talking after four million years would not make this any easier.

Once at the main control panel he unfurled the data cables from their housing and connected to the ship's mainframe. He had the passcodes, gifted to him from Megatron, so it took him only a fraction of a nanoklik to have full access. The ship didn't have a Spacebridge, but it did have a long-range Groundbridge when docked on a planetary body. That was fine. He had access to the Autobot's Spacebridge after all.

He read through the logs, and it seemed the Renegade crew had arrived so close to Earth thanks to a Decepticon Spacebridge in Kaon. But it was a one-way trip for them, having no idea if they would have access to a Spacebridge to return home. Things must have been very bad back on Cybertron for them to take such a risk, just to answer his distress call.

"Thank fragging Primus! You do have the access codes!" Thunderblast seemed genuinely relieved. "Arachnid can't get her freaky servos on more than half of the Kaon underground because she doesn't have the passcodes. She's depleted all the Energon stores in the surface vaults and got mighty aggravated when she couldn't get deeper."

"And that's when she started hitting our Energon stores." Bulkhead added bitterly.

"Oh no, poor Autobots!" Thunderblast gasped an intake at him, her optics wide with sarcastic worry. "Whatever will you Autobots do now, even though you have full access to the replenished Cybertronian mines, and of course your hoarding of the perfected synthetic Energon formula! Fraggers." She exaggerated the last word with a rude gesture.

"Watch yourself Con," Wheeljack warned her. "That mouth of yours is going to get you shot."

"Oh, I've come to peace with that," Thunderblast waved them off, her optics realigning to find Arcee. "So, what, you're like a hand-to-hand kind of fighter, or more of a distance sniper? I like 'em both, myself. Maybe you can give me some pointers sometime." She said with an overly friendly grin.

Arcee frowned. "Keep flirting with me Con, and you may get more then you wanted."

With his new connection to the ship's logs, Soundwave quickly caught himself up on important details Thunderblast had left out. There were a few other Decepticon ships that had escaped Arachnid's clutches, and were wandering aimlessly outside of Cybertron's orbit. He would have to retrieve those ships and the troops they contained before landing on Cybertron to face whatever chemically enhanced horrors Arachnid's army had become.

'Master Soundwave,' Laserbeak's voice echoed in his mind. 'Rhea is worrying over you.'

'Inform her all is well. The Decepticon and Autobot alliance is still stable.' He responded simply.

There was a pause. 'Without the transistor, how will I relay that message?'

Scrap. With everything else on his mind Soundwave had forgotten. Not one day on the job as the Decepticon leader and he was already slipping.

Then Laserbeak spoke up again before Soundwave could offer any suggestions. 'Disregard that previous conundrum. The young adolescent Raf, the one with the optic visors has offered his computation device for me to communicate through.' Another beat of silence. 'Rhea has received the message. She has also taken this moment to remind you of the terms of her alliance with us and has emphasized my own words I stated a few weeks previous, and I quote, "This is the chance to start over with a more open and honest communication moving forward."'

"So how about those details you promised, your 'lordship'." Wheeljack said sarcastically.

With Rhea's reminder now ringing in his mind, Soundwave finally relented. "Arachnid is in the Kaon underground. It is a series of bunkers and connected tunnels that existed long before the war. There are powerful weapons and Energon there, and I am sure that is her ultimate goal. But she will be hindered in this objective, as she does not have the Decepticon passcodes."

"But you do," Bumblebee said. "You can get into these stores?" Soundwave couldn't tell, but the look the yellow Scout gave him was not suspicious like the others. It was a hopeful gleam. It was like the Scout was proud of him for offering up this information willingly. This annoyed Soundwave at once.

"I can," Soundwave confirmed. "If Arachnid can be distracted, I can gain access to the Kaon Underground from its many different entrances. It would be impossible for her to guard them all, even if she knew where they all were, which I am confident she does not."

"If this intel can be trusted," Ultra Magnus intoned with a less then confident inflection. "We have the numbers to provide a very affective distraction."

"We have more ships around Cybertron that can be called on," Soundwave added. "Our forces are limited, but we have extra artillery to contribute. Arachnid's forces may be chemically enhanced, but that will only get them so far. If we maintain a distance while dispatching her, we will not contract the effects of this dark Energon virus. And I will discuss a cure with Shockwave when we return to Cybertron."

"This has been the most productive plan we have had in a while!" Thunderblast informed them all with a grin. "Before, the plan had been 'run around the Kaon Underground screaming.' This one has a cohesive step by step process I can get behind! Good call, Master Soundwave."

"The Council will be informed of our alliance and this plan so they may help facilitate the troops on our side." Ultra Magnus said.

Soundwave fought the urge to roll his optics. "If this will ease your processors, then I won't protest it any further. Just assure your 'New Council' stays out of the way."

Knockout, who had been quiet since the standoff outside, released a snicker, mostly to himself. "That will most likely be a problem. You know Bureaucrats. They aren't happy unless they have their servos in everything."

Ultra Magnus, who stood by Knockout, ignored his commentary and typed fast into a data pad. He then handed it to the now confused ex-Con. "Upload this to the Cybertronian Council on my behalf and monitor for a response. We will move forward once they answer."

Knockout's previous snark deflated when he was presented with the tedious task. "Sure. Not like I, as an Ex-Con had anything to contribute to this discussion. Put me on the boring transmission work." But with data pad in servo Knockout left the bridge, mumbling regrets about leaving his old faction. He made sure to be loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Uh," Bulkhead dragged on past the awkward silence Knockout left them in. "You Cons wouldn't want him back, would ya?" he offered lightsparkedly to break the tension.

Soundwave didn't bother answering the Autobot's quip. "Thunderblast," he said, and she snapped to attention. She had been ogling the Autobot two-wheeler before. "Signal our ships around Cybertron to prepare for an assault on Kaon. They are to be ready before I arrive."

Thunderblast squealed as she failed to contain her excitement. "Assault! Music to my auditories! At this point I don't care what we shoot, as long as I get to use the ship's fusion cannon on something." She skittered over to a control panel to execute his command.

The Autobots were staring at him expectantly, though he had little to add to the meeting. In fact, after so many optics focused on him and his naked face all he wanted to do was find some quiet corner and hide. It had been eons since he had been a gladiator in the Pits, the focal point of adoration, and even then, he had a reinforced battle mask.

As a compromise to himself, he would reconvene with Laserbeak and Rhea in private. He had earned some quiet after this solar cycle. "Inform me, Autobots when your Council allows you to participate in this raid. I suspect we will be ready solar cycles before you receive an answer, if this council is as productive as the last one." He said before he followed Knockout's path to leave the Bridge. Not at all to his surprise, the Autobots followed him, as if they were all magnetized. He assumed this was according to some plan he had not been privy to. One of them had to activate the stasis cuffs to knock him out if need be. He hoped they would not be too disappointed when the devices failed to work at some inopportune moment in the future. He had discreetly deactivated his and Laserbeak's before Demolisher had challenged him to a fight.

"You're not staying on your new ship?" Arcee ventured with an arched optic ridge.

"I need to retrieve my mini con," Soundwave explained simply. "He needs to dock and refuel." He added when the first statement was met with obvious skepticism. He needed to assess Rhea's current condition as well. He realized it may be more of a challenge to ditch the Autobots then he first presumed it to be.

The ramp to the ship lowered, and a blur of Thunderblast's colors flashed past. "Message sent, Master! I'll be back at my post in a nanoklik by the way!" she reported and hurried down the ramp.

The lumbering stomps of Demolisher followed her. "No Commander! Do not bring any more organic pets aboard!" he hissed at her.

"Just one human, Demolisher, you won't even know it's there!" she sang back, already having left him in the dust.

"Absolutely not!" Arcee snarled at Thunderblast's retreating form. She jumped off the ramp and transformed before she hit the ground, screeching after Thunderblast in hot pursuit.

"Got your back, chief!" Smokescreen hollered after Arcee, and soon was speeding off on four wheels to provide backup.

Soundwave noted this new crew would take some getting used to, and probably a lot of training. He added that onto his growing schedule. He then became aware of Ultra Magnus' glare that threatened to burn a hole in the side of his helm. "Care to reign in your soldiers, or is this how the Decepticon ranks usually operate?" The Autobot commander wondered with a tone of sharp sarcasm. Soundwave didn't even reply with a look. Ultra Magnus finally left with a deep vent, the Wreckers in tow.

A firm hand came to rest on Soundwave's shoulder. The culprit was the only Autobot still standing on his ship. Bumblebee. "For what it's worth, I think you made the right call."

Soundwave shrugged out of the Autobot's grasp. "Regarding this alliance? It is a means to an end. Both our factions require the other to move forward. I would not assume such an alliance will last much longer than it is necessary to terminate Arachnid." He informed Bumblebee coldly. He started down the ramp, Rhea and Laserbeak his intended destination.

"Only if we let it fall apart," Bumblebee said to his back. "This may be the opportunity Optimus worked so hard to achieve, when he was with us."

That statement successfully stopped Soundwave in his tracks. He turned to the Scout, who wore a somber smile. "The Prime is no more?"

Bumblebee nodded. "He sure did leave us with massive strut prints to try and fill. But, because of him, Cybertron is alive and well. He trusted us, all of us, to make the right choices regarding the future. I'm at least going to try my best."

Soundwave lingered on the information. Megatron's oldest enemy was no more. The holder of the last of Primus' essence, the power of the Primes, had gone to the All Spark. How would Megatron feel regarding this turn of events. How did he feel about it?

"Who did he bestow the Matrix of Leadership?" Soundwave asked.

"No one," Bumblebee answered with a shrug. "No more Primes, no more Primus appointed leaders. It's just us now."

It was a new era indeed…

He wasn't sure why, but something about the news did stir something in him. It was far from sadness, which Bumblebee clearly still harbored. Despite the new Council, perhaps there could be room for an improved Cybertron. It seemed the Prime had believed in it, enough to offer up his life to see it done.

"If Autobot interference stays clear of any future Decepticon activity," Soundwave began thoughtfully, "Then further conflict between our factions could be avoided." He offered and then left before the Scout had a chance to comment.

Soundwave returned to the Military compound. He found Rhea with the other human youths. Laserbeak, ever vigilant by Rhea's side, also seemed hard at work with the young human Raf, connected to his computation device.

"So, it's like a compression language you use?" Raf asked Laserbeak, seeming extremely interested.

"Affirmative," Laserbeak said through the computer. "The fast frequency allows for far more information to be communicated through shorter intervals." He gave a short squawk, "Translated, that sound was word for word our entire previous five-minute conversation. Though not many are alive who still understand it, aside from my Master of course."

"Speaking of," Miko interrupted, and motioned at Soundwave's approach.

"How did it go?" Rhea asked eagerly and turned with some effort in her wheelchair.

Before he could answer, he was jolted to a stop when someone snatched him by the lower servo. Wheeljack had been the culprit. "You're getting way to close to the short pikes there chief," the Wrecker informed him, his optics giving off a warning glow.

Soundwave slapped his servo away and mirrored the glare. Laserbeak flew up from his place by the humans and took a defensive stance by his side. "Only because we are temporarily aligned, will I offer you a single warning. Touch me again and I will relive you of that servo."

"Hey hey!" Jack yelled from the ground. "Come on guys, we're all doing so well. Let's not let a fist fight ruin things."

"Wouldn't dream of it, kid," Wheeljack growled, without taking his optics off Soundwave. "But I've known enough Cons in my day to not let my guard down. Plus, this Con cheap shotted me from behind the last time we tussled. Can't blame me for not trusting him."

"Is there a problem, Master?" Demolisher asked. Though Soundwave didn't break his focus from Wheeljack, he saw Demolisher and a few Vehicons moving in to provide him back up. From across the base, Ultra Magnus and Bulkhead noticed the standoff and hurried over.

A yellow servo rested on both Soundwave and Wheeljack's shoulders. Bumblebee stood between them with a pleading look. He turned to Soundwave expectantly.

Soundwave vented. "No, Demolisher. There is no problem." He said at last.

Bumblebee mouthed a thank you, then patted Wheeljack a few times to pacify him. "I've got things here."

Wheeljack scowled at Soundwave one last time before stalking off towards Bulkhead and Ultra Magnus. "After this is over, you owe me a rematch, Con." He said over his shoulder.

The tension between the parties was then forgotten when Thunderblast stumbled back to base. Soundwave's inherited Second-in-Command was worse for wear to say the least. She had a split lip plate that leaked a steady stream of Energon. She wavered every other step, clearly disoriented. He concluded someone had punched her in the face plates hard. She was also without a human which had been her original reason to leave. Despite all this, Thunderblast was smiling.

"What happened to you?" Demolisher inquired with a raised optic ridge.

Thunderblast gave the returning Arcee a Energon stained smirk. "I found out what kind of fighter she is. A hand-to-hand kind of bot." She licked away the blue trickle from her lip plates. "It was worth it."

"Ug," Demolisher said with a roll of his optics.

"Can I have a moment?" Soundwave asked of Bumblebee while he motioned towards Rhea.

Bumblebee considered, glancing down at the girl in question. "Yeah, though I can't really go to far. You understand."

Soundwave was annoyed but didn't put up anymore of a fight. Bumblebee called the three other humans away. Finally, somewhat alone, he knelt beside her.

"Things could be worse." She offered.

"How are you holding up?" he inquired softly.

"Surprisingly well," she wore a sincere grin to emphasize the point. "I forgot what being around other teens was like… Wasn't really allowed to leave the house back in CA. Plus, Raf and Laserbeak really hit it off. The best news being Agent Fowler had my case reopened. No matter how much my foster parents complain I'm a ward of the State until further notice."

"So, you are safe here?" he asked.

Rhea hesitated. It was troubling how easily she could read him. "I think so. You aren't going anywhere, are you?"

"There is a possibility," he informed her. "If we strike before the usurping force on Cybertron gains word of our alliance, our chance of success is almost assured. This requires me to return to Cybertron as soon as possible."

"Then I'm coming too." She stated.

"I insist you do not. It is too dangerous. And you are injured."

"What if you get hurt?" she demanded, her voice and hands trembling. "How am I supposed to help you while I'm stuck here on Earth?"

He gently offered one of his fingers for her to cling to. "This is not good-bye. It is far from it. I need you to regain your strength and remain where I know you are safe."

"But we're a team," she complained, holding tight to him. "Everyone I've ever cared about has gone somewhere I couldn't follow… and you already left once. Please don't leave me behind again."

Soundwave tried to maintain his composure in the face of her plea. He wanted to give in and make her happy. He knew what he spoke before was the truth. She would be in danger if she accompanied him. She was still recovering and would make an easy target. Plus, he was sure the Autobots would have a few words to say against the concept of taking a human along to Cybertron.

He glanced Bumblebee a few paces away, very much in eavesdropping range. "I will… see what I can do. It may not be exactly what you want, but I am sure you will still be able to assist me."

Rhea chewed on the inside of her lip, glancing Bumblebee in the same way. She nodded in understanding.

"How is this fair?" Thunderblast suddenly demanded. Soundwave looked up, and saw she was staring longingly at him and Rhea and obviously complaining to Demolisher. "Lord Soundwave gets a pet human, but I can't have one?"

"Boo hoo," Demolisher dismissed, and stomped over to Soundwave. He stood up from Rhea's side, sensing something urgent in how Demolisher approached. He gave Bumblebee a suspicious stair. Bumblebee seemed distracted by whatever Raf was telling him, but Demolisher still hesitated with him so close. Soundwave nodded for him to report regardless. "I just received word from the engine room, my Lord. We, greatly miscalculated our fuel situation for the journey here. Our Energon stores won't get us much past Earth's orbit."

"Yeeeah," Thunderblast included in a whisper. "The group that escaped in the Renegade are far from what you'd call a seasoned crew. Things have been mismanaged. Me and Demolisher have done our best, but Arachnid had taken so much Energon we didn't make off with much."

For the first time, Soundwave noticed the dimmed light of Demolisher and Thunderblast's bio lines. The same went for the Vehicons. Many troopers bore easily treatable wounds that had been patched but not necessarily fixed.

"What are your personal Energon levels currently?" Soundwave questioned.

Demolisher seemed embarrassed to say. Thunderblast made a wincing expression before she spoke. "Not great…"

"We'll have to use one of the mines on Earth while we wait on the Autobots to mobilize." Soundwave said, remotely accessing the Renegade's files to see how many mining drones were on board.

There were none.

"Megatron, didn't happen to leave any mining equipment here on Earth, did he?" Thunderblast ventured hopefully.

In fact, he had not. It was a problem to say the least. But he couldn't rely on what Megatron may have left here on Earth. He was the Decepticon leader now. He had to come up with a plan.

"Um, Soundwave?" Bumblebee said.

Soundwave was annoyed to find the Scout fully turned towards them. He had obviously overheard the problem.

"What's that, Sunshine?" Thunderblast demanded. "Going to rub it in our face plates? Laugh it up now. How have the tables turned? Now you Autobots are the ones flush with Energon and we are scraping by. I see the irony."

"I wasn't going to say that," Bumblebee assured them.

"I may have!" Wheeljack offered from his place leaned against the hanger.

Bumblebee shot him a glare but continued regardless. "I was going to offer you Energon."

"We don't need your charity or your pity, Autobot," Demolisher snarled.

"It's not pity," Bumblebee promised. "It's what allies would do. Whether this alliance crumbles later or not, right now we are a team, and a team watches each other's backs. And if you don't take me at my word, then look it at a logistical standpoint. How will you be able to help take down Arachnid If you are all literally starving?"

Soundwave studied Bumblebee's face. He analyzed the Renegade's logs again, seeing the meagre Energon left there. The ship itself was basically running on fumes, and the crew wasn't much better. He then felt Rhea's encouraging touch on his leg.

"Very well," Soundwave acknowledged with a nod. "We accept."

It took a while for Bumblebee to get a grudging Ultra Magnus on board with the plan. Before the sun had set Soundwave was organizing the distribution of the large amount of Energon amongst his new crew. The rest went to the Renegade's engine room. Indeed, the Autobot's were now well stocked with the substance since they had confiscated the finished synthetic formula from Shockwave. Because they could make as much as they wanted, Soundwave reasoned this was hardly a sacrifice for them.

Despite her overall, well, everything about her character, Thunderblast surprised Soundwave when she failed to refuel until the rest of the ships needs were met. Only when he ordered her and Demolisher to stop assisting in the Energon distribution did they take care of their own needs.

The Autobots delivered a final crate of the blue cubes onto the Renegade's ramp. Thunderblast and Demolisher had just finished sucking down their allotted cubes when Bumblebee approached them. "Would you and your crew care to join us back at the base?" he offered to Soundwave.

Soundwave eyed him curiously. "For what purpose?" He assumed all planning regarding the upcoming raid had been completed.

"A toast," Bumblebee explained. "We have a few cubes of high grade. It should be enough for everyone if they don't mind it diluted down." He admitted with a snicker.

"Oh Primus, they're getting sentimental." Thunderblast said with a look of horror. "We should cut and run, before they break out the friendship circles and singing."

"Come on," Bumblebee pushed while ignoring Thunderblast. "It'll lift your crew's Sparks."

"Is this pointless toast your idea?" Soundwave wondered.

Bumblebee flashed him a smile. "Of course. Now what do you say?"

This was unprecedented. Nothing like this happened on the Nemesis, ever. Did the Autobots celebrate before they had a concrete victory? But things were different now, and perhaps the Autobots just needed more reassurance of their alliance.

"Demolisher, summon the crew outside." Soundwave said simply.

The Renegade crew was small. Not counting himself, Thunderblast and Demolisher, there was an older engine specialist Constructacon named Rivet, and thirty troopers. Even still there were to many of them to fit inside the military hanger. Soundwave soon found they wouldn't have to. The Autobots had set up a sort of sitting area with massive boxes encircling a large bonfire, the latter detail probably being the human's idea.

Soundwave was painfully aware every Decepticon was staring at him for some sort of command. He gave a simple nod, and it was the Constructacon, Rivet, who shrugged and made his way over to the set up. "I'm too old for tense stand offs. If they kill us, mine as well die sitting down." The old bot mumbled before taking a seat. The rest of the Renegade crew followed his example, tense and quietly muttering amongst their groups.

"Order them to lighten up," Bumblebee joked and shoved one of the two cubes he had into Soundwave's grasp.

"What exactly is this exercise going to accomplish?" Soundwave asked him, raising the deluded high-grade to his lip plates.

"Poison check!" Thunderblast announced before she snatched the cube from Soundwave, dipped a single digit in and then tasted it. Her expression pursed, optics squinting thoughtfully. "Clean," she reported and plopped it back into his servos. Soundwave saw the confused thought hit her in real time. She turned to Bumblebee with a look of shock, and only a little disappointment. "Really? You had a chance at taking out the leader of the Decepticons and you didn't take it. Autobots are a strange bunch." She said before taking Bumblebee's own cube for herself and wandering away, Arcee in her sights.

"Trust," Bumblebee answered Soundwave's previous question. "I think it will do us all some good."

"You really are convinced this is all going to last?" Soundwave said.

"With help," Bumblebee said. He was observing the two parties very slowly mingle. After an obvious vent, Ratchet conceded and sat next to Rivet, a healthy distance away. They both wore their age and rough attitudes on their servos. Bumblebee seemed pleased with this. "If everyone takes the alliance to Spark, I think we can make it last."

Soundwave didn't answer him. Instead, he found Rhea among her human counterparts. They laughed by the fire, entertained when Thunderblast offered her cube to Arcee. She accepted it, tossed it into Thunderblast's face, and then handed back the cube all in once smooth motion.

Rhea seemed, happy, among this company. Of course she was, she was among other humans. Guilt began to prick at his processor as his plans to take her away to Cybertron haunted him. Was it the right choice? She could survive with him, but could she thrive under the care of the Autobots? The thought was hurtful because it seemed to already be proving factual.

He observed the mixed company to distract himself. The tension seemed on its way out. Demolisher was stoic, servos crossed, but did exchange words with Bulkhead. Thunderblast was clearly having fun. She had changed her strategy, and was now talking up Jack, who she had put together was a familiar of Arcee. "She's got to like something," she reasoned with Jack. "Don't make a Con beg. I've exhausted every fragging pickup line I've got."

Smokescreen stood among a few troopers, his optics wide as saucers. "You guys have names? Like, real names? Why did you let Megatron push you around then?"

Across the bond fire, he heard Rivet talking longingly about the old days to Ratchet. "Yeah, he was a good kid," Rivet vented with a solemn gaze at the stars. "The last apprentice I took. Mine as well have been a minicon he was that short. His Spark was way too soft to be a half decent Decepticon though. I sent him off on some nonsense mission far away to get him away from the war… Haven't seen him since. Wedge was his name. Primus, I hope he made something of himself…"

Bumblebee rose his cube to the group and the chatter ceased. "I'd like to offer a toast. To Cybertron, where I believe more then one group can live peacefully side by side," He gave Soundwave a meaningful glance before he added, "No matter the differences, I believe we can make any peace last, if our Sparks are sincere."

The Autobots rose their cubes, and once again, Soundwave felt the optics of his crew. He caught Rhea give him a grin. Perhaps Thunderblast was correct. Maybe the Autobots were just being sentimental. It must have been contagious because Soundwave rose his own cube without a word. His Decepticons followed his example. Did he feel relief among his own troops with this show of comradery?

"Look at you guys," Miko piped up, a smug smile on her lips. "Everyone buddies now? I never would have thought I'd see the day. But I agree with Bee. I'm proud of everyone here! I think you can make this new friendship thing last."

Soundwave drained his cube, and when he brought it back down, he caught a hint of red emerging from the hanger. He wondered when the traitor would join the party. He intended to continue to ignore his ex-comrade for as long as he was able.

"Where have you been Knockout?" Bumblebee asked through his grin. "The second we opened the high-grade I would have thought you'd be first in line… what's wrong?"

That brought Soundwave's focus onto the flashy bot at last. Red optics wide and unblinking, as if he was cornered by a swarm of starving Scraplets. Clawed servos clung to a data pad, trembling. Knockout was terrified. "You- you guys know I'm just joking about the whole not liking human thing right?" Knockout tried to say lightsparkedly to Bumblebee. He was too shaken to pull it off. "I'm part of the team… You wouldn't let me get terminated, right?"

Bumblebee blinked at him, completely confounded. "What are you talking about Knockout?"

His servos still trembling, he surrendered the data pad to Bumblebee. Soundwave watched the Scout's expression change within moments as he read. From curiosity to wide opticed alarm. Soundwave didn't ask permission, and instead hurried over to read over Bumblebee's shoulder.

It was a response from Cybertron, answering Ultra Magnus' original broadcast explaining their alliance.

The message read:

The proposal regarding cooperation between Autobot and Decepticon forces has been rejected. With the new information you provided regarding the unstable leadership of the Decepticons in the Kaon Underground, it has been determined that we have enough evidence to carry out an assault on Arachnid and her chemically enhanced forces without further intel from any Decepticon sources. Team Prime is also relieved from any further involvement in this domestic matter.

In addition, after careful evaluation, it has been determined that all "reformed" Decepticons previously given amnesty will hence forth have this right revoked and are to be ranked among the active members. This list includes: Decepticon Medical Officer, Knockout. Predacon Leader, Predaking. Predacon Skylynx. Predacon Darksteel, and all "reformed" Vehicon Troopers.

It is demanded that team Prime turn their focus to the capturing of all Decepticon traitors, both active members and "reformed". The highest priority for capture being the Decepticon Leader, Soundwave, and all Bots under his command. All captured Decepticon members are to be transported back to Cybertron to be terminated effective immediately.

By Decree of the New Cybertronian Council