The big 3 O! Thanks to everyone who is sticking with this crazy train of a story! It's always a blast to write and truly is a labor of love. I also love everyone's suggestions for ideas in the comments. I try and respond to questions when I can and consider all the awesome ideas about characters and plot. And that includes the people using Guest accounts who comment! Unfortunately, the website won't let me reply to people using Guest accounts, but know that I appreciate you too!
As much as I love this franchise, I am the first to admit I don't know everything I should about back story and lore so all help is appreciated! On this topic of lore, I'll take this moment to give a shout out to my favorite Youtuber and encyclopedic knower of all Transformers Prime lore, Emperor Kumquat! Whenever I don't know something, I hop, skip, and jump over to their channel and almost always find what I'm looking for. In related news, Emperor Kumquat just finished the first part of their Transformers Prime project, which is a whole freaking choose your own adventure video game on Youtube called Mercy which I am obsessed with and recommend all who love Starscream to go check out. I don't know them personally; I am just amazed by their talent and wanted to share!
Thanks again for everyone's support! As always, comment and tell me what you think, and please enjoy!
Location: The Renegade
Soundwave
Before thinking to ask Soundwave for permission, Thunderblast had flooded the ship with a mix of oxygen and nitrogen. This breach in command allowed Rhea to remain safer aboard his ship, so Soundwave overlooked it.
Thunderblast prattled on to a captivated Miko about their fight with the Elite Guard. How they saved the prisoners just in time and they looked awesome doing so. Soundwave didn't bother listening. He instead stood with Rhea still perched in his hands, listening to her updates about the Earth base.
"Wedge brought a bunch of his friends to help set up an actual structure for everyone to inhabit." Rhea explained. "All I could do was finish the life signal scrambling frequency you asked for.
Wedge, his friends, and a lot of others you sent have really helped. For a bunch of cobbled together ship pieces hidden under the water it's amazing. I may spend most of my time there, when I'm supposed to be in my hospital room resting."
"It is good you are there to supervise." Soundwave said. "I would not trust such a project without your input." He hesitated, taking note of her large pack she had with her. It was full of what he assumed were provisions she required which the Renegade did not have, like food and water. Though she didn't know how long she would be there, she was prepared regardless. A glance Miko's way revealed the other teen did not share in Rhea's diligence. She had what looked like a small, wrapped nourishment bar in her pocket, and that was it. Though it was more then she had brought with her the last time.
Seeing Rhea's supplies did bring about a darker thought Soundwave almost didn't want to share with her. But they were a team, and he had to be honest. "I need to inform you of my most recent discovery. I don't want you to worry, as the chances for it coming to pass are low. I want you to prepare regardless."
Rhea's face fell somewhat. "What is it?"
"Arachnid, the one who is standing in the way of my regaining control over the Decepticons. She has presented an interest in Earth." Soundwave explained with a frowned. Though she seemed alarmed, Rhea didn't interrupt. "She is after a supply of Dark Energon under the Earth's surface. Her reasons are still unclear. She may not have any true reason and is only irrational from the Dark Energon virus. She wanted me to Bridge her to Earth in exchange for Kaon. I did not take the deal. I couldn't…"
"Thank you." She said, holding onto one of his digits. He could tell she was truly grateful. Seeing the relief in her face, he knew he had made the right choice. He would reclaim Kaon some other way.
"Though Arachnid does not have access to Earth at the moment. I will need you to begin transporting as many provisions as you can through the Spacebridge and back to the ship. In case I need you to be off world at a moment's notice." He said as gently as he could.
"I can't run away from Earth if Arachnid is going to hurt other people." Rhea insisted.
Soundwave had been afraid of her protesting. "As I said, such chances are low. In truth, it is only for my own peace of mind."
Rhea sighed, but she finally conceded with a nod. "Yeah, I'll start getting as much stuff as I can."
Soundwave smiled at her. "Thank you, Rhea."
With a firm knock the door opened. Demolisher wandered in with a slight bow, a data pad in the way of his line of sight. "Master Soundwave. We started picking up a leak consisting of many gases throughout the ventilation systems. Did you know-" He glanced up from the data pad's readings, and spotted Miko on Thunderblast's shoulder. Demolisher considered the scene for a moment. He gave a long and defeated vent, then left the room without another word.
"Well, that secret is out of the bag." Thunderblast snickered.
"How's the old mechanic bot Rivet doing?" Miko inquired.
"Still a grouch!" Thunderblast assured her with a smile. "Ship should be full enough with your Earth gasses, let's go bother him!" The two rushed out of Soundwave's quarters. Both sported equally devious grins intended for the Renegade's poor engine master.
"Us being here isn't a problem for you, right?" Rhea asked, glancing up from the door to look at him.
Soundwave considered Demolisher's reaction, and then the closed door of his quarters. "No. As it was brought to my attention, this is my ship, my crew, and my cause. I can do whatever I want."
Laserbeak trilled a knowing laugh before attaching himself to Soundwave once more. He mentally checked the free-floating gases among the Renegade. It was an adequate amount to sustain human life. Whatever Thunderblast had rigged was working. "I am needed on the Bridge… Would you like a tour?" he offered.
Rhea smiled wide. "More then you could possibly know."
On the trek to the Bridge with Rhea in his one hand, he only received a few odd looks. And that was only when the occasional passing crew member thought Soundwave wasn't looking. He placed Rhea on the front console on the Bridge. She stared out the ship's viewing panels, mesmerized by the stars rushing by. "We aren't quite out of your Galaxy yet." Soundwave explained. "I have yet to Spacebridge the Renegade itself to Cybertron's Galaxy. I imagine the Council is patrolling there. I will do so when the time is right."
"Have I mentioned how much I love space?" Rhea said, unable to look away from the sight.
"Very fortunate you now have access to a Spacecraft." Laserbeak chuckled between the three of them.
The doors to the Bridge opened, letting in the sound of Miko and Thunderblast's chatter. They even had roped Rivet into the conversation. The old bot saw Rhea on the console next to Soundwave and gave a single nod. "Good. I wanted to be sure his Lordship knew about the organics, lest I get in trouble too."
Thunderblast grinned at him. "Oh, is ratting me out the only reason you came along with us? You like the company, whether you want to admit it or not."
"Of course not!" Rivet snarled. He addressed Soundwave with a bow, then made his way to one of the wall panels. "I was coming here anyway, to do my biannual calibration checks…" He fiddled with the wires for a moment more before adding. "While I have ya though, how is my poor excuse for an ex-apprentice doing on Earth?"
"Wedge is doing great." Rhea answered for him. "He's really talented with engineering and construction."
"Of course he is!" Rivet huffed. "I taught him everything he knows."
"And his friends are hilarious." Miko added from Thunderblast's shoulder. "I didn't even know there were more Autobots on Earth before Wedge introduced us! Some sort of trainee academy hidden up in Maine. He's basically top of the class."
"Good to hear…" Rivet vented. His focus flitted between the same three wires, obviously distracted.
"He talks a lot about you, actually." Rhea said to Rivet.
"All the time," Miko added. "Come on engine bot! You can at least stop by to visit. What about retirement? Earth would be a good place to spend it." She said, waggling her eyebrows.
Rivet gave her a strange look over his shoulder. "What's retirement?"
"Ok, that settles it!" Miko exclaimed. "We ALL need to take a trip to Earth when this war is over. It will do everyone here some good."
"Um, Lord Soundwave?" Came the uncertain voice of Clobber. Her timid voice was almost drowned out by the sound of the Bridge door opening and her own heavy ped steps. Soundwave turned to take in the massive bot's nervous air. She seemed worried whatever she had to report would get her in trouble. When he did so, he zeroed in on the three squirming humans in her clawed grasp. All three he recognized right away. Agent Fowler, Jack, and Raphael. "I found these near your quarters… I wasn't sure what to do with them. But-" Clobber blinked her single red optic, noticing Rhea and Miko next to Soundwave and Thunderblast. "Ok, so you know about them then." She said and sounded very relieved. "I wasn't sure if they were Thunderblast's pets and had gotten out. I didn't remember these in her room when she showed me."
"Oh!" Miko interrupted, which startled Clobber. "What are you guys doing here?"
"I can ask the same thing about you!" Flower snapped back at Miko. "You and Rhea were gone, and I saw the Spacebridge activated with these coordinates in it. I came through to bring you both back! Then before I knew it both boys came running after me and the darn thing closed behind us! We were not even out the first door before this big bulldozer swiped us up!"
"They are fine, Clobber. I am aware." Soundwave assured her.
Clobber nodded, then let the three humans down as gently as she could manage. Agent Fowler dusted his suit off, then turned to look up at Soundwave. "Look, this was on me. I can stay in the kid's place, if this is a hostage thing."
"That is not the case." Soundwave promised. "None of you are in danger aboard my ship. If you wish to return to Earth, you can."
Miko climbed down from Thunderblast's shoulder and rushed over to hug the other two teens. "You guys thought you had to save me? That's so sweet!"
"It wouldn't be the first time, Miko!" Jack grumbled. "Seriously, why? What if you had run through the Spacebridge and there had been no air?"
Miko crossed her arms. "First of all, Rhea went through first, and she's smarter than me. I figured if she knew it was safe, then I could tag along. Plus! You guys then ran in after Fowler, so look who's dumb too!"
The door opened once again. Demolisher froze in the open entrance as he took in the humans scattered about the Bridge. "Gaah! Are the organics coming out of the fragging walls?" he snarled before storming back out.
"Will he be ok?" Clobber worried.
"Oh sure," Thunderblast assured her. "He's only upset because he can't stomp around like normal without having to watch where he steps, in case he steps on a human."
Clobber got down on one of her knee joints. "So these are humans, hu? They are really small, but they talk. That's interesting…" she said while poking Fowler in the arm. "Is there enough oxygen for them?"
Thunderblast flapped the wings on her back. She was clearly excited to have someone else share in her interest in organic life. "The trick isn't the oxygen or nitrogen, but how much CO2 you can pull out of the air. It's a complex formula, but I have it down."
"That's amazing." Clobber said, sincere as always.
"What are these organics doing here?"
Soundwave looked to the only bot to question him so far. The bot wasn't even a part of his crew. It was Jetfire, who had been working in the lower deck of the Bridge before coming up to take in the many humans. Jetfire glared at Soundwave, silently demanding an answer.
Soundwave knew he owed the Autobot no such answer, so he remained silent.
"Hey, he has an Autobot emblem." Raf pointed out.
Jetfire startled. "You, know about Autobots and Decepticons?"
"Sure do." Miko said with a shrug. "We are friends with the bots on Team Prime. We're basically part of the team."
"Then why are they here, and not on Earth?" Jetfire went on to question.
"The same could be said about you, Jets." Thunderblast snapped back.
Jetfire shook his helm with growing frustration. "No! I mean, weather they know about us or not, you took a bunch of organics off their world and brought them here as glorified pets? You don't have the right to do that."
Soundwave returned the glare. This bot didn't even know the humans, and he felt justified to lecture them about where they belonged. It was a reminder how much trouble he would likely face in the future when he intended to take Rhea to Cybertron. His Autobot 'allies' would stand in his way.
Thunderblast rolled her optics. "Such an Autobot thing to say. How about you mind your own damn business?"
Jetfire looked as if he intended to say more. But the beeping of the long-range communicator caught his focus. Soundwave hurried over to answer the beacon personally. Rhea sat on the console, watching his fingers fly across the keys. Before he even decoded the message, he already knew it was the response he was waiting for from the Autobots.
"You're Autobot associates don't waste time." Soundwave said to his human audience.
"It's from Bee and the others?" Raf asked with a gasp.
Soundwave nodded as he read over the coded message. "They are offering to assist in our attempts to regain Shockwave from the New Council." As he read on, he froze.
"What is it?" Rhea asked.
"A warning. We may have to allude Predacons the New Council has made Shockwave clone." Predacons. Soundwave had been afraid they were the ones hunting down Decepticons.
"Predacons?" Rhea echoed.
"Giant robot dragons." Miko explained.
Rhea blinked at her. "Well crap."
"If that is the case, we will need every advantage we can get." Soundwave said. Silently he connected to Demolisher, Sharpshot, and Blitzwing's comlinks. 'Mobilize the troops and prepare to Spacebridge to Cybertron.' He told them. "Rhea." He said and turned his focus to her. "I must liberate another member of my forces. You are welcome to return to Earth, or-"
"Nope." Rhea said with a smirk. "I'm staying right here until you come back safe."
He returned a soft grin. "Then you have full access to the ship. Thunderblast, you are in command until I return. Can I trust you to safeguard our organic guests while I am gone?"
Thunderblast saluted him. "As your Second in Command and organic's expert you have nothing to worry about."
"Clobber will act as your second while I'm gone." Soundwave added.
The large bot's hinged jaw hung open. "I-I won't let you down, Master." Clobber promised, and clumsily took her place next to Thunderblast.
With Rhea's safety taken care of, Soundwave would be able to focus on the task at hand. The humans remained out of the way alongside Thunderblast and Clobber as the troops Soundwave summoned arrived. Demolisher was doing his best to ignore the humans. He was distracting himself with the prospect of a fight. Blitzwing appeared excited as well, The cold and thoughtful side of himself overtaken by the violent half. Then there was Sharpshot, with their loyal Vehicon unit standing at attention. Sharpshot's encouraging words of support still lingered among the troops.
Soundwave almost opened the Spacebridge leading to Cybertron, but he hesitated. He may not be the best speaker, but Sharpshot was right. Soundwave was Decepticon Leader. His discomfort aside, he needed to say something before they rushed into the unknown.
"We will retrieve our fellow Decepticon from the New Council, no matter what obstacles stand in our way." Soundwave said. He was painfully aware his tone and affect were still too flat. He pushed on regardless. "Regaining Shockwave will do more for our cause then gaining a scientific advantage. It will show the New Council we aren't so easily bested, even in the face of adversity. We are going to face the might of Predacons, but in this rare instance, the Autobots will provide us cover. Predacon's aligned with our cause intend to draw enemy fire, clearing our path."
"Beasts against us and beasts with us," Demolisher snickered. "Should make things interesting."
Blitzwing raised a servo. "Question, my Lord. Can ve use the Autobot's bodies as shields?"
Soundwave refrained from rolling his optics. "No. We are not to engage the Autobots unless they turn on us, which I do not calculate to be a likely possibility. They need Shockwave out of the New Council's clutches as much as we do. Are there other concerns that need addressing before we initiate our mission?"
There was a beat of silence. Then Sharpshot spoke. "None at all. We have your back, Master." They promised confidently.
Soundwave opened the Space bridged to the closest available coordinates on Cybertron. The New Council were not fools. They had a disruptor shield that would keep anyone from Bridging right into their base. Soundwave's team would have to sneak in the old fashion way.
"Bee and the other's will watch your backs." Raf insisted before Soundwave could step through. He hesitated. The human had so much confidence in the statement. There was a time Soundwave would have scoffed at the concept of an Autobot watching his back. He was less sure now. He offered the teen a single nod then ran through the portal.
As he calculated, they arrived in one of the many access tunnels outside of Iacon. The Bridge closed behind them. The sudden silence of Cybertron's underground was haunting. Soundwave checked their location and motioned his group forward with a silent gesture.
Any novice would have gotten lost in the underground labyrinth. but Soundwave knew these tunnels well. He used them often while he still worked as an Iacon spy. Then he used them again, but against the Senate when he joined the Decepticons.
There was movement around the next corner, and he halted the party. It was either a lost vagrant, or something more sinister, like a guarding Predacon. He didn't give the signal to attack just yet. Still silent, he deployed one of his data cables. The sensors would not be able to see, but they would give him an idea using an infrared scanner.
The appendage snaked around the corner to scan the next tunnel. He retracted it the moment he read the massive form in the adjacent passage. He activated his weapons, and his group did the same. Listening to its lumbering steps Soundwave calculated their monstrous opponent's size.
The sound of large ped steps stopped.
Clicking and clamping metal incisors echoed off the tunnels. Then came a familiar, beast like growl that was impossible to mistake. It wasn't a Predacon, but Soundwave was far from relieved.
"Energon… I smell Energon." Hissed a guttural voice. A transformation rang out, followed by the frantic beating of large wings. Soundwave aimed his blasters up just as the Insecticon came screaming around the bend. "Energon for the Queen!" It screamed, purple droplets spraying from between its mandibles.
Soundwave opened fire. His crew were only a klik behind his example. The collective blaster fire threw the infected Insecticon off course. It crashed into a wall, shrieking its auditory splitting cry.
"One of Arachnid's scouts!" Sharpshot shouted over the fray. "Aim for the wings! It slows them down enough to get a good shot at the core!"
Soundwave didn't question their advice. He fired on the delicate joints while the others blasted at it's beating wings. The Insecticon smashed into the ground. It struggled to get into the air despite it's damaged wings. It splashed through old stagnant puddles of acid rain that had leaked from the surface. Even injured, the Insecticon got to it's massive peds. It's mandibles unhinged as it charged forward.
A final barrage of blaster fire brought it down for good.
Soundwave scanned over the fallen Insecticon from a distance to assure it was Sparkless. Beyond the involuntary twitches, it was gone.
"That one was harder to take down then normal." Sharpshot reported, a rare edge in their tone. "They're traveling farther from the nest. They must be getting desperate."
Demolisher huffed. "Because I'm sure Arachnid drained all the Energon we had managed to scavenge before she arrived."
"Keep moving." Soundwave said and sidestepped the fallen Insecticon. The back-and-forth debate regarding Arachnid ended before more shuffling caught their attention. Their blasters came to life once more.
"Let us not vait for them to attack us!" Blitzwing whispered. "Ve must strike first!"
Soundwave held up a servo and gave a shake of his helm. He wasn't sure why he hesitated. It went against his instincts not to agree with Blitzwing. They already confirmed Insecticons were there. And he now heard more than one source up ahead. They needed the element of surprise. But he hesitated.
Much like before, the sounds silenced. Whatever was around the bend heard them too. Soundwave pressed against the corner. He shifted his blaster out and jumped out of hiding, taking aim, but not firing.
He was met with another gun aimed at him in return, but a pair of bright blue optics behind the hesitant blaster.
"Soundwave!" Bumblebee said after getting over the shock. He shifted his gun away.
"Stand down." Soundwave ordered to his team. And it was just in time. His team had come screaming around the corner and almost unleashed a barrage of attacks before stumbling to a stop at his command. Bumblebee lifted his servos in a show of peace regardless. "We got your message." Bumblebee explained to Soundwave with a sideways smirk.
More Autobots emerged from the shadows of the tunnels. There was obvious tension between the two parties, but Soundwave ignored it. "There are infected Insecticons in these tunnels." Soundwave offered, as a small show of good faith of his own.
Arcee put her blaster away and grumbled. "Good to know they haven't only been picking on us."
"Remind me again why these Bot's are turning on their high and mighty Council?" Demolisher snarled.
"We aren't stupid." Smokescreen snapped back. "We know what they're doing isn't right! And if they keep Shockwave, they will just keep pumping out Predacons and who knows what other crazy evil weapons!"
"Stop." Both Soundwave and Bumblebee said to their own parties simultaneously. This annoyed Soundwave a considerable amount.
"We need each other to continue forward." Soundwave went on to explain. "We will reach a point where I will either have to hack passed the security door, which will sound the alarm. If the Autobots put in their access codes, the New Council will be non the wiser."
Coming up from the darkness were two other bots and the last of Bumblebee's party. One of them was grumbling complaints the whole time. This red opticed bot was no Autobot, and he froze alongside Wheeljack.
Bumblebee snickered. "Oh yeah, by the way we found Starscream. We're watching him for Predaking because he doesn't trust him alone at the Citadel."
"Who can blame Predaking for that?" Arcee agreed.
The Seeker thawed from his shock, relief flooding his chassis. "Thank the All Spark! I'm saved!" Starscream shoved his way passed Wheeljack and the other Autobots. Soundwave knew Starscream for millennia. He liked to think he could predict the Seeker's actions, no matter how unpredictable. This false confidence didn't prepare him at all when Starscream rushed up and grabbed him in a desperate hug. After registering the absurdity of the action Soundwave yanked himself free from the unsolicited embrace.
Starscream was far from bothered. A tumble of words escaped his mouth plates and once he started, he failed to stop. "It's been horrible, my old friend! I have been prisoner to the Predacons this whole time! I've been waiting for his Lordship to return and rekindle our most glorious of causes. But then I heard Megatron assigned you as the new Lord. Though I assume this was only because he couldn't find me first… But you wear the title very well if I may say!" He spun around with Soundwave at his back, a smug grin aimed the Autobot's direction. "And I am happy to take charge as your Second in Command! I will start my duty by assisting you in exterminating the Autobot scum!"
The Autobots looked far from shocked, only offering Starscream glares and disappointed vents. Starscream held the intimidating posture for a moment more. Then glanced at Soundwave when he failed to open fire on the Autobots, or acknowledge him in any way.
"We are not here to fight the Autobots." Soundwave clarified.
Starscream stammered. "W-what?"
"I require their access into Iacon. The Predacon's are also creating a distraction above ground to draw fire and attention away from us. Our current mission is to retrieve Shockwave… and I suppose you as well."
Starscream blinked at him in surprise but recovered quickly. "A very intelligent strategy indeed, Lord…Soundwave. Of course, lead the way! But, if it is not too much trouble, could I finally be liberated from this brutish restraint?" He pointed to his back at the metal wrapped around his wings. Soundwave hadn't calculated such a long delay. Though he did acknowledge the restraint looked uncomfortable.
"Demolisher." Soundwave said before motioning for the rest of his group to carry on.
Demolisher cracked his finger joints on his walk over. Without warning he snatched Starscream by a shoulder and wrenched the metal off. This all transpired before Starscream had time to yelp. After the initial exclamation of pain, Starscream gazed over his shoulders, hesitant to behold any damage. He gave his wings a few testing flaps. Seeing he was fine, he seemed to be fighting the urge to collapse in relief. "You have my eternal gratitude, my Lord!"
Bumblebee nudged Soundwave in the shoulder. "Predaking is going to have words with you about letting him go."
"I am assisting in this collective plot to stop the enslavement of his people." Soundwave pointed out. "I would hope, he would recognize we are even. Starscream is a Decepticon, there for he is a member of my army."
"And he's officially your problem then, chief." Wheeljack snickered as they carried on.
Soundwave tried not to think how much work he created for himself by reclaiming Megatron's lost Second in Command. Starscream was a brilliant strategist, he tried to reason with himself. Though sometimes more trouble than he was worth. He was sure he would fit Starscream into the folds of his new chain of command somewhere.
"Um Lord, Soundwave." Starscream mumbled, coming up to whisper over his shoulder. Soundwave acknowledged he heard him with a look. "I have heard word through less then reliable sources that you have acquired a Second in Command?"
"Commander Thunderblast." Soundwave retorted. "She organized the escape from Arachnid with what remained of Cybertron's forces. Then she commandeered the last Space-faring vessel and picked up my SOS signal on Earth. I left her in charge of the ship in my absence."
"Oh, so it's true." Starscream grumbled. "I do hope, she is fulfilling her duties to the best of her abilities. On an unrelated note... I am not here to question your no doubt carefully considered strategy. But are we sure we can trust the Autobots with this mission to retrieve our comrade Shockwave?"
The Autobots had taken point, leading a few kliks ahead of Soundwave's party. They were none the wiser to Starscream's question. "We have little choice." Soundwave answered at last. "Arachnid devastated our cavalry forces, with the help of the New Council. I've determined the Autobots would rather Shockwave be in our custody then the New Council's."
"Ah," Starscream mumbled. His red optics flicked about. Soundwave had found they did that when Starscream was concocting something. "And, we lost our much needed forces under, Thunderblast's command?" he asked innocently.
Violent rumbles shook the tunnels. It almost knocked them off their peds and into the grimy puddles.
"Predaking must have started the distraction up above." Bumblebee explained. We need to hurry."
There was no more chatter as they rushed along. They stopped only when an occasional tremble forced them to brace and remain upright. There were no guards patrolling to get in their way, even as they entered the more maintained passageways under Iacon. The Autobots were correct. Almost all available forces under the New Council must have been fighting Predaking above.
A massive, reinforced doorway bearing the Autobot emblem blocked their advancement. It was the last barrier standing between them and the Iacon laboratories. Soundwave tried to hide his disdain for the familiar location as he shifted to the front of the line. He stationed himself in front of the door's access panel and unfurled his data cables to link himself in. "I will need the Autobot access codes to assure we do not sound an alarm." He said, not looking away from his work.
There was hesitation amongst the Autobots, but Bumblebee finally stepped forward to type in the code.
"Welcome to the Cons, kid." Demolisher snickered. "If they track that code back to you, I'd imagine they'll rank you among us traitors."
Arcee and the others snapped something harsh back at him. Soundwave was ignoring the bickering as he focused on his task. But Bumblebee radiated uncertainty by his side, and it was distracting. "I knew Decimus for a long time. Too long, for my liking." He began to explain to the yellow bot. "He will not suspect anything. He will assume we tortured the codes out of an Autobot before he suspects a willing alliance. Even if he did, they will not be able to back trace anything through my hack."
Bumblebee released a nervous chuckle. "Thanks for the reassurance. Though, we'll be changing the passwords after this little venture."
"I would be disappointed in your faction if you didn't." Soundwave said.
Bumblebee's energy field seemed to relax, though he seemed to be hesitating to say something else. "Was there anything else we need to know before entering the Autobot laboratories?" Soundwave said.
"Oh, no. It's not that." Bumblebee promised. "It's something else, about you actually. Do you know a bot by the name of MacCadam?"
Soundwave rose an optic ridge but didn't glance away from his task. "By name and reputation alone."
"He's a great bot." Bumblebee explained. "He's helping Con refugees right now."
"Has he switched to our side?" Soundwave asked.
Bumblebee shrugged in Soundwave's peripheral vision. "I'm not sure if sides apply to him anymore. He was never much of an Autobot even during the war. But MacCadam wanted me to pass along a message to you."
"What does he want?"
"Nothing. He wanted you to know you don't have to take the same path as Megatron to do what is right for the Decepticons." Bumblebee said.
"Noted." Soundwave said dismissing the advice.
"He also mentioned Rhea already brought up the topic and you should listen to her." Bumblebee added.
Soundwave stopped his work for a beat, icy dread crawling up his back struts. "Did you tell him about Rhea?" Soundwave inquired coldly.
"Nope." Bumblebee promised. "MacCadam knows everything. It's best not to even guess how he does. Has Rhea mentioned the topic?" he wondered.
Soundwave only frowned. In fact, he and Rhea had discussed the very thing this MacCadam felt the need to remind him. The conversation in question had taken place in their minds. In the completely confidential frequency he shared with only Laserbeak and Rhea. There was no possible way this MacCadam would have been witness to the conversation. This disturbed him immensely.
But it did force him to further consider Rhea's words from their conversation once more. He didn't like thinking about it. Even with Rhea's confidence in him, he worried he would choose the wrong path for the Decepticons. Or have it twist him, spiral down into oblivion while dragging their cause with him. The same fate that befell Megatron. He did not share any of this with the Autobot scout.
The door to the Autobot laboratories clicked. Soundwave and Bumblebee took a step back as it shifted.
Starscream vented with true relief. "One step closer to victory, my Lord! After we liberate Shockwave, we will retake Darkmount Citadel from the usurper king, Predaking. Then, I will never have to see another brutish Predacon for the rest of my life!" he said with an excited longing.
The doors opened in one swift motion. The action revealed the small pack of Predacon guards behind the door. Their hungry and feral yellow optics raised to lock onto Soundwave and Bumblebee.
Starscream managed to release a defeated whimper. "Scrap."
