"Broken Promises"
When the war began, Megatronus, who had shortened his name to Megatron, appointed me as chief over the army he was gathering. I accepted without question, eager to get away from the ring. Only to find more violence outside it.
Unbeknownst to Megatron, I still cared deeply for Vi and Mel, who were more than old enough to be living on their own, but chose to stay with me. They refused to leave, knowing I would go insane without them. They were all I had left. Their career in dancing shattered when the war stirred up. I was so torn up by disgust, hate and coldness, that I became absolutely silent. Never speaking, except for occasionally in written word. The few good things I had in life were dissolved by the events of time. Now, only Vibes and Melody were left to remind me that there was still the slightest bit of good among the chaos.
The last thing I wanted to do was go to war. It was almost worse than being a gladiator. Yes, there was a purpose for the fight, but it was vague. I wouldn't allow the twins to be caught up in it all. No, I wouldn't allow a war to destroy their lives. So I had to make the hardest, most devastating decision of my life.
To give up the last two rays of hope I had left.
xxx
"Vibes. Melody." It had been cycles since I had last spoken. My voice was gruff and broken now. I was planning on programming my visor to disguise it if ever I am forced to speak. The twins jump, used to me entering the unit without a sound. They both stand, looking concerned. I feel their eyes on me as I hesitate, removing my visor. I was wearing it more and more now, even around my sisters.
"Waves?" Inquired Melody gently, her voice still as beautiful as it had been so many cycles ago.
I am Melody… Her sparkling voice echoed in my head. I remember…
Two little white sparklings dancing in the lobby. Two young fems with stars in their eyes as they performed for crowds all over Cybertron. Fems who snuck out to meet mechs in the night…
"I am Melody."
"I'm Vibes…"
"Soundwave! How long have you been there?"
"Soundwaa-aave, we're boo-oored!"
Suddenly, through the sea of fragmented memories, one single image hits me like a shot from a blaster, drilling into my spark as the scene appeared in my mind. Our apartment in the old complex, younger versions of Vi and Mel on either side of me. Almost ready to become independents.
"Soundwave, are you alright?"
"I'm… fine,"
"No… you're… not." Young Melody sang.
"I was just thinking."
"You're always thinking." Young Vi pointed out.
"... I was thinking about your independence… You two are only a quarter cycle away from being of age."
I shudder at the silence the statement brings.
"...are you going to send us away?"
"You are… aren't you?"
"After all we've done together?"
"Soundwave, we love you."
"Soundwave.."
"Soundwave…"
"Soundwave!"
Vibes grabbed my hand, jolting me from my trance. Quickly, she let go, stepping back.
"Soundwave…" Melody asked quietly, "Are you alright?"
In the distance, the echoing blast of an explosion sounded. The battles were getting dangerously close, even in the mere moments we have been here. Vibes flinched at the sound, looking worriedly out the window.
"That one was close…" She murmured.
I tapped in a code to the command pad on the wall beside me. The result: a large panel moved away, revealing the escape pods I had had installed to the unit in case of an emergency.
"You have to leave." I told them. "It's too dangerous here." I handed each of them their visors, which I had modified like my own, with a few unique features. They took them, looking confused. I entered another code, and the pods opened, awaiting their passengers.
There were only two.
Melody's expression changed as she realized what was going on.
"You're not coming with us?" She cried, "You can't tell us to go, and expect us to leave you behind!"
"Yes, I can."
I didn't hesitate, lifting her up so suddenly she couldn't resist. When I released her, she instantly sat up in the pod.
"Soundwave!"
Not speaking, I pushed her back in. Not harshly, but firmly, closing the pod door over her. She struggled, trying desperately to claw open the hatch from inside. I tried to focus on the entries to finalize the pod launch. Melody finally surrendered, seeing as my mind would not be changed. They had to survive. And I couldn't go with them, because no matter where I am in this Universe, the monster will follow.
My only comfort now is knowing that they have a chance to truly live.
Vibes looked like a sparkling, coolant running down her beautiful silver faceplate. An image flashed past my vision, a pair of timid blue optics glowing in the darkness. A spark beating almost in time with mine, a small, frail form at my side.
I love you, Vi… A pain shot through my spark. … I'll never leave you, I promise.
Today, that promise was broken. For the sake of her life.
For the sake of both their lives.
Vibes shook her head as I approached her. "No," She said, trying to be firm. Her voice wavered. "You said you couldn't send us away! We love you!"
"... I believe I have grown to love you, too. I can't send you away." My own words. Spoken so long ago.
Of course she still remembered.
"This is for your own safety." I said quietly. "I can't risk you dying."
"You don't have to!" She pleaded, "We can hide, we'll be safe! Then the war will be over, and we can be a family again!"
I shook my head. "No. No one is safe, now."
Just as I had her sister, I picked her up. She clung to me, refusing to let go and be closed into the pod. I took her hands from around my neck, pushing them back.
"I'm sorry." I say, closing the pod door. I entered the launch code, and one other thing.
Then, for the last time, I looked at my sisters. Melody looked back with a pleading expression, silently begging me to change my mind. Vibes didn't look back at all. She hid her face behind her servos as she wept bitterly. I put a hand on the door of Melody's pod,
"After this is over, I promise," I tell her through the screen, "I will find you. Take care of your sister, Melody. And take care of yourself."
Tears streaking down her face, she nodded. I set the launch countdown. The pods' engines started warming up. In less than five minutes, Vibes and Melody would be safely out of Cybertron's atmosphere. This may very well be the last chance I get to tell them...
"I love you."
Next Up: The Sequel! Thank you so much to those of you following & faving Triple Beat! Stay wonderful, and God bless!
-Wonder
