Author's Notes: Ah, here we are, STILL not at the end. Yes, allow me to explain. This short little chapter is far from all I wanted the "Ending" to be. This was only the beginning of the end, if you catch my drift. This short chapter once went alongside a grand and emotionally satisfactory epilogue all together spanning many glorious pages. My friends it was written, and all done, only needing final edits… My dear readers it was by far my finest work. I was so very happy with how I had tied up most to every loose end… Notice how I am very much referring to this epilogue in the PAST TENSE? Well, that is because due to a random critical error on my electric typewriter, this glorious closing chapter is no more. Deleted from the face of the Earth along with my hope for ever trusting my once favorite electric typewriter ever again!
All this time has been spent by me trying to restore my documents at whatever cost, as it wasn't just the last chapter of the fanfiction that was lost. One of my actual professional works I have been working on for publication was deleted and another of my kids' books I had just never gotten around to uploading.
I have been contacting professionals, sending emails, throwing myself at the Reddit help forums. Alas, all attempts have been pointless. I have just needed to accept the fact it is gone and I have to start over and that has been really hard for me. Made worse by the fact it was deleted right before I was about to download it onto my actual computer and ACTUALLY get published on time. Yes, I am still very upset. NO, I have not given up the ghost. I will now just have to rewrite the epilogue and try not to nitpick every sentence with the annoying thought, "Ug, the last version was so much better, I just know it," or "GAH! What word did I use before, it's right on the tip of my tongue!" I have my work cut out for me.
Made doubly worse by the fact that the day I decided to just start rewriting what I lost, I of course get slammed with one of the worst cases of the flu I've ever gotten. It's so bad I haven't been able to work let alone write, because the universe has a personal vendetta against me making my deadlines on time. I've been able to do very little other than lay in my bed and glare at the wall.
If we can learn a lesson here from my torment, it is BACKUP EVERYTHING you write! Have back up days. Have back up parties. Have multiple flash drives and hide them around your house like the world's lamest detective. Become friends with Google Cloud. Think you back up your stories enough? Well so did I, and here we are!
Long and sad story short, I have decided to publish this short chapter alone, which was actually only the beginning of the final document that by some miracle I had saved before the crash. And in the next week or so, hopefully I will have recover from my mystery flu and get the remainder of the epilogue rewritten and up to close this final chapter, literally and figuratively.
So please drop a comment, share what you think, share in my misery, or laugh at me for it. Please enjoy, and PLEASE SAVE ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS!
Location: Iacon Capital
Soundwave
They had gathered. From the new cities sprouting around Cybertron, from those still hidden under the massive plates, to those once lost in the void of space, waiting for this exact moment to return home. Their people gathered together to bare witness.
"The Autobots will owe us big time for this." Starscream grumbled.
The bright light of day shone through the massive windows, illuminating the unfamiliar yet cheery architecture. The Autobot Capital was still under city wide construction. That did little to dampen collective morale. The once impressive Autobot population was noticeably thinner as they crowded the streets, but Decepticons and unaligned were among them too.
Soundwave stood sentinel at the window, watching the reflections of his fellow Decepticons behind his own. He was working up the Spark for the inevitable public speech he had to give. He still detested it, being the center of attention. It was comforting to know that after this, he would no longer have to suffer the ordeal alone.
"Good thing Team Prime ended up taking your advice my Lord." Sharpshot pointed out, cheerful like the Iacon architecture they sat in. Sharpshot was there, along with most of Soundwave's higher and lower officers. They were observing the growing crowds, even from their distance from the window. "I don't think I've ever sensed everyone's collective energy fields so high."
"That being said, you only got cloned like, what, a few Cycles ago? Isn't that right kid?" Slipstream quipped.
Sharpshot only chuckled, maintaining the mature, higher ground as always by not taking the bait.
As Sharpshot had mentioned, and Starscream had griped about, this public appearance in the unfamiliar city was very much for the Autobot's benefit. Instead of taking the opportunity to snatch their world back, most bots already on their side, Soundwave opted to push for something less destructive. This way, the Autobots could be seen to be on somewhat equal pedding with the Decepticons in the political sphere, despite that being very far from the truth.
This event wasn't only to publicly declare their ceasefire turned temporary treaty. It was also to assert new leadership roles. Ultra Magnus was taking on the head of the Autobot government. Bumblebee and Arcee were acting his subordinates until others could be found. Both Bumblebee and Arcee could not stress enough how temporary their political positions would be. Soundwave for one, was hoping that day would not come. If the members of Team Prime remained in a position of power, then he was willing to have faith in the Autobot cause.
And this event wasn't just about Autobots declaring their new leadership. It was decided on Soundwave's side they could consolidate their own announcements regarding the new hierarchy of Decepticon command into the spectacle as well. It made the most sense. Everyone would be seen as equal, and there would be fewer public events for assassination attempts to take place. Just because their two small groups had come to some sort of understanding did not mean that every other Cybertronian felt the same way. Soundwave refused to let his newfound positivity lure him into being naïve, no matter how many times Bumblebee told him to 'loosen up.'
The sound of last klik buffing ceased. Knock Out leaned over Starscream's shoulder to better inspect his work. "I dare say, this is my best cosmetic work yet."
Starscream turned his helm from side to side, inspecting his reflection in the full-length mirror. He beamed a smile. "Not bad for a coronation. Took the universe long enough to get me here."
Knock Out hummed. "Well, now you can look as good as you feel, LORD Starscream."
"Oh…" Starscream moaned dreamily, closing his optics to soak in the moment. He opened one optic and nudged Knock Out. "Say it again."
"I'm gonna purge my tanks." Slipstream said very matter-of-factly from the door.
Starscream gave her an over the wing glance. "Now now, you'll get used to the title… along with taking my orders again. Speaking of old times, I know you wanted to have that final revenge hit, but I do hope we are letting old grudges between us go?"
The room full of Cons turned from Starscream to Slipstream. Scowling, she observed him in simmering silence. Then she grinned. "Sounds good Silver. It's out of my hands anyway." She assured him.
Satisfied with the answer, Starscream turned back to admiring himself in the mirror. "While we're on the subject of old times… Knock Out, why not hop back onto the right team. I assume your miserable amongst Autobot company. Why else would you be clambering to be here with us every free moment?"
Knock Out chuckled, putting away his tools. "What, I can't miss my old friends? Though the Autobots aren't too bad if you give them a chance. If I jumped sides again, I think I would crush their delicate little Sparks."
Starscream snickered. "Well, now that I have a say, you are always welcome to come back aboard."
Before either bot could continue making the room uncomfortable with their not-so-subtle flirting, three massive knocks bashed on the door. It then burst open. The unsettling smile of Grimlock came through before anyone invited him. "Yo boss! I found a bunch of Cons!" He announced to the embarrassed Bumblebee and others a few paces down the outside hall. "How are we handling these losers? I've got bunker grenades, or how about we use the old fashion way?" He burst into a fit of hysterics, his band of other Dinobots laughing right along. The rest of Team Prime looked mortified, save for Wheeljack.
Starscream huffed. "Your juvenile joke is in rather poor taste, beast."
"Ah! There's the big little bot himself on his big day!" Grimlock said, both servos motioning to Starscream as he let himself in. "Not even made leader on paper yet and it's already gone to his processor." He glanced around the room with a predatory smile. "Gang's all here. Never thought I'd be happy to see so many Cons alive after a big fight. We have Three Face plate and the Tank Boy." He announced, motioning to Blitzwing and Demolisher in kind. They both frowned at the nicknames from their seats. Despite their discomfort, or probably because of it, Grimlock continued. "Then we got our favorite new couple, both too shy to admit it. Glad to see she's humoring ya Specks." He said to Clobber. She immediately hid her face plates in her hands. Thunderblast put a comforting hand on Clobber, glaring at Grimlock as he continued to saunter around the room.
"Rammers! Good to see the helm's still in tacked!" He cheered, clasping Ramjet on the shoulder, who seemed to humor him with a grin. Grimlock looked down to Ramjet's boss. He nodded to her. "Slipstream."
"Grimlock." Slipstream greeted back professionally.
Grimlock spun around. He was grinning like a lunatic at Sharpshot, who didn't have time to escape past the Autobots or out the nearest window. "And my favorite Drone! Not even the crazed spider bitch could keep this one down!" He grabbed Sharpshot in a crushing hug that lifted the Vehicon off the floor.
Sharpshot gasped a pained intake, struggling in vain to get free. "Gah! So far you're doing more damage than she did Grim!"
Grimlock let them down with a snicker before anything in Sharpshot's frame broke. As the Vehicon leader recovered, Grimlock glanced about. "What? No mad Scientist? I was gettin' used to seein' his freakish one optic again. Gave me nostalgia in a way that made we want to purge."
"Shockwave was otherwise engaged." Sharpshot's second in command explained for her commander. Sharpshot was still doubled over from Grimlock's hug. "He's still recovering, and he felt his time was better suited somewhere that wasn't a party."
Grimlock deflated, looking very disappointed. "Damn, that's too bad. Thought I'd take the time to catch up, maybe bite off his other arm? Eh, another time then."
He checked the floor, looking worried he had stepped on something. "Hey Spooks? Where's the little Con and your Birdy? I never see them not attached to some part of your chassis."
"Rhea and Laserbeak are resting." Soundwave informed him. "I have asked a great deal of them both. This event is something I can handle alone."
"Nice of ya. You can always ask one of us to hold your hand if you need to." Grimlock offered with a grin.
"Thank you, Grimlock. You are dismissed." Ultra Magnus finally interrupted. The Autobot Commander was staring daggers at him from the door.
"What? I thought we were all friends?" Grimlock asked.
"You're working hard to fix that." Arcee pointed out. "Maybe try not to restart the war before we sign the damn treaty?"
Grimlock rose both servos, ready to offer the floor to the other Autobots. Then that familiar smirk returned to his features. The chill of trouble ran through the room once more. "I know we have a bunch of real important stuff to hash out before we all march out there all happy and waving… But, I need to borrow Spooks for a klik." He turned on Soundwave. He made sure to clasp a firm hand on his braced shoulder, making Soundwave have to repress a shutter. Knock Out joined Ultra Magnus in glaring at the massive bot when his antics almost dislocated Soundwave's shoulder for a third time. The other Autobots were also staring at him, unsure where he was going with the conversation.
"And how is it I can help you?" Soundwave asked coldly, trying to guess Grimlock's intentions beyond his antics while simultaneously ignoring the screaming pain in his shoulder.
"It's real quick, I swear!" Grimlock insisted, though somehow Soundwave doubted that. "So, we are all here to stand in unity and friendship bla bla bla. Real inspirational… Though, I want to say it right now, that this whole mess has me confused."
Soundwave narrowed his optics up at the smiling soldier. "Elaborate."
"The whole Con and Bot thing! Lines really blurred recently. A lot of blokes are jumping sides to your team, and hey, maybe they aren't so wrong."
"Grim, what are you talking about?" Bumblebee vented.
"I'm afraid to know." Ratchet grumbled.
"I'm sayin' I may take a break from being an Autobot for a while. Hardly be the first time anyways." He said, exacerbated, as if it were obvious. "I'm not sayin' I'll join the Cons, but hey, who knows? Now I'm a free bot, no boarders and free to shop around for a new team! I just wanted to let you, Spooks, and everyone in this room know I'm not affiliated with the good Autobots no more… In case, I do something that would reflect bad on them if I were still on their team."
A cold dread became palpable following that confession, mostly coming from the Autobots.
"What, were you planning on doing Grimlock?" Ultra Magnus demanded in a slow, cold inflection.
"Who said anything about a plan?" Grimlock fired back. "You know me, I don't plan scrap. All I'm sayin' is I can't guarantee what I'll do in the future, but since I'm not an Autobot, the new treaty won't go down in flames if something were to happen. No worries!"
"Yes worries!" Arcee hissed.
"We aren't having him anywhere near today's event." Starscream hissed amongst them.
Blitzwing scoffed. "Vith all dew respect, my Lord, vho vill be able to stop him? I vill not be attempting it."
Grimlock gave an over-dramatic shrug. He then patted Soundwave on the same shoulder before sitting hard in-between Demolisher and Blitzwing.
"We'll, um, deal with that." Bumblebee promised Soundwave meekly.
"It can be considered a lasting effect of the war." Soundwave offered. He rolled his shoulder in slow circles in an attempt to get it back in place. "His insubordination is on your faction, but his inability to be controlled is our fault. We are equally responsible for any mishaps that may come about."
"That is very magnanimous of you." Ultra Magnus said. He ventured further into the room, the others in his shadow. He arrived before Soundwave, his posture careful. "Though Grimlock did bring up one point I wished to discuss with you. The majority vote is with your side. We would all be foolish to not admit that. The treaty we are getting ready to sign is a good show of faith to stop the fighting. But I have to wonder what your plans are for those of my faction that remain?"
Soundwave nodded slow, taking in the question and everything it implied. Ultra Magnus was stating out loud what was a very uncomfortable truth for his faction. The Primes were gone. The Autobots stood outnumbered and thanks to Decimus and Sigil, they were not seen as the most sympathetic side. For all intense and purposes, the Decepticons had won the war. The treaty be damned, he could take this moment to annihilate them all. Solidify everything they had worked for.
"I admit, this is what Megatron had always wanted." Soundwave confessed. "In his days of conquest, his plans for the end of the war were cold and firm, as was his vision of justice. He would have demanded retribution in spilled Energon for every Decepticon life lost in the war."
Rhea flashed through his mind, some not too distant memory of the beginnings of their relationship, and how he had almost destroyed it with his lies. But she had forgiveness in her heart and took a chance. "But an old human proverb comes to mind. I believe it goes, 'Let bygones be bygones.' I will not follow Megatron's views of justice through retribution. Not anymore. At some point we need to stop trying to balance past sins and transgressions against each other."
The Autobot's grim expression turned to smiles. It was more than they could have hoped for.
Smokescreen let out a nervous chuckle. "So, you're changing your mind so much, you gonna join the Autobots?" he asked, almost hopeful.
Soundwave considered that. Then he laughed. Out loud, to the shock of almost everyone in the room. It was probably the first time in his whole life he had laughed that hard in front of others. "Absolutely not. I have not completely lost my self-respect." He assured the young bot.
"We were a little worried the way you were talking, my Lord." Sharpshot said with a snicker.
His smile fading, Soundwave found the Trooper in his sights. "Though, it is enough of that." He said. Sharpshot was taken aback, not sure what they had done wrong. "I am not the Senate of old or the untouchable elites. I am no one's 'Lord.' I intend to stand firm by the principles that Megatron founded before they became corrupted. I will not let us slip back into Functionalism, something our cause hated and yet reestablished into our ranks. We are all equal. Not one is greater than another."
He walked to Sharpshot, hovering a few paces away. The Trooper remained frozen, not sure how they had come to be his focus for this point to make. "I have mentioned, alongside Starscream and myself, another true Decepticon would rule with us as equal. I have not had the moment to ask you, but this could be a better time than any."
Few times had the talkative bot been rendered totally speechless. But Sharpshot was so, frozen and staring up at Soundwave. They thawed, only to turn around to see if Soundwave was addressing somebot behind them. Of course, there was nobot there, and they spun about face, almost trembling. "But I'm just a Trooper?" They pointed out; their tone confounded.
Soundwave placed a hand on their smaller shoulder. "True. And yet as I said to you on the cycle we first met, you have gone above and beyond your duties. You have outperformed most high officers who have not had the hurdles you have faced from their creation. You did this all without any ulterior motive or means of clawing to the top. You believe in the Decepticon cause, the true original cause. That is why I chose you."
Soundwave motioned back towards Starscream who was still preening in the mirror. "I have already discussed this with my partner, which he has grudgingly agreed." He said. Starscream only rolled his optics. "I have the Decepticon history, every ideology logged and filed. I have the passcodes at my fingertips. Starscream is a brilliant military tactician. We both have eons of experience by Megatron's side," He gave Sharpshot's shoulder a firm assuring shake. "But you, Sharpshot, have a youthful optimistic light, and a bond with our people that I have not seen amongst our ranks since the very beginning. Will you accept this task?"
"Don't leave our Lord hanging like I did." Thunderblast said from her own corner. "He was hoping for a team of four… Now it'll be you and him against whatever insanity Scream can come up with."
"Continue to irritate your Lord, see how that goes for you." Starscream snapped.
Through the banter between Seekers, Sharpshot maintained their unbroken gaze on Soundwave. "I will." They whispered. "T-thank you."
As Soundwave shook Sharpshot's small, clawed hand, Arcee snickered. "I'm just astonished Starscream agreed to this. Did Soundwave have him at gun point?"
"Facts." Wheeljack echoed. "Now there are two other leaders standing in your way Scream. That's a long way to supreme Con Overlord."
Starscream huffed a laugh. "Silly Autobots. As if you would know the intricate details of our complex ranks… Plus, you lot forget I am a master at the long game."
Grimlock shook the room with a roaring laugh. He all but leapt off his seat to accost Sharpshot again. "I've got a load of leadership tips to share wit cha! But even without 'em you'll talk circles around these two! You're short and scrawny, nothin' we can do about that, so we need to figure out some ways to make ya outshine the others."
Sharpshot laughed, anxiety catching up to them. "I think it's supposed to be a team thing, Grim."
Grimlock rose an optic ridge. "Sure, sure… But you're Cons. So, if ya ever feel like rulin' alone, and need a hit or two taken out, you have my Comm number."
"And with that!" Bumblebee said loudly, trying to snatch the focus onto him and off Grimlock. "We should get into place! Before the crowd gets to rowdy."
"Or Grimlock ruins any more historic Decepticon moments." Arcee added.
It took a large group effort, but the Autobots managed to coax Grimlock from the room. All the while he continued to give Sharpshot an assuring double thumbs up. Soundwave shook Sharpshot from their stupor so they could all get ready. He glanced the crowd out the window one last time. It was a mishmash of Decepticon, Autobot, and nonaligned faceplates. No matter the faction, there was the combined joy of a people relieved to finally be done with the hate. He was glad to be a part of it. He hoped Megatron could see it from where he was.
"Soundwave." Arcee said.
He turned from the window to face her. By her flat expression, he could tell she was not joking. She meant business, whatever it was. She held up a data stick.
He looked at it, then back at her, confused. "It's the location of an Autobot Wrecker base." She said, though that alone didn't exactly answer his implied question. "You said you couldn't find it. When you went looking for Ravage's body at the location Tarn had attacked, but our faction had moved all the dead. This is the location all those slain at that first base, Con and Bot, were laid to rest. Wheeljack tracked it down and made sure. Ravage is there. In case you wanted to go and collect your friend and lay him to rest wherever you wanted to."
Soundwave stood in shock. He still couldn't take the device, looking between it and the stern two-wheeler who offered it. He glanced over her shoulder and saw Wheeljack waiting for Arcee in the doorway. The Wrecker gave him a nod as confirmation.
"Thank you, both of you." Soundwave said. He took the tracker from Arcee, wishing his simple words could convey the depths of his true gratitude.
"Don't mention it." She said, falling back into a casual mood and heading after Wheeljack towards the door. "I know you said we should stop trying to balance the wrongs of the past. But if you're in the position to set things right, what does that make us if we chose not to?"
Soundwave tapped into the data stick and mapped out the coordinates in his mind. A small asteroid belt a few galaxies away… That was how close Ravage was to coming home.
"My Lord- I mean, Soundwave?" Sharpshot intoned. Soundwave jumped. "Are we ready?" They asked.
Soundwave put away the data stick, intending the trip for a quiet day soon to come, and nodded to his equal partner.
Their combined groups arrived on the stage to roaring applause. Streamers, fireworks, blaster fire, and basically everything not sanctioned to go off in the buttoned up Autobot Capital rocketed into the sky.
The looming forms of Predaking and a few of his people stood already ready on the stage. The Predacons would also be a part of the Treaty, though more aligned with the Decepticon side. They would be sharing a Capital city after all. Starscream had an issue with Predaking staying in Darkmount. Soundwave pointed out how little they could really do about that. Plus, the Predacons had helped them in their greatest hour of need, after Megatron's faction betrayed Predakings. The least they could do was share a damn city.
One of the Predacons amongst the others was one Soundwave hadn't seen in bot mode. She stood at Predaking's midsection; her wings folded around her shoulders like a cape. Her yellow optics were curious as they scanned the crowd. She found Sharpshot as they approached the stage.
"Are you?" Sharpshot assumed, though stopped short, afraid to offend.
"The one on the ship you saved." She confirmed. "Silverwing. Nice to officially meet you." She gazed out to the many screaming bots and frowned. "Are you little ones usually this noisy?"
Sharpshot laughed through the tension. "Only when we're this happy. Hopefully, we'll hear it enough to get used to it… ack!"
Grimlock had come up from behind. He shoved Sharpshot closer to Silverwing while wearing a massive grin. "Good, you met each other! But did you know this one is the new Con leader? Just in case you're into the Bot with power thing." He said.
Despite Sharpshot's clear embarrassment, Silverwing laughed. That drained the tension out of Sharpshot's shoulders, and they were able to relax, laughing along too.
Soundwave managed to reign in the crowd with some audio feedback. It allowed Ultra Magnus to start. He addressed the hoards who had gathered. "I wish to praise every member of our glorious world! You were able to open your Sparks and take on this new challenge of uncertainty. To trust those once known to be enemies is perhaps the greatest act of bravery we have ever managed. But we have all done so with great enthusiasm and honor. I will do everything in my power to assure the sins of the past are not repeated. I encourage every one of us to lead with this same mindset, ready to take on the future."
To roaring applause, a round bot appeared, walking up the steps to the stage. MacCadam, smiling cheerful as usual. He was holding an old data log, the page opened to their open-ended treaty.
Soundwave signed it without hesitation. Starscream came next, who made doing so a big show. And at last, Sharpshot finished, right alongside the other two names. Ultra Magnus signed his name by theirs. Looking very uncomfortable, Bumblebee and Arcee did the same. Predaking took the small writing stylus in his claws and managed a shaky but legible signature.
"It'll work out." MacCadam assured them all as he closed the document. His voice was hard to hear over the commotion around them. Bumblebee and the Autobots seemed reassured by it. As he waddled off the stage, data pad in hand, he hesitated. He then leaned over and whispered into Soundwave's auditory, "Though they WILL be mad at you for the stunt you're going to pull on Earth in a few days. But that'll pass to." He chuckled before all but dancing off the stage.
Soundwave watched him go, still having no idea how he was capable of such clairvoyance. Not even Laserbeak knew what Soundwave was plotting for when they returned to Earth… Soundwave supposed this meant said 'stunt' had been preordained by the fates. That was good, because he had been grappling with how to handle what was to come, unsure if it was even wise to see it through despite knowing it was the right choice. But now, he took MacCadam's prediction to mean he had gotten the proverbial green light to go ahead with it, consequences be damned. Good to know.
Putting his plot related to Earth away for the moment and getting back to business, Soundwave turned to Ultra Magnus and shook his hand. He repeated the good faith gesture with Arcee and Predaking, who looked equal parts uncomfortable to be so focused on. Finally, his focus landed on the smiling Bumblebee. The young bot appeared ready to ascend to Primus from pure elated happiness. They clasped hands, and Bumblebee took that as an invitation to pull him in for a half embrace Soundwave was in no way prepared for.
"One day at a time. We'll keep each other in check this go around." Bumblebee said between them, still not releasing Soundwave. "We can make this work. I know we can."
Though immensely uncomfortable, Soundwave refrained from shaking out of the Autobot's grip. Really, he didn't have to say anything, maybe offer a half-Sparked nod to appease the young bot.
"I will do my part to assure we do not fall again." He promised in leu of remaining silent. He had learned through recent history, remaining silent was not always the better choice. Actions could be powerful, but it could lack context and emotion. Sometimes all that was needed was a simple statement. Whether to seal the trust between allies, or if only to assure a friend.
Bumblebee released him. He gave Soundwave another smile, this time one of shared gratitude. Standing alongside their new allies, though awkward, it felt, right somehow. Soundwave basked in it.
He amplified his voice with the surrounding acoustics. He pushed away his fear of public speaking for one more horrific time and addressed the crowd. "People of Cybertron. I hesitate to call this the end. For whom among us can say what is to come? We have taken a risk in what we have done this cycle. We have placed trust in our enemies. Those before us would call that foolish. We have far too many differences to trust in each other… I am a Decepticon. I will always be one and will almost always disagree with the ideas of the Autobots. But I have learned in recent shared moments, that like us, there's more to them than meets the eye." He felt the Autobot's staring at him, as he assumed they would. But he continued, intending this to be brief and to the point. "So today, in the name of hope, in the name of freedom, our races are united by a history long forgotten, and a future we shall face together."
The Capital cheered as he stepped back, nodding to Sharpshot and Starscream to take over. It wasn't the first time those words had been heard in these streets. Bumblebee's shock turned to a smile. He and the others recognized their leader's words, as did the crowd. Soundwave offered them a silent shrug. It was the first time he had ever quoted a Prime. As he was planning this, none of Megatron's speeches really had the right tone for this sort of thing. Just this one time, Optimus Prime's words seemed to fit.
Sharpshot came forward to express their own words of hope with far more energy than he had mustered. Relief in Soundwave's Spark came when Sharpshot spoke. He didn't care if it was selfish. He couldn't wait to leave most of the public talking up to his new partners after this.
Finally, Starscream took to the podium. He sauntered up with the confidence of four million years of this moment built up in his head. Soundwave caught Arcee rolling her optics, and again he shrugged. One of the terms for Sharpshot to rule alongside them, was for Starscream to have the final say in the commencement. It was a small price to pay for all the good it would do in the end. They could deal with a little bit of Starscream's boasting.
He smiled over the crowd, spotless finish shining in the midday sun. "My fellow Cybertronians! I, Lord Starscream, promise-"
But they would never know what Starscream intended to promise his fellow Cybertronians. Because Grimlock took that moment to step out from the lineup on stage and slam his fist right into Starscream's faceplates. The force of the blow sent Starscream flying off stage, landing in an unconscious heap amongst the gasping crowd.
Grimlock was grinning, Ultra Magnus was screaming at him, Wheeljack was almost on the ground laughing, and the rest of the Autobots wore different masks of shock. Sharpshot was the first to thaw, jumping down off the stage to render some first aid to Starscream. If he was even still online to render aid to, Soundwave thought. The punch had almost sent a shockwave through the crowd after all.
In the chaos, Soundwave noticed Slipstream was casually counting out a large sum of shanix. "Pleasure doing business with you." She said, handing the cash to the happy Dinobot.
"Best shanix I ever made." Grimlock said while stashing it away.
Slipstream leaned over the edge of the stage where Starscream was moaning. "Ok Silver, NOW we're even."
With an air of stiff indifference, he had since reestablished even without the use of his mask, Soundwave took in the scene. Grimlock was still ignoring Ultra Magnus's yelling. Sharpshot had tried every safe protocol of first aid and had now resorted to try and shake Starscream awake. Bumblebee was insisting to Soundwave that this was not planned, and they could salvage this.
Just beyond the crowd, he noticed MacCadam, thumbing through the old data pad while trying very hard not to snicker. He was in the rare position of having seen this event as a distinct possibility, and apparently, just chose to not say anything in favor of watching how it all played out. Or, maybe not even the cosmos could have predicted the chaotic force that was Grimlock.
Soundwave vented hard, almost able to hear the laughter of Megatron and the Prime in his mind. He'd almost be disappointed if things hadn't started out with at least a little bit of chaos.
