Authors notes: Well this was an interesting day. I like to update around noon, as I'm sure everyone is aware, but alas I awake to my house's internet connection gone. Was it storming in my neck of the woods, and maybe knock out down power lines? Nope. Normal day, not a cloud in sky. Whatever the reason a service call to the power company later informed me they would get to it by 10p.m. Maybe.
So, I have emerged, blinking in the sunlight, and stumbling from my house in search of wifi, and am now publishing this from a random hotspot! Better late than never, I guess. We can all just blame CenturyLink; they have betrayed us all.
Anywho, as always, please comment and enjoy this new chapter! In the meantime, I will be here in this Starbucks, wistfully awaiting Wifi to bless my humble home once more…
Bridge of the Renegade
Soundwave
"The Autobots on Earth are hailing us again, Master." Demolisher reported with an exaggerated optic roll.
"Dismiss it," Soundwave ordered. From his current vantage point, gazing out the front viewing port of the ship, the stars raced past them. He remained stoic on the Bridge, servos clasped behind him. It had been a while since he powered down, and his processor efficiency was suffering for it. But there were far too many things that kept him from resting. Rhea was of course on his mind, but more than that, the past he had so carefully compartmentalized deep in some forgotten memory storage was starting to break loose. He was sure the prospect of another war brought about the unfriendly memories. The Autobots thought there was a chance for a peaceful solution to this problem, as if they lived in a simplistic universe. Memories of his time spent in Iacon, under the unyielding rule of Decimus reminded him why this was not the case. "There is no more time for talking. There is only room for action." He said, more to himself then any of his crew on the Bridge.
"There's also a repeating message originating from Cybertron, my Lord," A Vehicon reported from his work terminal.
That was more concerning. "Pertaining to what?" Soundwave questioned.
With a few quick flicks of his digits the trooper pulled up the message for everyone to witness.
Short answer, it was a wanted list. Endless Decepticon names scrolled downward, a hefty reward placed on each helm dependent on their 'active threat'. Soundwave's own name was highest on the list, right under Megatron's, and they both carried a fortune for their capture, online, or terminated.
"I'm tenth?" Demolisher demanded with a loud scoff at the list. "I'll fix that when we get home," he promised to himself and rubbed one fist into the other with threatening intent.
There was more than just the list. Soundwave quickly noted many names had been highlighted, with the word APPERHENDED where the reward should have been. Shockwave's name was not on the execution list despite him already being in custody. It didn't surprise Soundwave at all the Council would use their hypocrisy to justify keeping the Cons most useful to them alive. Shockwave was one of the greatest Cybertronian minds of their time, and the Council would use that to their advantage.
This complicated Soundwave's plans. He needed Shockwave to bring an end to this dark Energon virus Arachnid was spreading.
'And we need him to find a means of extending Rhea's life,' Laserbeak reminded him. Soundwave didn't need reminding, but he understood Laserbeak's worry for their human ally still on Earth.
'That is a given. But she is safer on Earth currently, and I have the responsibilities of the Decepticons to deal with first. Once we free the prisoners, Shockwave will be next to recover.' He promised Laserbeak.
Their silent conversation was interrupted by the same transmission from Cybertron. Once the wanted list was finished advertising their names to the universe, a robotic monotone voice echoed through the Bridge of the Renegade. It unveiled the chilling result of the New Council's plans before the message looped.
"Captured Decepticon traitors will be publicly executed before Cybertron's population, beginning in three solar cycles and then repeating every other solar cycle until all traitors are terminated."
"Three solar cycles?" Demolisher cracked a sinister grin. "That should be plenty of time to crash the party."
"I've got bad news, boss." came the voice of Rivet over Soundwave's com.
With an internal vent, Soundwave steeled himself for whatever problem the older bot had to report. He made his way to the Engine Room, Demolisher close behind. He would have put Thunderblast in charge of the Bridge, but she was suspiciously absent from duty. Soundwave had larger problems to consider other than his missing second in command. He assumed she would stumble back amongst them eventually.
He arrived in the noisy and cluttered core of the ship. Only Rivet's peds were visible, sticking out from under a thrown together Ground and Spacebridge energy flux radiator. If it were a fully functional device, it could open temporary portals for a small ship like the Renegade to travers through. But the device was in pieces around the engine room, being the epitome of 'nonfunctional' in its current state.
Rivet emerged from under the bulk of machinery covered in a sheen of rainbow-colored oil and lubricant.
"What's the problem?" Soundwave inquired.
Rivet yanked himself upright with a growl. "The modifications to connect our existing Bridge tech to the Autobot's Spacebridge frequency is going, what's the word… terrible. Sure, we have most of the components we need, and I figured I could pull a Solus Prime and wing the rest… but even with the Autobot pass codes you gave me, it's still going to take longer than I originally quoted ya to configure it."
"Then get working," Demolisher grumbled.
"What's it look like I'm doing!" Rivet snapped and shook out one of his servos in a deliberate attempt to splash Demolisher with coolant. "I wouldn't be putting up a stink if it was just that. Apparently the Autobots are wise to what we're doing, and from their end they have been fighting the configuration like their damn lives depended on it."
Soundwave suppressed a scowl. Any negative facial expression would imply he lacked an immediate plan. Megatron always had a plan, so he needed one too.
Soundwave considered what they were currently working with. The Autobots most likely had changed all their passcodes by now. Though he had a deep root in their systems, from such a distance, and not having the luxury of being in their base like he had been, his own hacking would be equally stunted.
Almost on cue, Demolisher's energy darkened by his side. "How long until the New Council starts chopping Decepticon again?"
"Three solar cycles," Soundwave answered him coldly. He looked to Rivet, who visibly deflated.
"Yeah, that's not going to happen. With your help hacking back into the Autobot Spacebridge frequency, my Lord, and accounting for delayed transmission times, our Spacebridge won't be operational for at least six solar cycles."
"Well scrap," Demolisher hissed, though his usual brutish nature seemed to mirror Rivet's own hopelessness. "What do we do?"
That was a direct question presented to Soundwave. He held a neutral expression. He studied every piece of information he had available. The incomplete Spacebridge due to Autobot interference, the wanted list, the execution. During the few nanokliks he allotted himself, he ran every quick calculation to crunch the numbers. No matter what they did, they would arrive to Cybertron to late.
"We will not arrive in time," Soundwave finally announced. "That being the case, this rescue mission, has been recategorized as a mission of revenge. We will strike the New Council in retaliation, for our fallen brethren."
It was bleak, but it was the reality he had to face. It wasn't an easy choice, but he had made it. Such retaliation would almost assure the sparking of another Civil War. He felt Laserbeak inwardly cringe against him at the mere thought. 'To avoid another oppressive age, it is required.' He reassured the minicon, and himself.
"Lord Soundwave," A voice came over the com. "The Autobots are hailing us again."
"Ignore it," Soundwave stated, a little too sharply for his tastes. He was not in the mood to hear whatever worthless plea the Autobots had to offer to further waste his time. Their interference with the Spacebridge was one of the factors contributing to them not being able to make the execution in time. True, he had hacked into their systems and commandeered their technology, but it had been for a reasonable cause. The Autobots had reestablished the Council and gotten them all into this mess. It was the least they could do.
'Soundwave, can you hear me?'
The familiar voice in his mind silenced every other yelling issue that had been running on repeat.
Laserbeak beat him to a reply. 'Rhea! Flawless first use of the inner com frequency!' he praised.
'Is everything all right?' Soundwave inquired once he had recovered from the shock.
'I'm fine,' she answered after a brief delay. 'I'm back in my hospital room by myself so I could talk. It took me longer than I had hoped because… well, have you been getting any of the Autobot's messages?'
'Yes,' Soundwave confirmed. 'I have little to say regarding any further communication with the New Council. The Autobots are free to waste their time discussing the problem in circles. We are going to act.'
'They aren't actually calling about that,' Rhea explained.
Laserbeak chirped curiously and Soundwave shared the sentiment. What else could the Autobots want?
Rhea elaborated. 'You might have a stowaway on board.'
He considered that, staring past the confused bots beside him. He was sure his few beats of silence were starting to alarm Demolisher and Rivet. He ignored them for a few moments more and ran a scan for life forms through the Renegade. All thirty-five Cybertronian life signals of the crew were accounted for, including Laserbeak's and his own. In the ship's personal quarters hall, he registered an epicenter of organic alien life forms. He assumed this was Thunderblast's room, full of her many organic pets she had decided to not leave behind when they fled Cybertron. In fact, he saw his previously missing second in command in her quarters as well.
But among the hoard, there was a bipedal outline that was all to familiar to Earth.
Soundwave vented.
"Master?" Demolisher ventured hesitantly.
Wordlessly, he headed for the crew's quarters hall. The contradicting heavy and light strut steps of both Demolisher and Rivet shuffled after him. They were probably curious to discover the root of his odd behavior.
He arrived at the sealed door of Thunderblast's personal quarters. It was locked, but that would not have been a problem for him even if he didn't have the pass codes.
Soundwave unlocked the door just in time for Thunderblast to jump up from the far wall with a yelp of alarm. "M-Master!" she said with a plastered-on smile. "How can… I… um," she trailed off as he stepped past her, uninterested in whatever excuse she was cobbling together. He weaved around the mismatched cages that contained alien plant and wildlife that littered the room. There was a vent hastily put back into the wall, covered by an empty cage.
Soundwave deployed his tentacles and removed the cage and vent cover out of his way. He snaked one appendage into the vent. He registered a heat signature, and it tried to scamper further into the ventilation system of the ship. He snatched it with the end of his feeler, eliciting a "EEP!" from the source.
He retracted his appendages until he pulled the human Miko from the vent, reeling her up to be level with his helm.
"I can explain," both Thunderblast and Miko said simultaneously.
Rivet vented from the door. "Sure, why not? Because this solar cycle wasn't ridiculous enough."
"WHY Commander?" Demolisher huffed in an inflection of utter defeat.
"She wanted to come," Thunderblast pouted, as if this defense was even almost a satisfactory one. "And I didn't get to stay long enough on Earth to see much of the organic life… And this one is just awesome in general!"
Soundwave considered his second in command in silence. He was sure his annoyance shined through regardless. All the while Miko continued to struggle in his grasp, trying to wriggle free.
"I had to do something!" Miko yelled at Soundwave. "Those Council creeps are going to kill Bulkhead's construction friends! And after everything team Prime did for Cybertron these losers are throwing it all in the trash!"
"Your statement regarding the New Council is noted, but if you would indulge my curiosity," Soundwave intoned sharply. "What exactly was your plan for sneaking aboard an alien vessel with no visible supplies, headed into the depths of space, our destination being a world that is toxic to organic life? What was your next move?"
Miko stopped struggling long enough to purse her lips at him. "I, didn't really think that through. Planning ahead isn't really my thing." She admitted.
"We're waaay past turning around," Rivet said to Soundwave.
"There's always an airlock to dump it out of," Demolisher offered.
Disregarding that last offer Soundwave stared at the human's determined face. There was another ping in his auditory from the Autobots. "Back to the Bridge." Soundwave ordered simply. He didn't let Miko down. After stowing away on an alien vessel, an enemy alien vessel, he assumed she wasn't unreasonable enough to try and scamper off into the bowels of the ship.
He did finally release Miko on a console in the Bridge, far to high up for her to jump. "Open the com link to the Autobots."
There was a brief pause as the transmission time caught up, pinging back to Earth. A holographic image opened over the front viewing screen, a window into the Autobot base.
A relieved Bumblebee stood at the forefront of the image. "Thank you, Soundwave, for finally answering," he said sincerely.
"Where is she?" Bulkhead demanded behind Bumblebee.
"I'm ok Bulk!" Miko insisted, jumping up so the screen could see her.
"Thank Primus," Ratchet said.
"Miko!" Bulkhead snapped after his own relief was exhausted. "You are in a universe of trouble!" he informed her. The weight of his statement was lessened slightly when Wheeljack was in clear view behind him, giving Miko a sideways smirk and a thumbs up.
"Infiltrating a Con vessel on your own," Wheeljack said with a whistle. "No game plan and no good odds. That's how a wrecker does it!"
Bulkhead shoved Wheeljack in the shoulder, though his friend didn't lose his smile. Soundwave noted Miko was trying not to grin as well.
Soundwave turned his focus to Bumblebee. "You can understand my concern for my own human ward, if you have such a hard time keeping track of your own." Soundwave said coldly.
"Don't blame them," Miko said in their defense. "They tell me not to do stuff like this all the time. I just am not a good listener."
"Fair enough Soundwave," Bumblebee answered his previous statement. "Just, tell us what you want so you can bring her back home."
"That is where our plans deviate," Soundwave began. "We have no intention of turning around or slowing our attempts to reach our brothers in arms who are in need on Cybertron. Your human being here does not change anything on our side."
Bulkhead's aura darkened further. "The girl has nothing to do with any of this!"
"Correction. She inserted herself when she boarded my vessel without permission." Soundwave explained.
"Soundwave," Bumblebee said. Unlike his green comrade, his optics were somewhat understanding. "We got the most recent transmission from Cybertron, regarding the Decepticon execution." he elaborated.
"Then you should understand why we can not faulter for anything," Soundwave said. "We would happily Spacebridge her back into your custody, but you are currently keeping us from utilizing the technology."
Ratchet took the moment to jump in. "Because if you Bridge to Cybertron you're going to blast everything in your path to get to those prisoners!"
"That isn't untrue," Demolisher said with a shrug.
"Master," Rivet whispered while trying to remain inconspicuous. "This could be a blessing from Primus in disguise. If they want their human back bad enough, they will stop fighting me for control of their Spacebridge frequency. If they help the reconstruction of the Spacebridge from their side, we can make it in time to stop the execution."
It was a new factor for him to consider in the equation. Rivet was right. There was now a very reasonable opportunity for them to make it to Cybertron in time to stop the New Council.
"Autobots," Soundwave said as he turned steadfast back to the screen. "If you truly want this human back, then you will allow us access to your Spacebridge technology, and assise my ship's engine specialist in its completion."
Now Ultra Magnus was the one to intone. "We will stop the Decepticon execution without violence, you have my word, but there must be something else you want?"
"There is not. And your word means little to me." Soundwave shut him down.
The Autobots murmured to themselves, mulling over their options.
"Don't worry about me guys!" Miko insisted. "You just need to help get those Cons off death row."
"We can't just leave her there!" Bulkhead protested to Ultra Magnus.
"She is self-sufficient, and Soundwave is prepared to start another war if he gets to Cybertron with our help." Ultra Magnus said.
"It could give us time to talk them out of attacking." Arcee said with a shrug.
"Pretty sure old Soundwaves isn't budging on that," Smokescreen observed. He was correct.
"I can attempt to catch up in one of our ships," Ultra Magnus added. "They won't slow down for us, but if I burn the thrusters for the entire duration of the journey, I could catch up in two and a half solar cycles."
"What about Miko eating and drinking? She can't go without for almost three days!" Bulkhead snapped.
"She'll have to at least go without for a day and a half," Ratchet huffed. "I've crunched the numbers. Even without help it will take a day and a half to get their Bridge synced with ours."
"They didn't have inflight meals one time when I flew from Tokyo to LA," Miko piped up. "I can make it."
"What about air?" Arcee suddenly said with an expression of horrified realization.
Silence fell over the Autobots, Soundwave watching in real time as they all came to the same conclusion.
"Soundwave," Bumblebee said with newfound panic. "How much oxygen do you have left on the Renegade?"
Soundwave did a quick scan. Interesting indeed. "There is thirty percent left from our time spent on Earth. With one human breathing, and saturating the ship with carbon dioxide, there should be enough life support to last two solar cycles before perishing. Even if we did turn around right now, we would not make it in time." It was also a half day after Ultra Magnus would reach them. Without the Spacebridges completion, Miko would not survive. Reading the Autobots renewed panic, their own math matched his.
Thunderblast gave him a strange look, obviously about to protest his report and ruin everything. He shook his helm once to silence what he was sure she was about to blurt out loud for the Autobots to overhear. During his scan, he saw Thunderblast had many oxygen tanks in her quarters. To sustain her other organic pets, no doubt. But, the Autobots had asked how much oxygen they had floating freely about the ship. They did not ask about any other sources, so Soundwave kept that information to himself.
"We'll do it," Bumblebee finally agreed. "But, in the meantime, we are going to try and talk the Council out of this ridiculous plot. If they stand down before you arrive, you have to promise not to attack."
"I worked for the old Senate," Soundwave informed him. "Talking them into anything was an impossibility. It would have been easier to convince Unicron to become Primus' personal jester then talking the Senate members out of their own power. So, if you can pull off the impossible, I will be far too impressed not to indulge your request. Rivet," he turned his attention to his engine specialist. "I will open a permanent communication link with the Autobot medic down in the engine room for you to begin collaborating. Will this be adequate for the Bridge to be completed in a timely fashion?"
"With no more scrap getting in the way? We're clear sailing," Rivet confirmed.
"Then we have an understanding," Soundwave said to the Autobots.
"You just make sure she's safe," Bulkhead begged, his previous hostility gone.
"And you keep them Con's in line, kid!" Wheeljack called to Miko before Soundwave could shut down the connection.
"I have spare oxygen," Thunderblast assured Miko. "My one flyer from Nebulos needs it. You can room with him."
Miko rose an eyebrow at the sincere comment. "You're not so bad. It makes me almost forget you tried to blow up New York City."
Thunderblast offered her a shrug. "It's nothing personal with the new City York," she insisted. "It's all about the Renegades fusion cannon… From the moment I laid optics on that beauty I fell in love. Worst case scenario I will just fire it at a wall if I have to, I just want to shoot it."
Soundwave began to move away from the ridiculous conversation. "Hey, wait!" Miko ran along the edge of the console she stood on to stay in his sights. "Tell me what's the plan of attack. How soon until we get to Cybertron?"
"You were present for that negotiation with your Autobot guardians, were you not?" Soundwave asked. "You will be Bridged back to Earth when my engine specialist and the Autobot medic are able to make the connection."
The human stomped a single foot against the console, making the equipment under her beep in protest. "Dude, you need to let me stay and help! Plus, you owe me!"
That statement was egregious enough for Soundwave to inquire more. "Enlighten me. How have I found myself in your debt?"
"Letting me stay will make up for that time you guys snatched me, Jack, and Raf to trade for those stupid Omega Keys!" she specified with crossed arms.
Soundwave considered the scowling girl. Was she still lingering on that? "That was a political tactic, not a personal slight against you. This is war, after all. There is no time for holding grudges. However, if you are bringing up past slights as recompence, I will remind you that the direct actions of you and your two human cohorts trapped me and my minicon in the Flux Space for an entire orbital cycle, left to effectively starve into stasis lock or perish. I believe we could now be considered even."
Miko's face fell slightly. "Yeah, ok that does seem fair. But really, I have to stay and help somehow!"
"It's none of your business anyway, fleshy," Demolisher grumbled. "And what would you even do, tiny? You gonna kick the New Council in the heel struts?"
"Got anything small you need crawled into?" she said.
"If she's offering," Rivet vented. "I always have ventilators that need scrubbing."
"See?" Thunderblast said with a smug grin aimed Demolisher's way. "Having a human got us our Spacebridge problem fixed, and someone willing to help Rivet with grunt work. I'd say my impulsive decision is paying off already." She took Miko in her hands and followed Rivet.
"Hate to say, and I mean I really hate to say it," Demolisher said to Soundwave, "but yeah, this scrap heap of a scenario actually worked in our favor."
Soundwave watched the doors close behind Rivet and Thunderblast thoughtfully.
Laserbeak piped in between them, "We can personally attest to it, with our own human that is. I believe the Autobots call the phenomenon, the 'human factor.'"
The Renegade was far from the largest vessel Soundwave had ever been on. Before Megatron disbanded the Decepticons its original use was a cargo ship for less than important troops and shipments. The only reason it had such a powerful weapon, (Thunderblast's obsession, the fusion canon) was because it had been a test ship for the destructive device. Just in case the weapon malfunctioned and had adverse effects on the crew, no one important would have been missed. Thunderblast and her cobbled together crew were able to commandeer it only because Arachnid had not yet drained the ship of its Energon. It was a small morsel in a Kaon shipyard full of much more alluring warships lush with massive Energon tanks.
Such an insignificant vessel had now become the Decepticon Flagship, harboring the last remnants of their cause, and its new leader. Soundwave was not one to appreciate irony like Megatron often did. He paced in his private quarters, reserved for the highest-ranking officer for such a vessel. Thankfully, he was not one to complain about downgrades, because it was three times smaller than his old quarters had been on the Nemesis. Knockout would have been livid and theatrically over the top over such arrangements.
He was supposed to be using this personal time to power down. It had been a while without rest and his internal alarms were becoming hard to ignore. Originally, he hadn't intended to power down at all before their mission. They didn't have much time before the execution. There was work to do and he had an army to run. Only Laserbeak's insistence in the form of sharp pecks into his torso convinced him to at least attempt rest.
Even separated from his crew and in relative quiet, he couldn't force his processor to silence. He was still hardwired into the Renegade's control systems. Anxiousness forced him to check the security feeds so he could observe progress on board. Despite everything running smoothly in his absents, he couldn't stop. Demolisher had the Bridge under control, monitoring for new frequencies from Cybertron. Progress on the Spacebridge was going as well as Rivet had projected it would now that the Autobots were assisting him. Soundwave found himself watching the Engine Room more, as there was more activity there.
A semi-permanent channel was open with Ratchet barking back and forth with Rivet over some minor detail relating to their project. Miko spent a good amount of time in the Engine Room when she wasn't with Thunderblast. Besides volunteering her help to Rivet, Soundwave was sure Miko wanted to assure the Autobots with her presence through the open channel, even if she was only in the background.
"Green button to charge," Soundwave watched Thunderblast explained to her small human audience. They both sat on the ground around a hoard of Thunderblast's weapons. She loaded the handheld blaster and it came alive with a buzz. "Then you have a blast that can last non stop for at least 3 and a half kliks…"
"Hey!" Ratchet said from the small screen projected on the wall. "Keep that Con weaponry away from Miko before it kills her! No! Miko don't touch the gun!"
"She's fiiiiiine," Thunderblast insisted with a wide grin. "You Autobots are so slagging uptight."
"I'm fine, Ratchet," Miko blew off his concern, eyes wide as she examined the buzzing weapon closer.
"We were talking about the disrupter, Autobot." Rivet reminded Ratchet to get him back on task.
Ratchet vented with obvious disgust. "Right right… but just a reminder, if that trigger happy lunatic kills Miko even accidentally the deal is off and we're coming for you!"
Thunderblast's lip plates pursed. Without breaking her defiant optic contact with Ratchet, she took one of her smaller guns from the pile and unloaded a single inactivated bullet. "Here, little firecracker," Thunderblast handed the bullet to Miko. She had to stand up to accept it. It was about the size of her torso but was light enough she could hold it without too much strain. "Those bullets can be activated even outside a gun, so you should be able to aim and fire it right out of the case no trouble. I'll take you to the gun range to practice."
Miko gazed at the single bullet with an enchanted look of aw. "Awesome…" she finally managed to say. "Bulkhead is going to kill me for doing this."
With an assuring smile Thunderblast said, "Rules are made to be broken," and then gave Ratchet a wink.
Rivet started laughing as the Autobot medic was infuriated almost beyond words. Only huffs and stammered protests managed to escape his voice box.
'Master Soundwave!' Laserbeak snapped.
Soundwave hurriedly closed the security feed. Silence stretched between their connection, and Soundwave felt only a little indignant his Minicon had just chastised him. As if he wasn't leader of the Decepticon army.
'You'll be worthless to the Decepticons if you don't power down. Everyone else has. Even me.' Laserbeak offered, softer this time.
'Rest never came easy for me, even before I inherited this, mess.' Soundwave said back. It wasn't like he hadn't tried. But the growing responsibilities taunted him, dancing just out of reach behind his optics. Ironically enough, restlessness was a problem he shared with Rhea. She worked right along side him into the night on most occasions. Both entrenched in different tasks in silence while the world around them slept. More could be done without the distractions of others. He missed her presence. She was grounding.
'It is not yet "midnight" in her region of the Earth's orbit.' Laserbeak offered. 'We could call her.'
'And further burden her?' Soundwave said in disagreement. 'I have already tasked her with a great responsibility while she is still recovering.' Plus, to call Rhea without a reason seemed needlessly, well, needy.
'She is currently wearing the communication device,' Laserbeak pointed out.
Soundwave knew this as well. While it was looped around her ear, he was able to detect her pulse rate and body temperature. Since he had gifted the device to her, she seldom took it off. He was glad for that. It was as if she were there. He was still connected to her, as if they shared a symbiotic connection as he did with Laserbeak. It gave him peace of mind. But, unlike Laserbeak, she wasn't there. True, even from a distance he could sense her life force, like he could his minicon, but they were still separate. He couldn't be there to help her if anything went wrong.
Terrible memories surfaced from the early days of the war. Such a long-distance connection was the same circumstance where he lost Ravage, feeling helpless lightyears away when that connection suddenly snuffed out…
'I'm calling her.' Laserbeak informed him coldly, not asking permission to do so.
'Hey guys,' Rhea's chipper voice came through the connection before Soundwave could stop Laserbeak from signaling her. 'I'm making great progress on the shielding frequency you needed. Without asking any questions, Raf has helped me sneak in and out to get what I need.'
Soundwave frowned, now even more disappointed in himself. Even poor Rhea was working into the night while he was resting.
'What you are doing now is not 'resting' Master Soundwave.' Laserbeak huffed.
'What?' Rhea asked, rightfully confused.
'Nothing,' Soundwave said quickly. 'Good work on the frequency shield. We are making good progress on the Spacebridge configuration. We will be to Cybertron in a few days.'
'The Autobots have basically been screaming at the Council day and night to stop the execution,' Rhea informed him with a sigh. 'Still no luck.'
Soundwave was surprised by that report. Why were the Autobots still fighting so hard to stop the Council? True, their methods for doing so were worthless, but he assumed they would have long since given up the task. From their prospective, only Decepticon lives were on the line.
'What else did you need me to do?' Rhea asked. She must have assumed that was the reason he was contacting her. That would be logical… but he didn't have any true reason, other than missing her.
'What is the status of your recovery?' he inquired.
Rhea snorted a laugh. He could picture what her face would look like when making the inflection of amusement. 'Pelvis, left femur, and collar bone are still broken. Other then that, I can't complain. I don't need any of that to use my computer.'
Soundwave stopped his incessant pacing about his quarters and sat on the edge of his berth. 'That is good to hear. Relating to both your recovery, and the shielding frequency.' He hesitated, unsure what else to say.
'Soundwave, are you ok?'
Of course she would still be able to see right through him, even when they were solar systems away from each other.
'He is not.' Laserbeak informed her matter-of-factly before he had a chance to formulate an excuse.
He was sure Laserbeak felt the overwhelming pulse of annoyance and warning Soundwave radiated at him. Laserbeak used to be so timid, what in Primus' name happened?
'Everything is fine, regarding the mission.' He stated, firm and before Laserbeak could interject further. 'We will arrive in time to save our comrades. And then move forward with our original plan to reclaim the Decepticon forces from Arachnid.'
'But?' Rhea guessed.
With a tired vent, Soundwave conceded. 'I am, doubtful, about my effectiveness as Decepticon leader. Which is illogical. Megatron had given me temporary control of his forces before, when he first left and discovered Dark Energon. But I was not the only one responsible for the Decepticons. Responsibilities were split between other officers. Decisions were voted on. Most of all…" He stopped. This shouldn't be Rhea's burden. And speaking it was proving his point, feeding into his fear.
'We're a team,' she suddenly reminded him.
For better or worse, they were indeed.
'When Megatron and I spoke on Pluto, he made me realize many things I have chosen to stay blinded to. He was a true leader, more then I ever can be. Even still, he changed. The war warped him, as it did us all. I fear, that this role as Decepticon leader will warp me in a similar way.'
He assumed her silence was contemplative. Then with a careful tone she spoke. 'I think, in certain instances, that fear isn't a bad thing. Did Megatron ever fear changing from who he used to be?'
'Never,' Soundwave confirmed.
'Exactly. And because of that, he couldn't see the change within himself. It's on your radar now. You know what to look for, and if not you, then Laserbeak and I do. Why did the Decepticons rise to power in the first place? How did its movement move so many Cybertronians to its side?'
That was a complicated question. Megatron's inspiring nature was a major factor, but in a way, Soundwave's former master was only the spark that lit the Energon keg. 'We were a movement of needed change,' Soundwave said. 'A want for equality. Fighting against the twisted archaic ways. A rebellious spark that took the title of Decepticon because our truth was heresy to those we fought…' He laid down on the berth to stare hard at the ceiling. He studied the warped lines of his reflection in the metal panels. 'I wonder when that all changed? When we decided Megatron's rule was better than the Senates? I was complacent as Megatron descended…'
'Now you're in the rare position to bring those ideals back,' Rhea said. She gave her random laugh and then added, 'Or make it better. Sometimes you do have to fight. That's what you're doing now to free those prisoners. You're saving the innocent, those who can't fight for themselves against this old prejudice. That is proof to me you're on the right track.
'There is this human here on Earth, my dad quoted him all the time. Dick Gregory, I think his name is… "The only good thing about the good old days is they're gone." The nonsense of the past is over, but you never want to forget it. And I know you won't. You know what's at stake if you do. That's how I know you won't change, like Megatron did.'
Humans could say very wise things, and not even live a fraction of a Cybertronian lifetime. It made him wonder who the more advanced race was.
'But,' Rhea added quickly. 'I'm willing to bet you have everything planned to free those prisoners, take down Arachnid and restore the Decepticon movement. So right now, you need to just get it off your mind, or it will drive you nuts.'
Now Soundwave was the one to laugh. 'That is my present goal.'
'Well, coming from someone who's brain never shuts up, I can relate,' she said with a sympathetic sigh. 'My trick is to focus on something completely different. I close my eyes and go away, in a matter of speaking. I like touching smooth things. It's kind of like a promise to myself everything will be ok. But that's just me.'
Soundwave contemplated that thought. What could distract him from the burdens of the Decepticons? Almost instantly, he recalled the moment he stood on the shore next to Rhea. Listening to her, confiding in her his real voice, his true buried emotions. Throwing away his mask into the waves; a promise to himself that there was no turning back to the way things were. He deactivated his optics to better picture the moment. Rhea was speaking softer now, and he let her words wash away his worry.
He couldn't pretend the war wasn't real, but he could promise to himself what he would do when it was won. Megatron was gone. He was all his people had left. He would restore Cybertron to a world Rhea would be proud to see. A world he would be proud to pass down to the future residence who would reside there.
'Soundwave?' Rhea's voice was far away, safe on Earth, standing on that distant shore.
Among the last things he could still process as the world dimmed was Laserbeak's voice. 'Mission accomplished. His silence is due to him finally powering down. Thank you for your assistance, Rhea.'
Scarcely a whisper, he heard Rhea's gentle laughter, 'Anytime. Good night guys… And I'll see you soon.'
