Well, Soundwave might be slightly OOC in this as well, but… too bad? I have to admit, I have a headcanon that despite his typical reticence, on the inside, Soundwave is channeling Squidward (Think: Everyone's an idiot except for me) with all the sarcasm and snark therein. Yes, I'm a dork. Yes, I watch Spongebob. Deal with it. Or not. So, most of that wasn't really relevant to the story, but yeah. That might explain some of Soundwave's behavior and 'speech' patterns and whatnot. Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review! It's always super encouraging, and legitimately the only reason I've been updating every day/every other so far. Special shout-out to G1ntsuk1, Link Fangirl01, and Eolian1 for the awesome reviews! They are all appreciated (as are all others, I'm just too lazy to go through and find everyone), and even though I haven't actually responded individually like I'd like to, know that you are recognized and appreciated. Enjoy this next chapter!

… [[Switchshade…]]

[[Sire, please, before you-]]

[[Switchshade.]]

[[…]]

[[What did I tell you?]]

[[Sire…]]

[[What. Did. I. Tell. You.]]

[[…Switchshade: must avoid any contact with Soundwave, Lord Megatron, and the Nemesis … But sire-]]

[[…]]

[[…]]

[[Switchshade: disobeyed. At risk of Autobot retaliation if discovered. Switchshade: foolish]]

Despite his stern message, Soundwave almost immediately pulsed a reassuring comfort/protect/affection along the long-range comm. before sending in quick succession irritation/exasperation/concern.

[[Query: Why did Switchshade risk comms? Have the Autobots moved to harm you?]]

[[No! No, they have been nothing but gracious and merciful… I just… Are you with Starscream now, sire?]]

[[…Affirmative]]

[[Is Lord Optimus Prime present? And the scout known as 'Bumblebee'? I know your loyalty to Lord Megatron was/is unshakeable, but to Starscream…]]

[[Switchshade: must not speak of Lord Megatron again…]]

[[Understood. Sire, please, if it is within your power, do not harm the Lord Prime or his scout. I know better than most your abilities, and I would not see them come to harm, nor you at their servos]]

[[Soundwave: will not actively interfere unless necessary. Starscream: overreaching]]

[[Sire, might I ask a favor?]]

[[…]]

Switchshade glanced cautiously around the base as he edged towards the corner that was rapidly becoming one of his favorite places to lurk. Muting his field and dulling his optics, he subtly gave off a feeling of boredom/relaxation as he leaned against the wall, half-heartedly watching as Ratchet successfully commandeered all three humans' projects. Knowing well the miniscule, odd tickling sensation in the center of the helm that occurred when Soundwave was procuring hidden or shielded knowledge, Switchshade felt a vast wave of gratitude towards his surrogate sire for respecting his choice enough to not even attempt to get past Switchshade's shielding. Not that it would be difficult in any way for him to do so… I would just need to disconnect as quickly as possible so that the location of the base might remain secret.

Soundwave, after sending nearly every variation of disappointment and exasperation known to mech-kind, had acquiesced to the younger mech's plea to be given a play-by-play of what was occurring where Lord Prime and Bumblebee had gone to investigate. If both Starscream and Soundwave were present, it must be important. Thankfully, Soundwave knew his adopted mechling's situation meant that any relayed information would be of little tactical value to the Autobots, and so had agreed to Switchshade's request.

With perfect clarity, Soundwave played back the conversation occurring between Lord Prime, Starscream, and… Skyquake? Intrigued, the black mech settled down further in his corner, crossing his arms before his chassis and leaning heavily against the wall at his back as he slid down to a sitting position, giving the appearance of being half-asleep. He listened closely as Soundwave began to transmit.

"…this ancient war still worth fighting? When so many comrades have been lost, and worlds destroyed? If you want to be a true leader, Starscream, then stray from Megatron's path-" Soundwave paused for a moment here to play a brief recording of a derisive snort that sounded quite a bit like Knockout's, before continuing, "-and lead the Decepticons toward peace." Lord Prime's voice was as strong and commanding as ever, causing Switchshade to exvent heavily in relief at the knowledge that a battle had not yet commenced. The sudden noise made Cliffjumper and Arcee glance over at him curiously, but at the sight of his nearly-offlined optics and drooping helm, the two 'Bots let him be.

Soundwave continued, sharing the Decepticons' new lord's perspective on Lord Prime's suggestion, "I would be willing to consider a truce-" Switchshade's spark fluttered violently, and he dialed up his audials even more, despite knowing that it would change nothing of the volume of the comm., "if you would be willing to bow before me, Optimus Prime." At the seeker's final words, the desperate, tentative hope that had been building in Switchshade's spark instantly guttered and died out, replaced with a burning rage at Starscream's temerity. Soundwave, of course, picked up on the fury that Switchshade couldn't keep entirely from their comm., and responded with a wave of mild amusement before continuing.

"Again?! Bow to this!" Lord Prime was not given a chance to answer the seeker's outrageous demand, for it seemed Skyquake had taken offense as well, instantly snarling at Starscream before the sound of armor striking armor clued Switchshade into the fact that the fight had begun. Oddly enough, it seemed that Skyquake had struck first at Starscream, not Lord Prime. Soundwave confirmed, [[Skyquake: loyal to Lord Megatron. Refuses to believe what… Will not accept that Starscream is now acting lord of the Decepticons]]

The Spymaster continued the comm., as Optimus attempted to convince Skyquake to join him and help the Autobots end the war, but his offer was almost instantly rebuffed, "I will never side with a Prime!" Again, the sounds of battle occurred, and this time, Switchshade began to worry, despite knowing full well that Optimus was more than capable of handling even a warrior of Skyquake's ability. [[Starscream: approaches]] Soundwave warned, before the comm. was suddenly shut off from his end of the line, leaving Switchshade alone once again.

He sat, stunned, in the corner for a moment longer, before suddenly rising to his pedes and pacing restlessly. Bulkhead glanced over at him once, smirked, and then looked back at the CMO. Ratchet was now attempting to 'help' Rafael with his project, and Raf bore a similar look to Miko. "Um… What is it?" he asked the medic/scientist curiously. "You'll find out."

"But, Ratchet? Shouldn't I be doing the work?" The medic looked down at the tiny human with a scowl, waving a servo in warning when Raf made to touch 'his' project. "Eh-yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't touch! Just watch, and learn." Bulkhead and Arcee stood nearby, watching Ratchet work, and then Bulkhead muttered, "So, we're just gonna go help Jack and Miko finish their-" That caught Ratchet's attention, and the medic instantly rose, looking between the Wrecker and the femme in shock. "Without my supervision?! You want them to be right, don't you?" When his audience simply glanced at each other, the medic grinned almost maniacally, and lit a welder on the tip of one of his fingers, the light from his servo reflecting eerily off his faceplates as he declared, "Then watch a master at work!"

Switchshade took one look at the medic's faceplates, and the easily lethal weapon wielded with precise skill despite the seeming distraction of the mech who held it, and then quietly stepped back from where he had been about to approach. Nope. It can wait. Miko, leaning against the railing of a higher platform beside Jack as they watched 'Raf work on his project', glanced at the Autobot CMO and snarked, "Control freak…" Which was met with complete apathy from the mech in question and emphatic nods from everyone else in the base sans Switchshade.

Despite his desire to pester Ratchet with pleas for information regarding Lord Prime's fight, Switchshade knew that it would be difficult to pull the medic from the projects, let alone convince him to potentially distract the Lord Prime with a comm., while avoiding giving away any details that he should not have known of. Settling for patience, with the reassurance that Ratchet would be given warning if Lord Prime's life signal were to offline, the black mech returned to his unobtrusive pacing.

Nearly half a solar cycle later, (Cliffjumper, Arcee, and Bulkhead had taken the humans to school so that they could present 'their' projects several earth hours ago), Lord Prime commed Ratchet and commanded that a groundbridge be opened to their location. The mission was a success. As they stepped through, Switchshade's optics widened as he noticed Bumblebee leaning on Lord Prime, and without thought the black mech moved to support the scout's other side. Careful not to even brush against Lord Prime's supporting servos opposite him, Switchshade focused on helping balance Bumblebee as they eased him to the base's medbay. Ratchet quickly took over, millennia of experience in handling wounded mechs enabling him to hoist and maneuver Bumblebee's frame without causing any further damage or pain with ease.

"Bumblebee, putting yourself at risk was perhaps not the wisest of strategies, but you performed admirably." Switchshade's optics widened in surprise, for what had begun as seeming chastisement now sounded much more like praise. Praise for a job well-done was nearly unheard of on the Nemesis. If your work was unsatisfactory, you were punished for it accordingly. If it was sufficient, you were left alone. To be praised for simply performing one's duty seemed… odd, if not entirely unpleasant. Ratchet helped the wounded 'Bot to the repair unit just past the medbay berths, and flipped a switch to release a cloud of repair nanites over the scout's frame as Lord Prime spoke.

A half-klik later, the process was complete, and Bumblebee stepped out, almost entirely recovered as the nanites completes any hairline fissures that the medic may have missed. He whirred and beeped in response to Lord Prime's praise, a modest comment stating that he was pleased to have done well, and that he would have acted so again, if doing so ensured the safety of his team. The sudden screeching of tires came from the common area, and Ratchet immediately perked up in excitement, the normally gruff old medic grinning once again as he hurried out to meet the returning 'Bots and humans, exclaiming, "Ah ha ha! There you are!"

Miko climbed out of Bulkhead, Raf copying her as he moved from Cliffjumper in 'Bee's absence, and Jack swung off of Arcee. "Well?" the CMO demanded, clearly too eager to hear how his- erm… the humans' projects had gone over, to wait even a klik longer. "How were my- uh, our projects received?" The humans glanced at each other hesitantly, before Raf ventured, "Well…" And then Miko launched into a vivid description of just how, exactly, everything that could have gone wrong did.

The medic's characteristic gruffness returned with full force, as he crossed his arms and grumbled, "Well. On our planet, you would have been awarded the highest honors!" And then, more to himself than anyone in particular, he muttered, "Absolutely no gratitude… See if I help them…" as he wandered off. Lord Prime had stood slightly behind him as he grumbled, his faceplates smooth of any emotion, although there was a suspicious twinkle of amusement in his optics as he watched the medic storm off in a huff.

Switchshade sidled away from Lord Prime almost instinctively, following Ratchet for lack of anything better to do, although the medic didn't go far, stopping when he reached the main computer in the common area. The black mech shuffled around so as to be able to see the entrance to the base as well as the Prime, and then settled in leaning against the wall closest to Ratchet as Bumblebee approached the Prime and beeped a comment that Switchshade prayed the medic did not catch. Lord Prime, entirely deadpan, responded, "Indeed, Bumblebee. Our human friends would have been wise to stray from Ratchet's path." Switchshade fought desperately to keep from laughing, knowing that he should not reveal that he possessed the knowledge to understand the jest, but greatly amused despite himself because of it. Who knew Lord Prime had a sense of humor?

Oh, one more thing I had forgotten. Someone on here (guest, I think) had asked if I was planning to deviate from canon or to simply throw Switchshade in for the ride. Easy answer: yes. Ha. I plan to follow canon as closely as possible, but I kept Cliffjumper alive, and the odds are good that Switchshade's not going to be on board with the whole 'Let's plant a bomb/virus in Laserbeak' plan, or worse yet, the 'Let's send Soundwave to the Shadowzone... forever!' plan, so the odds are good that canon will be altered but hopefully not completely butchered.