After a month of work, travel up the east coast and a hospital stay… I have returned from my long hiatus! Thank you for being ever understanding. I greatly needed the time to catch up with this story, and now I hope to be able to keep up my original pace of weekly updates. Though it was a greatly needed hiatus, I am really glad to be back. I love reading over what everyone has said, it really inspires me. I intend to continue to bring my best to this story, so please comment, share what you think, and of course enjoy!


Cybertron, Four and a half million years ago

End of the Golden Age

Soundwave's even strut steps echoed off the high ceilings and hallowed halls of Iacon. Archivists and even noble bots stepped out of his path, as they always did. Soundwave wasn't late. He was never late. But his energy field exuded a stoic urgency that most tended to shrink away from. It didn't bother him. Whatever worked to break through traffic.

The much lighter prance of four paw sized peds hurried to his side from one of Iacon's many hidden hallways.

"Report?" Soundwave thought to his minicon who walked in stride with him.

"There were three black market deals of high-grade Energon in lower Kaon in the past solar cycle, Master Soundwave." Ravage reported. "I have logged away the location of both seller and buyer in the database."

Soundwave didn't have to glance at the four-legged Cybertronian to know Ravage rolled his optics. Soundwave had to refrain from doing the same.

"It is what the Senate wanted us to observe." Soundwave said when he could think of nothing else to defend the (in his opinion) massive waste of time. Their world was falling apart, and the Senate wanted to focus on pitiful black-market deals?

Laserbeak detached from Soundwave's torso and flew down to perch on Ravages back. They cooed affectionately at the other, their shared language only understood by Soundwave. Laserbeak had been rather, clingy, as of late. The Senate had Soundwave spread thin as the Kaon slums continued to explode with illegal activity. And if Soundwave was busy, his minicons were burdened just as much. They all were away on assignment more and more. Under normal circumstances, Ravage was far to aloof to tolerate the affection. But even he was rundown.

"Frenzy and Rumble were in lower Kaon too," Ravage thought to Laserbeak. "We didn't have much time, but I did see Rumble using some of Master Soundwave's shanix to buy entertainment chips. He told me not to tell, since he should have been working. I reminded him we all share a mind and would not be able to get away with such a ridiculous plot. He then insisted he had a way around that. Of course, he didn't specify what that plan was so I assume he was lying, like usual. But on the off chance his bluff was not a bluff, I am here to report that too." He tattled to Soundwave in a childish tone. Indeed, Soundwave already knew and was still contemplating an appropriate reprimand.

Laserbeak trilled a laugh. "He will be mad at you for telling."

Ravage growled a snicker. "Let him. Entertainment chips are not worth the Shanix. Master Soundwave's money is for upgrades and vital assignment related matters, not stupid hobbies."

"You collect obsolete data sticks," Laserbeak pointed out.

Ravage clicked his jaw. "Completely different. I do not spend Master Soundwave's shanix on those."

The banter ceased when they stood before the large doors that led into the main Senate Hall. With Laserbeak still riding on Ravage's back, they fell in line behind Soundwave. Both minicons held their helms low, optics to the floor. Their lower station demanded it. As usual, Soundwave offered a comforting pulse to them both, but did not slow his stride.

The seats in the Senate Hall were empty, as they usually were. This sacred room was for debates and contemplation over important topics. It also served to hear criminal testimonies or citizen grievances. The entire Senate body was meant to judge criminal testimonies, but only one or two Senators bothered showing up on any given cycle. As for citizen grievances, the opportunity to get an audience before the Senate was laughably difficult.

Speaking of important topics... Soundwave had words to exchange with a certain Senator about this very thing. This would come after he filed his work-related reports.

Laughing voices echoed ahead in the observation room. He assumed he'd find at least some of the Senators there. The observation room was frequented much more than the Senate Hall. It contained many chairs and a high-grade Energon bar. The walls were transparent which served to show off a very attractive view of the city below.

Soundwave spotted his intended target. The bot whom his loyalty was bound to. Seated across from a fellow Senator, decoratively carved Energon cube sloshing with high-grade. Senator Decimus.

The prestigious bot caught Soundwave's presence from the entrance. He rose his cube with a grin. "There he is! Soundwave, punctual as always! If it wasn't for your daily reports, I would never know what time it was." He and the other Senator exchanged a laugh. Wordless, Soundwave walked over. Ravage and Laserbeak remained behind but out of the way of the entrance.

"The report you requested, Senator Decimus." Soundwave said as he offered the data pad.

Still smiling, Decimus accepted it and scanned over the first few lines. That caught Soundwave by surprise. Decimus seldom read any of his reports himself. He had another bot for that. "Most excellent. Detailed as always. And the members of the black market you have discovered, they are filed?"

Soundwave gave him a single nod.

"Nasty business," the other Senator huffed, inserting himself into the topic. "Lowly criminals breaking into high-grade vaults to make a quick profit. And with the Energon shortages you would think they had better things to do."

"It is because of the Energon shortages." Soundwave corrected without being invited to. It was the first time either Senator had looked him in the faceplates since he had arrived. He continued. "High-grade has a much higher Energon consistency then mid or low level. They delude it, and then parcel it to more bots without sacrificing the energy efficiency."

"Delude it?" The other Senator's features scrunched with disgust. "What is the point of high-grade if one cannot nurse its euphoric effects?" He demanded; the point Soundwave had made clearly escaping his understanding.

"You know what I like about Soundwave here?" Senator Decimus said to his associate. "He has an immediate answer for everything, no matter the topic! I don't know what I would do without my most valuable spy."

"You'd wake up from a long recharge with your helm on backwards," the other Senator quipped. They both laughed again, Soundwave still standing stoic and awkward between them.

"Senator Decimus," Soundwave began before they could spin off on some unrelated tangent. "If I could have a moment of your time-"

"Yes yes, You're always one step ahead of me when it comes to work," Decimus said with an exaggerated vent. "I need your unique talents yet again to collect some very important intel, Soundwave. The rest of the council has been up my actuator as of late! They want me to use you for this task, as you are the most reliable. Every other spy we have sent on this assignment has not come back online or is still missing. I was hesitant to send you, but not because I doubted your ability to stay undetected. You truly are my personal gift from Primus. I can't imagine you gone from my services here in Iacon for as long as this job requires. But, the greater good calls."

"You are a selfless bot indeed, Decimus." The other Senator said with a mocking titter.

Decimus shot him a playful glare before continuing. "Indeed, I need you to infiltrate a growing movement in the Kaon lower castes. The Senate has been informed of a possible growing gang of mischief makers... Some nonsense about changing the old ways. It started in the Gladiatorial Pits, which was no trouble. Gladiators are a brutish group. We expect them to speak on dangerous topics. The trouble is, such talk has left the Pits, and now is spreading about like it is alight with Energon. There is a bot, some gladiator who seems to be the focal point. He needs monitoring. We need to determine if he must be… dealt with."

"Megatronus," Soundwave said without hesitation. His Spark skipped. Of all the chances, his next assignment was the topic he had been trying to bring up to the Senator. This was the perfect chance. The Senate Council was finally interested in Megatronus and his speeches of equality. Cybertron had reached a point where they could no longer ignore the problems that birthed the rising movement in the first place. He wasn't surprised at all the Senate felt threatened. But this was the infamous Megatronus. He was a bot Soundwave had admittedly become a bit obsessed with in recent cycles.

Decimus rose an optic ridge. "You have heard of him? Once again, you are ahead of me."

"I have done a substantial amount of personal research on this particular bot." Soundwave confirmed. "From my research so far, I do not deem him a threat to public safety. He is a proponent of peaceful but drastic action for the good of Cybertron."

Decimus's associate sipped his high-grade with a nerves murmur. "That sounds dangerously close to a revolutionist."

"It's not that I do not trust your research so far," Decimus said to the spy master. From his weary tone, Soundwave already heard the inevitable 'but' that was coming. "But we can never be too careful. These are dangerous times indeed, and any spark could explode into an inferno if we are not careful. The more we know about this Megatronus, the better."

"I will begin collecting intel immediately," Soundwave insisted. But he had an addition of his own. "I am also witness to some of his speeches. He has addressed issues the Senate Council are still in a dead lock on in the Senate Hall. He has provided very insightful solutions."

Decimus nodded a few times, his optics uninterested. "I'll bring it up during the next debate… It will be something for me to contribute I suppose. I haven't had anything to say in recent cycles."

Soundwave's already stiff chassis became even more rigid. He felt the worry Ravage and Laserbeak had for him when Decimus said that. In their collective mind they were begging him to not say anything else.

'Don't question it. You will be punished.' Laserbeak pleaded.

'Don't get mad. It will only make it worse.' Ravage added.

Soundwave didn't heed their advice. "You have not, Senator? What about the reform I suggested? You had promised to bring it up during the debates."

Decimus's lazed smile faded from his expression. "The time has not been right to bring it to the Senate. We are still debating other topics."

"You said that a stellar cycle ago," Soundwave snapped.

Decimus placed his decorative cube down and stood from his chair. He offered Soundwave a smile and a firm pat on his shoulder.

"Soundwave. Again, you are my most valuable asset. This place would not run if you were not here. Because of this loyal service you have provided, I will offer you a gentle reminder. Words are powerful, especially here in the Halls of Iacon. Sometimes, words spoken boldly and in the wrong presence can come across, defiant and ignorant, even if the speaker did not intend it to. I will see to the problems you have presented when the time is right. That is my final word on the matter." He patted Soundwave's shoulder again for emphasis and turned to sit back down.

"But Senator," Soundwave protested despite the poorly masked threat. "Cybertron is spiraling down and there isn't any more time for words or prolonged debates! You can't keep ignoring-"

Decimus turned on his heel struts and smacked Soundwave across his faceplates.

If any other Cybertronian in the Universe had been behind the assault, Soundwave would have his hand pierced through their Spark. But the Bot before him was an untouchable, above him. Decimus had every right in the law to do what he had done without having to worry about any retaliation. Soundwave forced his fists to clench, holding himself in place so he didn't react. The sting of the feeble injury did not hurt nearly as much as his pride.

"Remember your station, Soundwave," Decimus warned him. "You are among the few that have been lucky enough to serve the Senate in this time. The Senate will debate the topics we know are most important. We are for maintaining the old ways, the traditions of Cybertron. That is what is important. Caste fracturing, Energon crisis, revolutions, they are all a momentary set back. Distractions from what is important. As long as we fight to maintain the status quo, then this blessed Golden Age of ours will never come to an end." Decimus paused his tirade to take in Soundwave. He did not stir or respond, as if he had slipped into stasis lock standing up.

Decimus vented deep. He retrieved his high-grade, and waved Soundwave away with an air of exasperation. "Now go do your assignment, in silence, and get out of my sight."


Present Day

Earth, Nevada Military Base

Soundwave

It was safe to say, the party was over.

Demolisher's blaster activated. In response, Arcee, Bulkhead, and Wheeljack's own weapons came to life, followed soon by the Vehicon troopers.

"Just say the word, boss." Demolisher intoned towards Soundwave, his weapon pointed at the Autobots. "Are we waiting for shoulder pads Magnus over there to make the first move, or should we start fighting it out now?"

Bumblebee seemed to thaw from his shock. Inexplicably, he threw himself in front of his team, servos raised. "No," he stated to everyone, standing steadfast in the face of over forty blasters. "No one is fighting! We'll figure this out."

"I don't even get what happened?" Miko huffed. She stood in the neutral area between both parties. Her high-pitched voice provided a useful distraction from the brewing conflict. "Everything was going so great. Who on Cybertron messed it up?"

No one offered to answer her question, but her contribution did draw many optics to Miko and the other humans. One focus being Soundwave himself. Rhea was right in the line of fire, and he had to get her out. But the Autobots were watching him closest of all. He would be the one to order his bots to attack. Any careless movement on his part could spark catastrophe.

He looked at Rhea. She was already focused on him too. He willed her to move, confident she would understand his intentions by his gaze alone. Thankfully, Rhea did seem to understand what he wanted. Unfortunately, she shook her head at his silent command to get out of the way. She sat with the other humans, hands trembling with anxiety. But she remained firm alongside Jack, Miko, and Raf. It was as if the young humans had resolved themselves to be a barrier like Bumblebee. Their presence keeping Con and Bot from moving in and tearing each other apart.

"Jack, get out of the way!" Arcee warned from behind her blaster.

"No," Jack said, defiant like Rhea. "Listen to Bumblebee and calm down! You don't have to do this. Don't let the New Council undo the progress you all made."

Silence stretched on. Rhea's eyes were pleading, boring into Soundwave. Bumblebee's own optics did the same. They were both begging him not to do what Soundwave's instincts were screaming at him to. Strike first, gain the advantage, win the war. He had lived by this creed and had survived the war because of it. But the war had raged on for four million years without any respite even with this philosophy. Save for one moment. Mere minutes ago, when he shared a toast with a naive yet hopeful Autobot. There was no blaster fire then, or plots to betray or battles to be won. There was quiet, shared interests, and peace.

"Stand down, and we will also," Soundwave informed the Autobots.

"Good idea, Master." Thunderblast whispered with a wink. "They put the blasters down, and we let them have it."

"No," Soundwave said. "When they stand down, we will also." he repeated.

With hesitant movements, the Autobots lowered their weapons. In a standoff, it was a foolish move. Despite his inner dialog demanding he give the order to fire, Soundwave motioned for his own crew to stand down. The stand off was over, but the celebratory energy they enjoyed before was long dead.

Soundwave's crew broke away from the Autobots and remained polarized across the dying campfire. Soundwave observed the Autobots in silence as they fought amongst themselves. They hadn't attacked yet, so he hadn't ordered his own crew to do so either. Even Ultra Magnus' more militarized units stationed by the Autobot ships seemed unsure what to do.

With the danger on hold, Ultra Magnus snatched the data pad from Bumblebee. He returned to the military hanger, saying he would 'get to the bottom of this'. That was over twenty earth minutes ago. Going by the shouting voice of the Autobot Commander, it appeared the conversation was not going well.

"Are they out of their fragging minds?" Arcee hissed amongst her company. "The New Council doesn't even have the authority to give such an order!"

"And not counting Silent bot and his crew over there," Wheeljack added with a nod towards Soundwave. "There are loads of Ex-Cons on Cybertron. Do they expect everyone back home to just be ok with this?"

"What about my construction team?" Bulkhead demanded to no one in particular. "They are almost all Con troopers and parolees. I'm not going to turn them in, they're great bots!"

"Why did they name me?" Knockout whimpered. "I've been working my aft off treating every injured soldier and refugee brought to me. Is it because I didn't get the Autobot emblem? I explained that I don't do emblems. I didn't even wear the Con symbol, it would distract from my finish! Please don't let them kill me!"

"No one is going to die," Bumblebee promised. "Something drastic must have happened back home. We'll get back and sort it out. But for the time being, Knockout, you may want to stay here on Earth."

"Wow, it just hit me." Smokescreen interjected. "Knockout put up such a fuss about coming to Earth to break Soundwave's coded message. It's a good thing we forced him, or he may have already been pushing up lug nuts…"

That realization did little to quell Knockout's growing hysterics. The sports car bot let out an involuntary whimper as this reality dawned on him.

Ultra Magnus exited the hanger. Soundwave could already tell from his expression what he was about to say. "We are off the mission, and are being summoned back to Cybertron," Ultra Magnus told the Autobots. "They have also replaced my other units with this 'Con hunting task force'. The members who make up this task force the New Council did not feel we were privy to know." He explained with a frowned.

"Feeling oppressed?" Thunderblast inquired with an innocent air, inserting herself into their conversation, "You can always join the Decepticons."

"Not helping," Demolisher said with a shove into her side that almost knocked her over.

"It's not the only bad news, team," Ultra Magnus added with a grim inflection. "All the Ex-cons on parole we have been protecting from Arachnid, Bulkhead's construction crew included, have been scheduled to be executed."

The individual members of the Autobot team exploded at Ultra Magnus. They all shouted demands and confused protests Ultra Magnus could not answer. But it was all the information Soundwave needed to act.

"Prepare the ship for launch," Soundwave ordered to his crew. The Autobots ceased their squabbling when he spoke.

"What are you guys doing?" Bumblebee demanded.

Soundwave gave the scout a pointed look. "I am the leader of the Decepticons. I am going to retrieve my people before the New Council terminates them."

"If you attack, it's only going to make things worse!" Bumblebee yelled after him. "We'll handle the New Council, peacefully."

"You guys need to team up with Soundwave!" Miko insisted to the Autobots. "Go crash that execution and take out the New Council!"

"That's what I'm talking about!" Thunderblast said with an excited smile aimed at Miko. "You want to be my pet, little firecracker?"

Soundwave considered Bumblebee's pleading optics yet again. Some things, like their previous standoff could be settled in a peaceful manner. But this was not one of those times. He motioned for his crew to disperse back to the Renegade.

"Recall, Soundwave," Ultra Magnus stepped forward. He pointed to the stasis cuffs clasped around Soundwave's servos. "You are still our prisoner, and no one here has given you clearance to leave. Besides, The New Council has a secret and highly trained unit they are using to capture Decepticons. Not even I have clearance to know more about them, so I can offer little information to aid in avoiding them. For you and your crew's safety, it would be best if you remained on Earth until my men can de-escalate the situation.

"I do not require your protection, or your permission to do anything. Prisoner, or otherwise." Soundwave informed him.

"Activate, 9-17-1984." Wheeljack called out. Soundwave recognized the series of numbers as the activation code for his stasis cuffs. He turned to see the Autobots perplexed when he failed to topple over into stasis lock. In the empty silence the wrecker snickered. "Yeah, I figured he had deactivated the cuffs a while ago."

Well, that secret was out. Soundwave unclasped the cuffs from himself and Laserbeak and tossed them back to the Autobots. "Scout. Do whatever is right for your team, but we will not wait any longer to act. As for Rhea, please, assure her safety here on Earth." Soundwave looked to Rhea, who with Miko's help had wheeled closer to him. He knelt to her. It felt surreal. He did not think he would be returning to Cybertron without Rhea.

The moment was somewhat ruined by the protesting of Miko as she snapped at the Autobots. "Guys! You have to go! At least let me go and give these Council jerks a piece of my mind!"

Rhea persisted through the background noise. "What can I do?" she almost demanded of him.

"Recover further. I will return as soon as I am able," Soundwave promised. Before she could protest this, the plating of his torso shifted open. With the feelers of his data cables, he retrieved a smaller device. "I managed to salvage a few pieces from your Transistor radio. I wired them with my own Cybertronian technology. With it, I created a more efficient communication device that is less likely to break."

She stared at him with utter amazement. "When did you have time to do that?"

He offered her a sly smile. "I found time while we restocked the ship with Energon. I pride myself for being an efficient multitasker." He gently pushed some of her hair to the side with a feeler and looped the small device around her ear with the other. 'And it is capable of more than picking up different radio frequencies.' he explained further, silent to the Autobots behind them.

She startled, eyes gaping at him when his voice appeared in her ear. He smiled, her reaction confirmation the device was working as it should. 'This is a direct link into my and Laserbeak's symbiotic communications line. It is completely secure and will only work with your body's unique heat signature. We will still be able to communicate even with me on Cybertron.'

'You can speak to us as well.' Laserbeak's voice chimed in. 'When the Autobots are not eavesdropping, of course. Your voice will transmit to us.' Then he added proudly, 'I assured you Master Soundwave would fix your device, did I not?"

Hearing Laserbeak's actual voice, not through the monotone pitch of her old radio or a computer, made Rhea's emotions threaten to choke her. But she concealed it, maintaining her composure. He held out his palm and helped her up into his grasp. He pulled her close to his faceplates and she grasped him as tight as she could manage.

'As for how you can help me,' Soundwave communicated between them. She nodded against him. 'With the discord happening on Cybertron, I may have a need to start hiding Decepticons on Earth. I will need you to create a shielded frequency to elude the New Council and their secret task force. This shield must obscure Decepticon life signals on Earth. I have access to the Autobot Spacebridge, but I will need to hardwire that to the Renegade's own systems before I can use it. Once that is complete, I will be able to return for you.'

"I trust you," she said finally. She stroked his faceplate with a final caress. It was all the reassurance they both needed. Then she gave the same assuring touch along one of Laserbeak's wings. Laserbeak cooed from his place in Soundwave's torso.

Gently, he placed her back in the wheelchair and stood. The Renegade roared to life, and he headed for the ship's ramp. After all this time, he was finally leaving Earth behind. Before this whole ordeal, before he met Rhea, he never would have thought leaving the organic world would be such a heavy burden on his Spark.


Bumblebee

The Renegade blasted off into the night sky. Bumblebee balled his fists and watched the last of the ship's engines dim into the oblivion of space.

"They're going to get themselves killed," Ratchet vented by his side. "Under normal circumstances, that would be a victory. But…"

"It was the closest we had ever been to a successful cease-fire." Bumblebee said, his frustration threatening to stall his voice box. "With Arachnid on the loose spreading some super dark Energon virus, the New Council pulls a stunt like this?"

"It may not be too late," Arcee offered with a shrug. "Soundwave's trigger-happy crew can't Spacebridge to Cybertron like we can. In fact, I don't even know what they're doing trying to fly there the old fashion way. They'll never make it in time."

"The Renegade may have a Spacebridge somewhere outside this solar system." Ultra Magnus said. "Ratchet, activate our own bridge so I can confront the New Council in person. We will sort out this mess before Soundwave arrives on Cybertron and escalates this problem into a catastrophe."

Ratchet and Ultra Magnus ventured off towards the Hanger, leaving the rest of the group in a tense limbo. Bumblebee's gaze wandered to Rhea, who sat quiet in her wheelchair, her eyes still focused on the sky. Jack and Raf shuffled over to her, and she seemed to relax in their presence.

"We should all go with Magnus," Arcee said to Bumblebee, who only managed a nod in response. "We don't know how the Council turned so fast, so we should all stand united against this most recent order. But what I don't get is this; if Soundwave is right, and this plot is coming from the two original Senate members… what about the others on the Council? They were Autobot generals and peace makers. What did these two Senate members show to make the others roll over so fast?"

"Whatever those two older Senate members showed them, it must have been convincing." Bumblebee said. "Arcee. Do you think it's strange, that this is all happening?"

She staired at him with a raised optic ridge. "How do you figure?"

"The New Council is making this massive show of force against the Decepticon cause. But the Decepticon cause was basically disbanded when Megatron left. Then Arachnid shows up out of nowhere and reignites everything. Soundwave said he stranded Arachnid on one of Cybertron's moons. How did she get back to Cybertron in the first place?"

Arcee's expression fell. Bumblebee wasn't sure if it was because he mentioned the spider bot or she saw where he was going with the thought.

"You think it's connected?"

"I'm just saying, there wouldn't be a continued war against the Cons, if Arachnid hadn't shown up." He said.

Arcee scowled into the darkness of the desert. "Primus help the New Council if they had anything to do with Arachnid being on Cybertron." She hissed.

"Even if they didn't," Bumblebee added. "Whatever we do, we need to tread carefully. If the New Council is making a grab for power, then they are trying to push us out. They'll start turning on everyone, Bot and Con alike. We need to stand firm, and get to Cybertron before Soundwave-"

There was a crash from the hanger, followed by a string of curses. Ratchet was shouting profanities in old Cybertronian. The medic only reserved that colorful dialect when he was particularly pissed.

"That doesn't sound good," Arcee noted sarcastically.

"What's gotten up your tail pipe?" Bulkhead asked of the old doctor as he marched back outside.

"We should have scrapped him when we had the chance!" Ratchet snarled at no one in particular. Bumblebee watched Ultra Magnus emerge. He remained in the opening of the hanger, helm in his hand as if he were warding off a processor ache. "Soundwave sure does have access to a Spacebridge. OURS. He hacked into our systems and put a block on our side. We can't bridge to Cybertron from here unless he lets us. I'm sure as we speak, he is working to hardwire the Renegade into our Spacebridge frequency so they can use it. They'll get to Cybertron days before I can have it back up and running!"

"So much for gratitude, hu?" Bulkhead offered. Ratchet only glared at him.

"You'll get it working, especially if Raf lends a hand," Bumblebee said to Ratchet. He was trying hard to keep the team positive despite the deteriorating odds. There was corruption in the new Council, violent uprisings from Arachnid, and Soundwave was headed into a trap to reignite the war. At the very least, things couldn't get any worse.

"Um, sorry to interrupt guys," Jack said from the ground. The teen wore a look of growing apprehension that put a knot in Bumblebee's Spark. "Have any of you seen Miko?"

The simple question stalled the previous topic and had everyone scanning their surroundings. Bulkhead called out for the girl, lifting the occasional military truck to investigate under. She was nowhere to be found.

For all the times for her to run off… then the icy touch of realization struck Bumblebee like a meteor. He turned his gaze skyward to the lingering Energon trail left by the Renegade. "Oh no."