Author's Notes: Well, I sure have been gone a while with little explanation! My bronchitis came back with a vengeance, and I have been next to useless on every front, writing included! I hope this ridiculously long chapter makes up for my absence. I will try to recover my schedule over the next week or so. I hope everyone had a great holiday and new year, and I can only hope this coming year will be less chaotic then the previous two. As always, thank you all for your loving support and words! Please enjoy!
Location: Kaon Capital, the Renegade
Soundwave
He remained stoic in the corner as Shockwave worked wordlessly. He didn't want to interrupt, but he couldn't leave without news. In a way, the situation was oddly nostalgic. The two quiet Cons that did well to avoid others. Neither needed to fill the silence between them with awkward small talk. Soundwave could almost imagine them on the Nemesis. Back then, things were predictable and routine. Simple. War was terrible, but easy to understand. Megatron's rule unquestioned, as was their cause. The Autobots were the enemy. If there was a problem, such as Dark Energon crazed bots, they would terminate them and not give the situation a second thought.
Soundwave wondered if his old self would even believe this new status quo if he were able to glimpse it. They were not on the resource bountiful Nemesis. They now stood in the small temporary lab they had established on the Renegade. The Autobots were far from enemies now, but instead necessary allies. And of course, Megatron was nowhere to be found. Soundwave was his replacement. As for the Dark Energon virus, that was the reason Soundwave now lurked in the lab. So many had been infected. It would boarder on genocide if they terminated all those bitten. Even with Cybertron restored, their people were so few.
Soundwave may not feel comfortable as Decepticon leader, but he assumed his popularity for the role would take a noticeable hit if he ordered a mass slaughter of his own people, infected or not. They needed to find a cure and restore order. If they could do that, global trust in the Decepticons would be secured.
"With our limited resources on hand," Shockwave began, their status quo of silence shattered. "Finding a way to nullify the Dark Energon virus, or even creating a preventative treatment, will take much longer than first anticipated."
This wasn't news, but it was still disappointing to hear confirmed from Shockwave. "Can you estimate?" Soundwave asked.
Shockwave consulted the notes on his data pad. "With our limited equipment, I calculate it should take at least one orbital cycle. And that is a liberal estimate."
Soundwave tried not to let his disappointment leak into his flat expression. That was way too long. The number of infected was rising beyond what they could contain. Predaking had created a system to put all the infected into medically induced stasis. It was a temporary solution until something more sustainable was available. But they were running out of stasis pods that could handle the specialized task. They did not have a 'liberal' orbital cycle to waste.
"Much of our technologies that could aid in my research may still be in storage. What is the status on the Kaon underground?" Shockwave asked.
The Kaon Underground. Yet one more thing Soundwave still needed to deal with. "Arachnid still occupies the first layer of the underground. She has been unable to penetrate the lower levels." And that was very fortunate. While he linked into the Iacon Prison to rescue Rhea, Soundwave liberated files from the New Council's database. There he was able to see their correspondence with Arachnid. He saw how desperate she was to gain a Spacebridge to Earth. "I have been unable to create a remote Bridge into the lower levels. The facility's shielding to keep the Autobots from bypassing our defenses are unbreachable. When constructing the bunkers, it was never assumed we could not get into them because of one of our own." Soundwave explained further. He paused, going over the mental map of the Kaon underground in his mind. As it happened, there was a permanent Bridge in the Kaon Underground. That, along with the large supply of Energon, was probably why she had yet to evacuate the area. Without the New Council's help, which ended when they dismantled Decimus and Sigil, she would need to rely on any other means of getting to Earth.
But Soundwave could also benefit from that same fixed Bridge. In fact, their victory depended on it. If they could sneak by Arachnid's swarm, they could create a hard link into the fixed Bridge. Then they would be able to warp in and out past the bunker's shielding whenever they wanted.
"We could sneak a party into the bunkers and activate the fixed Bridge." Shockwave said, already on the same wavelength as Soundwave. Of course, Shockwave knew about the stationary Bridge. He built it.
"The probability of failure for such a mission is unreasonably high." Soundwave said while trying not to vent with exasperation. And even if they beat the odds, he was sure the fatalities of such a mission would be steep.
"What about your Minicon, Laserbeak?" Shockwave inquired. Soundwave tried to repress his panic hearing those words. "Is he not a more capable spy for such a mission?"
Laserbeak was more than a capable spy. He had done similar missions thousands of times before. But the empty space on his torso made his Spark ache. Thinking about sending Laserbeak into Arachnid's swarm was terrifying.
'Am I required on Cybertron, Master?' Laserbeak asked. Even on Earth with Rhea, Laserbeak felt his internal conflict.
'Stand by.' Soundwave ordered a bit harsher than he intended.
"I will investigate the situation further and make my final decision soon." Soundwave said to Shockwave. "Until then, continue your research with the tools we have on hand. I will acquire anything you need."
He left the small lab, somehow more frustrated than before he entered. Sending Laserbeak into the Kaon underground was the safest bet. It would only risk one life instead of a large army facing off against Arachnid. In many ways, a stealth mission was much more likely to succeed. He told Shockwave he still had other options to consider with equal merit. In truth, the choice was obvious. It was for the good of the Decepticons. He already knew Laserbeak would agree. Soundwave just had to swallow his fear.
As if on cue, or because Laserbeak arranged it, he received a Spacebridge request from Earth. He stepped into the privacy of his quarters and locked the door. He sat hard onto his berth with a vent, then locked onto Earth and opened a portal.
As he suspected, no Autobots entered. Only the small form of Laserbeak, and the smaller Rhea came through. "Snuck away?" He wondered after collapsing the portal behind them.
"I've learned a few things from Miko." Rhea said with a shrug, dumping some bags into the corner. Supplies for her survival away from Earth, as he made her promise to start bringing. "Now what's going on? Laserbeak said you're stressed."
Soundwave shot a glare the Minicon's way. "I do hope he did not convince you to return if you were not ready."
"Quite to the contrary." Laserbeak corrected. "She insisted on accompanying me."
"Plus, I'm fine." Rhea promised. "I got new castes, ate my weight in food and a whole plate of donuts. And the hospital hooked me up with an inhaler to use until the damage done from the Cybertronian air is healed." To preface the point, she retrieved a small box from her pocket and put it in her mouth. She inhaled deep from it, then smiled. "Poor Raf was way worse, but even he's doing better. We human's bounce back. It's what we do."
'I am sure the Autobots will be joining us shortly. When they notice Rhea's absence no doubt. So that will be something we will have to deal with later.' Laserbeak added. 'But I sensed you needed me.'
Soundwave didn't bother to hide his glare. "It is only one possible scenario, which I have yet to decide on. Do not log into the security feed to inquire-"
He was too late. Laserbeak was connecting into the Renegade's security feed to watch the conversation with Shockwave. 'I accept the mission.' He said right away.
"No, you do not." Soundwave said flatly.
"Context, please?" Rhea huffed.
'I am the only one capable of sneaking past Arachnid's forces. I can activate a fixed Groundbridge in the bunkers under Slaughter City. Then Master Soundwave may retrieve all that we need there.' Laserbeak explained.
"The supply bunker that crazy bug bot is sitting on?" Rhea asked.
'The very same.' Laserbeak confirmed. 'Victory is almost assured if we reestablish our hold on this asset. That is why Master Soundwave's hesitation is less then productive. The only other option is a full-frontal assault against Arachnid's forces. That would be catastrophic. The risk to me alone is minimal.'
"As was the risk to Ravage when I authorized his solo mission." Soundwave snapped. It was a cruel thing to say, but it got the desired effect. Laserbeak failed to respond, and Soundwave felt the hurt in them both. In a defiant, juvenile gesture, Laserbeak turned away from him and faced the wall.
Rhea was looking between them, and he could see in her face a want to say something, anything to help. He was sure this was uncomfortable for her. It would be the first time she had ever seen he and Laserbeak fight. She pursed her lips, running a hand down one of Laserbeak's wings. Then she turned her focus up to Soundwave. She didn't demand more answers or chastise him for hurting Laserbeak. She only approached him on his berth with small cautious steps. Then she knocked on one of his peds. "You gonna make me climb with castes?" she wondered.
He deployed his data cables and gently picked her up. He rested her on the berth next to him and recoiled his cables without a word. He then tried not to shutter when she placed a reassuring hand on his leg. "Help me understand." She pleaded. "Laserbeak and me want to help, but I'm in the dark, and snapping at him isn't going to do anything productive."
"There is not much to know." Soundwave said, hollow. He looked down between Rhea's inquisitive gaze and Laserbeak, still faced away from him. "I have allowed myself to create far too many personal relationships. It is counterproductive to my ability to lead the Decepticons. Instead of being a focused leader, I am stricken with the fear of losing what little happiness I have reclaimed after the war." His focus landed on his sulking Minicon. "Laserbeak. I do not doubt your abilities. I am being selfish. I am sorry, that I am not the same driving force Megatron was."
'Our old Lord was very selfish.' Laserbeak chirped but didn't make a move to turn around. 'He could have ended the war much sooner. He chose to chase the Prime across the stars. No matter how many of his loyal soldiers died. He was driven to some endless goal that was not in the best interest of the Decepticons. You at least recognize the flaw.'
Soundwave slumped, finding Rhea's gaze again. "I've never mentioned them. The other Minicon's under my employ and protection." He said, having no idea where it had come from. Why was he thinking of them now? Why was he sharing?
He had always been effective at shielding his emotions even before he met Megatron. It was what made him such a skilled spy. But in him, buried deep under all his false calm, was a burning inferno. It was waiting for something, anything to break free the force he had always kept in check. Then he heard Megatron speak, igniting the war and Soundwave's Spark. Soundwave had never been alone. Similar fires burned just as bright in the Sparks of so many on Cybertron. His ever-loyal Minicons were unquestioning towards his devotion to Megatron. They shared the same longing for equality. They had the same fire.
Laserbeak's whole chassis went rigid like an unyielding piece of planetary plating. He sent a summoning beacon, requesting Laserbeak come closer. Laserbeak hopped farther away, beak stuck in the corner of the room. It was one of the few times the Minicon disobeyed his direct command in such a bold fashion. Soundwave vented but didn't push the issue. He turned down to Rhea and elaborated his previous thought. "At the start of the war, we were a true force of destruction. My Minicons were as passionate as I when joining the cause. In many ways, they had more reason to be. They were the oppressed class. They felt the harsh sting of their inferior station more than most. I felt that bottled frustration through our connection.
"We considered the Autobot forces cowards. I underestimated them. A fatal mistake, which my life did not pay for…Me and my band were feared on the battlefield. We fought off an Autobot unit tasked to kill me. When the dust settled there was one more Autobot. They coward from my approach and ran into a skyscraper for cover. That was what I assumed at the time. Rumble chased in after him first. It hadn't been the first Rumble broke formation to give chase… It was far from uncharacteristic.
"I was then knocked back by the explosion that brought the building down. That lone Autobot I concluded to be a fleeing coward. He had a final explosive and detonated it in a sacrificial attempt at snuffing my Spark. But I wasn't the one to give chase after him. I found Rumble's Sparkless husk under three mecrometers of rubble.
"Frenzy was beyond consoling, beyond rage or reasoning. It was the first time I felt my control slipping. No matter what I said, Frenzy did not listen. He wanted to repay the Autobots for what had happened to Rumble. He jammed our connection so I couldn't stop him. I still don't know exactly how he achieved this. He ran out when he should have been recharging behind the barricade. His grief and loyalty to his fellow Minicon rewarded him with a blaster to the back of his small helm."
Soundwave had to stop, collect his composure. Frenzy and Rumble. The two rambunctious Minicons, split Spark brothers, were gone. As individuals they managed to make Soundwave smile to often for his own tastes. They made it a personal challenge on most occasions to try and embarrass him, or just make him laugh. He didn't like giving in. It only encouraged the behavior. Together they were a force of nature. Without them Soundwave felt the hole in his Spark, threatening to tear at his internal wiring. He should have allowed himself to laugh for them more.
"I suppressed it all, because that's what I thought I had to do." Soundwave noted, interrupting his own morbid train of thought. "I stayed an unshakable force for my two remaining Minicons and the Decepticon cause. I felt Laserbeak and Ravage's pain, amplifying my own. It drove us to fight harder. Reminded us why our cause was righteous." For the first time since he began the morbid monologue, he looked at Laserbeak. He was still fixed staring at the wall. He knew what was coming next. "Ravage demanded to be assigned to the spy squad to infiltrate the off-world Wrecker base. He was the best for the job. I was needed on the front, alongside Megatron. The Decepticons had needed that information. Megatron needed it. It was vital. I knew Ravage could get it. If we waited, we risked the Autobot's relocation. It was my call. I sent Ravage off with the small spy unit. It was only recon. I would be right behind Ravage as part of the attacking party…" He looked at Laserbeak again. The Minicon was shaking in his self-designated corner.
He recalled the exact moment in gruesome detail. No context, no explosion or battle. A rare quiet moment to himself, logging away important intel.
Then sharp pain shot through his Spark when he felt Ravage's life snuff out across the Galaxy. His knee joints buckled. He leaned forward against the console for support as he was sure his Spark broke that day. There had been no closure. Before, he was able to hold Rumble's limp body. He cleaned the crystallizing Energon from Frenzy's fatal helm wound. But Ravage was just gone.
Soundwave couldn't cry out. He had taken the Oath of Silence before Megatron. But Laserbeak's anguished cry in their shared mind was loud enough for them both. Even after three million years, Soundwave still heard that desperate wail in the darkest recesses of his mind. "I wasn't with Ravage when he died. I couldn't hold him like I had managed with the others. He died far away from me. He died alone." He whispered, his helm coming to rest in an awaiting servo. "That is why, I do not want Laserbeak to leave on this mission. If he is terminated…"
Rhea pulled her somber focus from Soundwave's face when Laserbeak made the first sound in a while. It was a rare, low-pitched tone. Soundwave hadn't heard it since Ravages death. Laserbeak was weeping. 'Forgive my insolence, Master.' Laserbeak mumbled. 'I only wish to be of service.'
Soundwave felt the sincerity behind the statement through their connection. Despite knowing this, Laserbeak had done a good job on the guilt trip. He usually was good at that.
"You are always of use." Soundwave assured him. "I trust you to carry out the mission successfully… But, allow me to track your progress. For my own peace of mind."
'That is an agreeable compromise.' Laserbeak said softly. 'And, if I am terminated, which I will not be, you would not be alone.'
Soundwave felt Rhea lean into him closer, tapping her fingers on his knee joint. "But you won't be dying anyway." She reminded them both. "So, stop talking like that."
Laserbeak hopped around to leave the corner, though still flitted his gaze about the room. 'A positive perspective indeed. Such optimism is in short supply between Master Soundwave and myself.' He said. He attempted to shake off his occasional grief driven tremble. 'This has been cathartic. But we could amend this conversation with an additional topic. If my impeccable memory is correct, which it is, Master Soundwave still needs to address lingering tension between himself and you, Rhea. Regarding your concerns about becoming Cybertronian.'
Mercifully, a Space Bridge request from Earth popped in front of his vision. It seemed the Autobots were getting better at noticing when humans went missing. If he hadn't needed the well-timed distraction so badly, he may have ignored the request. The Autobots tended to get their opinionated presence in the way when it was most inconvenient.
He was emotionally drained. If he further spilled his Spark about his complex feelings for Rhea, he would not be able to maintain any composure.
To Laserbeak's great annoyance, Soundwave dodged the comment by saying, "I am needed." And he opened the Bridge for the Autobots. It would let them into the commons room of the ship. He wouldn't have to deal with them until they found themselves to the Bridge.
Rhea's snorting laugh became his focus. "Don't worry about me, Laserbeak. That talk can wait until later. How about when Soundwave doesn't have so many things on his mind? Like virus death bugs?"
He almost laughed too. At least Rhea was not conspiring to embarrass him further. He stood, helping Rhea down from his berth. Laserbeak flew up and docked into him with an apologetic chirp. Soundwave gave him an assuring pulse as a peace offering.
Then another Space Bridge request from Earth pinged, along with a message. It gave away who had placed the request. [We want to see how Doc Knock is. Don't tell Bulkhead or the others.]
He confirmed the request and opened a Bridge from Earth into the med bay. Soundwave could think of no better way to distract the Autobots then have them deal with their own humans.
With Rhea secure on his shoulder he entered the Bridge.
"My lord," Demolisher said after a quick salute. He was trying to maintain optic contact without acknowledging Rhea on Soundwave's shoulder. "There is heightened activity in the Southern hemisphere."
"Indeed." Blitzwing added. He leaned casually against a wall panel, making the tech beep in protest. "Arachnid's forces are all a buzz about something, no pun intended."
"Are they preparing to swarm the Capital?" Soundwave asked, his Spark sinking. It may be to late to send Laserbeak anywhere. Had his indecisiveness doomed them?
"That's what we were worried about…" Demolisher began with uncertainty. "But they aren't mobilizing. They are, we actually don't know what they are doing."
Soundwave approached the console, pulling up the images from their closest security feeds. Or at least as close as they dared to get. Arachnid had dismantled every feed in the city proper.
He zoomed onto the image to study it. The living black clouds made up of thousands of Insecticons lingered over Slaughter City. The clouds buzzed, dripping purple droplets from above. Endless swarms of Insecticons blotted out the skies. There were hundreds more then he knew to have existed on the Nemesis. Arachnid had found and infected more of her kind on Cybertron.
The distant sight alone was horrifying. And that was without the added knowledge that every one of them was a carrier of the Dark Energon virus. At Arachnid's whim, she could spread her plague across Cybertron.
But beyond the buzzing wings, Soundwave noted what his crew hadn't. The night before under the cover of darkness, a dark hulled vessel came out of the atmosphere. It vanished into the swarm of Insecticons. He couldn't inquire anything more from the ship, not even a Decepticon or Autobot affiliation.
Soundwave scoured the airwave frequencies for any kind of communication as it landed. Arachnid was silent, as was the ship. He assumed that was purposeful. Arachnid knew he would be listening.
"Who was on that ship?" Rhea asked in a hushed voice.
"I do not know." Soundwave admitted. "But they were either devoured by Arachnid's swarm or are there for some other purpose. Either way, the activity among the Insecticons has become celebratory after they landed."
"Arachnid's crew is celebrating?" Blitzwing wondered with a humorless snicker. "That is very much not a good sign for us."
The Autobots came in at that moment. Very few bots of Soundwave's crew even bothered to glare at them anymore. Team Prime were becoming more indistinguishable from the architecture it would seem.
"Figured we'd find you here." Bumblebee said, addressing Rhea. "Are you ok enough to be out of the hospital?"
She gave him an assuring nod but didn't mince words. She pointed to the screen Soundwave was studying. "Arachnid may have backup from somewhere."
Arcee tensed. "Bot or Con?"
"We are too far to determine either." Soundwave said. "But one ship is far from concerning. Arachnid may have appropriated it from the New Council while they were working together. It may be her last-ditch effort to get to Earth if she cannot procure a Spacebridge. The sheer number of Insecticon should be our primary focus. Even with Predaking's new troops, it will be a challenge."
"And that is assuming Predaking is in the mood to assist us further." Starscream griped. Soundwave had noticed Megatron's ex second in command lurking earlier. He hadn't thought much of him until he spoke.
"Ever the shining beacon of optimism, aren't you Starscream?" Bumblebee said.
"Starscream is correct." Soundwave said before Starscream could snap something biting back at the Scout. "All transactions between the Decepticons and the Predacons are completed. We cannot rely on them any further."
Starscream's semi-permanent scowled turned upwards in legitimate surprise. "Th-thank you for that acknowledgment, my Lord."
At that moment, another Groundbridge request came to Soundwave's attention. It wasn't from Earth, but rather another location on Cybertron. It was Sharpshot, finally reporting in. Along with the Spacebridge request, Sharpshot sent a message. There was something very important for Soundwave to bear witness to.
He took a few tentative steps back before opening the Bridge. The Dinobots were coming back along with Sharpshot's squad. The Renegade's Bridge was about to get much more cramped by a considerable margin.
Sharpshot and their unit strode through the swirling vortex, saluting Soundwave as they entered. "Our mission was a success, my Lord." Sharpshot reported, always eager to please. "The Dinobots were hesitant to return, according to your original plan. But recent events prompted them to reconsider."
On cue, a lumbering bot stomped in through the portal. Other equally intimidating chassis's then poured in behind the first. They all wore scuffed, and battle hardened Autobot emblems that had not seen a shine in a while. Or ever.
At the sight of the group, Soundwave caught Bumblebee smiling. "Fashionably late as always, eh Grimlock?"
The notorious and ruthless Autobot Grimlock offered the Scout a fanged grin. "Nothing 'fashionable' about me. I figured me not comin' back would mess up his highness's plans." He explained, motioning to Soundwave. His smile faded as he lingered his gaze on Soundwave rudely, optics readjusting a few times. "Since when do Minicons come in that small a size? How does it fight without gettin' stepped on?"
Soundwave realized he was talking about Rhea. At once he shifted his shoulder wing forward to block Rhea from the brute's line of sight.
"That's a human, Grim." Bulkhead said. "Intelligent lifeforms we ally with on the planet Optimus pitched our camp on. Me and Jackie have one on our Wrecker team, as a matter of fact."
"Is that our lunatic freakshow, Grim, I hear?"
Soundwave refrained from grimacing when the Wrecker Wheeljack announced himself. He entered the Bridge with Smokescreen on his heel struts. It was hard enough keeping the Wrecker and Elite Guard rookie out of Decepticon business when they stayed behind to 'help.' If only their situation with Arachnid wasn't so dire. He never would have created a scenario to assemble the Wreckers and Dinobots in one place otherwise. He tried not to calculate the damage that was bound to occur on his ship while these parties were on board.
Wheeljack strutted up to Grimlock with a mischievous, downright worrying grin. They shared a juvenile series of hand gestures then smashed together in an embrace. Grimlock had the upper hand from sheer size alone. "Bumping into your sorry aft in a Con ship… wouldn't be the first time." Wheeljack noted.
"Have to admit, the hospitality is better than before." Bulkhead chimed in.
"Wish the situation was better too." The smallest Dinobot Swoop added with a saddened expression.
That soured the reunion. Grimlock vented. "Yeah, on our little side trip, we found a few things worth notin'. We, uh, found Magnus, alive…"
"Thank the All Spark." Bumblebee said. Prematurely, Soundwave assumed, going by Grimlock's initial delivery of the news. Bumblebee seemed to catch on to that too, and his concerned returned. The last two Dinobots came through the portal. They carried the blue chassis of the Autobot commander. That was the only familiar thing Soundwave recognized about the once esteemed, Prime approved Ultra Magnus. The Dinobots had bound his servos and peds, and similarly gagged his mouth plates. He had clear injuries, but from what Soundwave deduced, it was self-inflicted. He had wasted energy and Energon thrashing against the restraints. Ultra Magnus was too smart to make such a mistake if he were in his right mind.
"No…" Smokescreen was the first to mutter.
"Fraid so." Grimlock said with a shake of his helm. "He's bit. I'd keep ye'r distance too, our old Shoulder Pads isn't home."
"Damn bugs." Wheeljack hissed. "They must have jumped him."
"Nah, they fed him to the bugs." Grimlock stated coldly. The Autobots rose their saddened optics up from their commander to Grimlock. He in turn thrust a digit over his broad shoulder back towards the portal. "Ask him." He said as the final Dinobot and the last of the Vehicons came through the portal. They were dragging another restrained bot behind them.
"Sigil?" Bumblebee asked with a confused intake, blue optics wide with shock.
The New Council leader fumbled in the heap the Dinobot had dropped him in. At first, hope dangled behind his gaze as he recognized Team Prime. He probably assumed he was safe. But then he noticed where they were, and he saw Soundwave, and that misplaced hope was gone.
Soundwave had to admit, the fear that overtook Sigil at his mere appearance gave him a glean of delight. But he masked it. Starscream and the other Decepticon officers did not try to hide their own murderous glint.
"You have joined them… You betrayed the Autobot cause." Sigil said to Bumblebee and the others. His voice box trembled with fear, but despite that, he had the audacity to sound insulted. "Optimus Prime would be devastated-"
"You shut ye'r trap." Grimlock snarled at him. The simple comment was effective. The older bot refrained from finishing the thought.
Swoop took the opportunity to approach the stunned members of team Prime. He shifted from strut to strut, obviously uncomfortable. "Magnus got to close to the truth about the New Council's link to the Dark Energon virus. They wanted Arachnid to only infect the remaining Decepticons on Cybertron, so they would have a more justifiable reason to kill them. But we all know how well that plan went. He learned Decimus and Sigil had Prowl killed when Prowl started to get to close to the truth. They had Magnus infected and slipped him amongst the other test subjects for finding a cure."
The fallout of this news was immediate. The Autobot's assaulted Sigil with horror-stricken shouts and accusations, save for Wheeljack. He had been listening to the information dump with an almost indifferent scowl. Then he broke away from his group and strolled towards Sigil. The Autobots didn't have time to stop him from colliding his fist into the other bot's faceplate.
The blow sent Sigil into the floor, but Wheeljack was already grabbing for him again. Of course, none of Soundwave's own crew made any move to interrupt. Starscream even snickered as he crossed his servos to watch with amusement. Bulkhead and Bumblebee managed to snap out of their own shock. They grab Wheeljack off the cowering Sigil and pulled him away. Smokescreen jumped in to hold Wheeljack back as well. Even outnumbered, he continued to fight against his comrades, desperate to get in another hit. "You Pit scavenging coward!" Wheeljack snapped when he could not yank himself free from the others. "After everything Magnus did for you! The kind of scrap you sent him and us Wreckers into! You feed him to the Bugs?! Bulkhead, get off me!"
"Killing him won't help anything, Jackie! Cool your blasters!" Bulkhead countered.
Sigil spit Energon from his split lip plates onto the floor. Even disoriented he tried to back away from the Wrecker who still harbored murder in his optics. The sound of rendering metal brought the struggle to a sudden halt. The room's focus found the restrained Ultra Magnus thrashing in the Dinobot Sludge's grasp. The sight of Sigil's Energon sent him into a frenzy. Like a metal starved scraplet he snarled and hissed, trying to free himself. He pulled at the restraints on his servos so hard his own tainted Energon spilled through rendered plating and proto flesh.
Soundwave felt Rhea stiffen at the sight, and he rose a silent hand up to stroke her hair in a reassuring way.
Sludge picked Ultra Magnus up off the ground. The action drenched him in the purple life blood of their commander in the process. "Don't try drinkin' Sigil's Energon, Commander. You'll get yo'self sick." He offered in an oblivious, yet sincere tone.
Wheeljack deflated at the grim sight. He leaned hard into his friends he had just been fighting to get away from. "What the hell are we supposed to do now?"
"A stasis pod will work." Arcee offered. "At least then if he's conscious through all this… he doesn't have to-" she trailed off.
"The long-distance stasis pods effective against the virus are in short supply." Soundwave informed them. He felt Rhea give one of his fingers a pleading squeeze. "But I'm sure one can be located. Sharpshot, have your unit refuel and then find a long-distance stasis pod. There may still be some in Dark Mount, under Predaking's control. If he is uncooperative, patch me through to speak with him." Sharpshot saluted and hurried their unit out to obey the order. Soundwave turned his focus back to the Autobots. "Until then, we will attempt to sedate him and administer an Energon infusion in the med bay. We have found the infected sometimes have moments of clarity if they are flush with Energon. He could have information that is useful."
Sludge and Snarl carried Ultra Magnus out. Bulkhead and Wheeljack helped lead their way to the Renegade's med bay. It was safe to assume they would otherwise get lost. "If I don't leave, I'd probably kill Sigil." Wheeljack said to Bulkhead on the way out. "I should leave that honor to Magnus when he gets better."
"The Decepticons will betray you all." Sigil said from the ground, where no one had helped him from Wheeljack's assault. He was looking up at Team Prime with a pitiful, pleading grovel. They only glared at him with contempt. Unable to take an obvious hint and remain silent for his own good, (much like Decimus) he continued. "We must stay loyal to each other above all things, even if there is inner strife! It can be dealt with within the Autobot chain of command. But you have all doomed us by trusting in the Decepticons. Grimlock… You of all warriors should know better! Look what the Decepticons have done to you and your team! Why are you helping the Decepticon cause?"
Grimlock snorted. "You ain't wrong. Con's did me and my boys real dirty. Things were less complicated during the war. Sides were easy to see and simple. In a lot of ways, I miss them cycles. But, even before all this virus scrap, things were changin'. The war went to the stars, and they left us fightin' the lowest of the low even amongst Cons. Lots of Autobots forgot their so-called morals when the Energon dried up. And eventually, us and the Con's left behind ran out of reasons to hate each other. So, we talked instead. It was boring as hell, but was a better way to keep everyone fed."
It was an oddly eloquent thing to come from the lumbering brutish leader of the Dinobots. And it was short lived. Grimlock's somber reflective gaze soured for no obvious reason. He looked away from Sigil as if he had forgotten he was there. He sniffed at the air, yellow optics narrowing at the door to the Bridge. Then he turned to Soundwave. "Even with that said… There are some things I can't let slip. I can keep myself from killing that little worm." He explained while pointing a clawed digit in Starscream's direction. In turn, Starscream shrank a bit behind Soundwave for cover. "But I smell something fowler then Scream here… Lay it on me straight, Shockwave is on this ship, ain't he?"
Soundwave felt the optics of every Autobot, Decepticon, and Dinobot on him. Each had their own reaction to the question which ranged from worry, dread, and intended murder.
"No." Soundwave said flatly. "He had been, but he is away on assignment. I have him compiling what we need to manage the Dark Energon virus." In the back of his mind, he activated a Groundbridge in Shockwave's small lab on the ship. Along with the escape route into the Kaon Capital he sent an emergency ping. It encouraged the good scientist to take the portal with a promise he would explain later.
Grimlock looked less then convinced. Thankfully, Bumblebee suspended his morals to assist in the lie. "We can worry about grudges later, Grim. Come on, you sounded so wise a second ago talking about peace. Don't back out of that so quick."
Grimlock took in Bumblebee's nervous smile, then rolled his optics. "Fair enough. But Soundwave. You let Shockwave know I'm going to bite off his real arm the next time I see his one opticed face."
Soundwave pursed his lip plates. "I will make sure to pass along that information." This dance around the truth to maintain control over his own Decepticons, the Autobots, Predacons, and now Dinobots, was only getting more complicated. He had known the risks involved when orchestrating this plan. It was a necessary evil, but that didn't mean it would get any easier. But like so many other tasks left to do, he could deal with it once they neutralized their common enemy.
Someone raced onto the Bridge, thankfully distracting the Dinobots from their growing suspicion. It was Thunderblast, wearing a devious grin as she fled, a familiar human in her grasp. Bulkhead was right on her tailpipes, far from amused as he cornered Thunderblast to reclaim the human Miko. Right, Soundwave had opened the Spacebridge into the med bay earlier at the other human's request. The same med bay Bulkhead and Wheeljack had just entered. Oops.
"Finders keepers!" Thunderblast informed Bulkhead with a scrap eating grin.
Wheeljack trudged in, doing all he could to not look at Sigil. "Found them in the med bay." he said, depositing the human Jack into Arcee's hands.
"Seriously Jack?" She snapped.
"We wanted to make sure Doc Knock was ok!" Miko said, Thunderblast continuing to duck and weave around Bulkheads attempt to snatch her back. "We just wanted to make sure Doc Knock was... still alive."
The Autobots softened at that explanation. Even Bulkhead grudgingly calmed down. Though he remained vigilant and kept an optic on Miko in Thunderblast's grasp.
Intending to get things back on track, Soundwave placed Rhea on a control panel near the Autobots. He didn't want her close to Sigil, despite his defenselessness. Then he approached Sigil, and the scattered chatter around the room silenced. He thought the fool could not become any more afraid. Soundwave wondered if his own calm approach alone would cause Sigil to suffer sudden Spark failure. Though that would make his job easier, he was glad when Sigil did not keel over dead. That would be far too easy.
"You have been busy, Councilman." Soundwave noted as coldly as possible. "Your weak, elderly facade fooled many into letting their guard down around you. Make no mistake, I do not suffer from a similar short sightedness."
Sigil staired at the ground, expression locked in a frowned. He was either clinging to his last speck of defiance, or he was too scared to meet the optics of any Decepticon.
"I don't get it, Sigil." Bumblebee muttered. Soundwave glanced up from the target of his interrogation and noticed the young Autobot. Bumblebee still harbored clear feelings of betrayal. "You had done so much good after the war. You and Decimus organized Autobot refugee programs. You utilized your own resources recovered on Cybertron to the cause. You looked Optimus in the face, before you made him Prime, and you agreed with his vision of peace. What changed?"
Sigil vented, still avoiding the Scout's gaze. "You are not wise enough to understand."
"Then make me understand!" Bumblebee snarled. Sigil jumped, surprised by the rare outburst from the normally friendly bot. "Megatron wanted death and revenge, Optimus never wanted the Decepticons to suffer. He wanted us to be equal, to be at peace. You said his words moved you!"
Sigil huffed with exasperation. "Of course we chose Optimus's plans for peace! Think of what would have become of us if we hadn't!"
The rumbling around the Bridge silenced. Curious Decepticons shifted their focus between the Council Bot and the startled Bumblebee. "What's that supposed to mean?" he said.
Sigil hesitated, realizing his nervous chattering had just doomed him. "It doesn't matter now, that was before the war. Now we must decide how to survive in the clutches of these Decepticon tyrants and take back-"
"Tell us what you meant." Arcee spat. "Or we won't even bother trying to help you on this ship."
"Like us or hate us, we're all you got." Wheeljack pointed out. He stood rigid, opening, and closing his fists as if he was considering another assault on Sigil. "We can let the Cons here take over." He added.
Sigil bristled at that concept. "Optimus, Orion Pax at the time, was far too naïve to understand what he was saying when he spoke before the Senate. It was all his limited viewpoints of the world, mixed with the propaganda Megatron had fed him. When Megatron came to speak before the Senate, dragging Orion in tow, we had much larger issues to consider then his demands for so called 'equality.' Most of the population was on Megatron's side. The slave and working classes outnumbered us one thousand to one! There were swarms of the lower castes in the streets, demanding Megatron be named a Prime. Megatron would have stripped the Senate of our ability to advocate for ourselves, never less our class. We knew if we gave him what he wanted, he would have seen us all smelted! No one was 'moved' by Orion Pax's words. It was the only obvious choice we had. We jumped on his plan because it was the safer bet for us surviving that mess! Sentinel Prime was still missing, we were running out of time. We had to do something!"
"You made Optimus a Prime," Bumblebee began, his gaze lost and somehow reflecting more betrayal. "Because you thought you'd be able to keep more power?!"
"Of course!" Sigil snapped at him, desperate and almost whimpering. "We were staring down the barrel of a violent revolution! what happens during violent revolutions!? The esteemed leaders get executed by Angry mobs! Orion Pax was one of us! And he was pushing for a peaceful conclusion! That would give us enough time to stall. And if things did go against us, we would still have our Helms attached to our chassis! Plus, could you imagine us instating a nameless forged class into a Prime? Our society, our culture, our traditions would be worthless if that happened!"
So, the truth was finally revealed. Soundwave saw the effects on the Autobots was nothing short of complete devastation. The only ones who seemed unaffected were the Dinobots. They wore mild scowls of annoyance, rather than shock or betrayal. He assumed they had heard far worse.
"Wait…" Thunderblast intoned, and everyone turned to her. "Are you Bots actually surprised? You didn't know that's what was going on?" Her own disbelief turned to amused laughter in an instant. "Why do you think we went to war? Boredom? Things were never going to change if we didn't shake things up!"
"Yeah, I'm sold." Miko added from Thunderblast's shoulder. "I say we eat him." She clambered up to her feet and steadied herself on Thunderblast's wing. Finally stable, she rose her fist into the air and began chanting, "Eat the rich! Eat The Rich! EAT THE RICH!" Thunderblast grinned, rose her own hands up and joined in the chant. The ridiculous mantra had Sigil cowering when half of the Bridge crew joined in.
Over the cacophony, Soundwave managed to hear Jack say to Arcee, "So, did Miko just become a Decepticon?"
That question remained unanswered when Demolisher approached Soundwave, leading with a rather malevolent smirk. "Word of our 'guest' here has already spread around the city." He said loud enough for Sigil to hear even over the chanting. "We've already had quite a few volunteers who survived the New Council's botched executions offer to give Sigil a tour. Though I don't suspect they will give him back in one piece."
"Or we could make a show of it." Starscream offered with a similar grin. "Have an execution of our own and broadcast it for the rest of the council to see. It would make for a thrilling watch and send a strong message."
Soundwave considered their suggestions. Then he gave Sigil a sideways glance, which the older bot winced under. "It would indeed." He said simply.
"We can take things from here." Bumblebee intoned. The murderous humor at Sigil's expense died when Bumblebee spoke. Starscream crossed his servos at the yellow bot indignantly, while Demolisher only glared. "Killing Sigil won't solve anything. He should stand trial when this is over and face justice, true justice."
"Are you suggesting we Decepticons are incapable of exacting justice?" Starscream scoffed. "Please, you Autobots don't know the meaning of the word. Plus, he is one of you. Can we trust you not to immediately put him back in power when this little alliance of ours ends? I for one, do not trust you. And I know what our old Lord Megatron would have done in a similar situation."
For once, Soundwave thought Starscream wasn't trying to be manipulative with what he had said. Though the truth still stung, because he knew what Megatron would do as well. Every Decepticon on this ship, or in this star system knew. Megatron would extract every ounce of information from the frail conniving Sigil. Then he would have drug his broken chassis to the top of the highest tower as the crowds below cheered. He would rip Sigil limb from limb, tossing what remained to the rabid crowd below.
Everyone knew that. And it was clear Sigil did as well. Soundwave could see the terror in his optics as he stared up at the looming Decepticons. Though still burdened with the cold reality Sigil had spoken, some of the Autobots looked to be in a merciful mood. Of course, Bumblebee was at the forefront of this movement. Their views were in the minority to be sure. Soundwave wondered if they would even attempt to stop him if he chose to ignore their plea for mercy. Ultra Magnus and Knock Out depended on the generosity of the Decepticons. If they challenged Soundwave's decision, he could abridge that kindness.
But it wasn't the Autobots that had Soundwave hesitating. It was what Starscream said about Megatron. There was no doubt what their old Lord would have done in the past. But would Megatron in the state he was in now, have a different opinion? Soundwave had tried very hard to erase from his memory banks the sad state Megatron was in when they met. He was Spark broken from whatever Unicron had done to him. No interest in the Decepticons, or anything Cybertronian.
He wished Megatron was here now, just so he could glance his downcast red optics and glean an answer from them.
Soundwave was unsure what to do. Should he give Sigil to the mob that awaited outside? He could offer him to Predaking as another show of good will and win a more lasting alliance with the Predacons. Predaking would want more retribution for the enslavement of his people. In exchange for Sigil, they could use their continued help against Arachnid.
All that aside, Soundwave wanted his own payback too. Sigil and Decimus took Rhea captive. He had put her in harm's way. He had hurt her. That thought alone almost made Soundwave's decision for him. He could do what the old Megatron would do, before he had fallen from grace, and kill Sigil himself.
Ironically enough, Rhea stalled any further plots to murder Sigil right there. She remained where he had left her, perched on a control console near the Autobots. Hands over her heart and studying him with concern. Her gaze wasn't judgmental, or even pleading for Sigil's life. It was only a reminder for him to consider his final choice very carefully. It was a grounding stare, and what he needed. What he needed, was time to think it through.
"Though Sigil's death is justified, we will maintain him online, for the time being." Soundwave announced out loud. He maintained a cold, yet powerful inflection to deter interruption. "His life and intel could still be of use to us against the New Council. That is subject to change when his usefulness expires." He turned to Demolisher. "Stow him in the brig, and assure he is not comfortable."
Most in the room seemed satisfied with this compromise. Starscream even approved with an indifferent shrug. Demolisher closed in on Sigil, flashing an intimidating sneer. He snatched the Council bot from the ground and half dragged him towards the exit. None of the Autobots interfered to stop Demolisher. They must have trusted Soundwave.
Sigil on the other servo, put up a feeble struggle as if his life depended on escaping. "Even if I am gone, your cause is doomed to fail!" he managed to shout even with Demolisher's grip around his neck. The Autobots were silent, while the Decepticons all snickered at his mad rambling. "Bumblebee, remember the monsters you have aligned yourself with! These are the traitors that poisoned our planet's core and chased us across the stars! They are not like us! They are liars, they are monsters! Cybertron will not fall for your false words, Decepticon! They will see through you, Soundwave, Third in Command!"
Soundwave held up a hand before Demolisher drug Sigil through the threshold of the door. Perhaps it was pettiness, but Sigil's comment had managed to get under his protoflesh.
Sigil, along with everyone else in witness, fell silent. Soundwave took his time making his way to Sigil and Demolisher. He knelt to be optic level, the action causing the older bot to flinch. "I have indulged your insulting tone in my presence long enough." He said while making sure to line each syllable with as much sharpness as he could muster. "I will extend you more courtesy than you deserve. But, I will phrase this request in a way you will not misconstrued. If I so much as hear you whimper another word while on my ship, I will relieve your Spark from your chest. Do we have an understanding? I suggest you only nod if you do because this rule for your silence applies now."
Finally, somewhat understanding of his precarious position, Sigil did not say anything.
Soundwave continued. "And to address your concerns, regarding Cybertron not believing my 'false words' as you put it. As luck would have it, our people will not have to." He connected to the large screen against the far wall and brought it to life. Sigil and most everyone else jolted up to see the sudden video feed come online.
It was a scene only Soundwave, and the humans present would recognize on first sight. The image of the small white jail cell the New Council imprisoned Knock Out, Rhea, and the others popped up. Sigil's expression fell almost at once when realization hit him. It was the hacked footage Soundwave had recovered from the prison system itself. It also so happened to be the moment Decimus had dropped in to talk to the humans personally.
"Soundwave told me all about you." Rhea's recorded voice said to Decimus from her small glass cage. "How you let Cybertron rot for your own benefit. Then instead of learning from your mistakes you turn on the Autobots who stood up to you. You brought the Dark Energon plague onto Cybertron. Then you tried to cover it up with this crusade against the Decepticons. Arachnid, the new war, everything is your fault. And when Soundwave comes, and he is coming, he is going to make you wish you stayed cowering out in space."
Even from the odd vantage point, Decimus's sour expression of disgust was plain to see. "I, would not expect such an insignificant creature to understand what has to be done in the name of peace." He had said in a superior fashion. "Sacrifice is required for the greater good."
"So where did the homicidal Spider Bot fit into the 'greater good' plan?" Rhea's recording snapped.
Decimus's image bristled at that. "Do not assume I was happy to stoop down to such a level, using that disease spreader for our means. But again, it was for the greater good! It all is! This is to maintain our righteous order, bringing back the old ways and our sacred traditions."
The screen flicked off. Soundwave gave Rhea a grateful glance only she would recognize. Then he turned to indulge in the horror-stricken expression Sigil was sporting. It was clear he had not been witness to this little blunder on Decimus's part. In an instant, he understood all that it meant for him.
"As you can see, I did not have to say a word for Cybertron to determine who the true liars are." Soundwave explained. "As I am sure you have already guessed, that clip is being broadcast on a loop around our world. For whoever may be interested in viewing it. I thought you should know. So you do not have any false hopes of regaining supporters if you were to ever leave this ship alive."
In addition to Soundwave's previous threat, Sigil was to stunned to speak. But even victorious, Soundwave couldn't help but rub it in, for his own delight. "I did warn you and the rest of the Senate before the war, how harmful empty, arrogant words could be. It was a shame you never took my advice." He waved Demolisher on, who drug Sigil out to the jeers and applause from Soundwave's crew.
