For those of you who know Thunderwing in the Marvel comics, G1/IDW comics and the Transformers Prime video game, I will be using the G1/IDW comics version of him.
Chapter 6: Trust
The military began to hang wanted posters of Soundwave all over Cybertron. Many more bounty hunters were sent out to look for him. They couldn't kill Soundwave, just simply capture him and bring him back to the main base. The bounty was at 500,000,000 credits for his capture. Very soon, the war between Cybertron and the other planets would begin. But the plans were haulted until Soundwave was captured. The two remaining commanders had learned about the third one's demise at the claws of Soundwave and knew this wouldn't be easy. The commander who had the idea in the first place was a power-hungry mech named Thunderwing. Once he heard about Soundwave, he quickly believed him to be the true decider of Cybertron's fate and he was going to stop him no matter the cost. The other commander worried they may be taken this a little too far.
"Rest assured, this kid will not decide our fate. The path Cybertron is taking is necessary and no one will stand in our way." Thunderwing told the other commander as they watched all their soilders train.
Thunderwing wanted power, so much of it. He'd do anything to have it. He was considered unstable by everyone else but the last person who said that outloud was beaten to death by him. He didn't want to admit he was insane and considered himself brave and powerful. Thunderwing grew up in a rough neighborhood and was often beaten up a lot for his crazy behavior. He wanted to become a scientist and was very well in that field. But outside of that he had started to become a dangerous criminal. Some wonder how he became a military commander but never ask.
"So...what do you think about that other kid with him in this picture?" The other mech asked as they turned around to a monitor showing the picture of Soundwave and Bumblebee.
Thunderwing hissed and gritted his sharp teeth.
"Does anybody know the status of that mech?" Thunderwing asked.
"Reports say he's dead."
"Hmm, I wouldn't think so. After all, there was nothing on the news of him being missing in Kaon. It's like they knew what was happening."
"Disguise mabye?"
"If Soundwave is this guy's best friend...then mabye he's looking for him. And where he goes, I WILL!" Thunderwing's claws clenched into fists.
"Huh?"
"I don't plan on staying around here, I'm going to find these two and take care of them personally." Thunderwing grinned thinking of the power he could get.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Thunderwing turned to the other commander and growled. His angry face was enough to make Unicron take a step back.
"EVERYTHING I DO IS A GOOD IDEA! GOT IT?" Thunderwing snarled in the mech's face.
"Yeah!" The mech whimpered.
"Hmph, you call yourself a commander of this army and you can't even stand up to me." Thunderwing scoffed walking away.
Thunderwing walked down a long hallway. He couldn't stop thinking about Soundwave and his best friend. Why would Primus send down such a mysterious mech to scare everyone on Cybertron? Not that we was scared. He had planned to challenge Soundwave for the power...and he was going to win. Of course, knowing there were rebel armies on the other side of the planet, he may need some help. Normally he hated getting help as he was an extremely good fighter by himself. He found his four top soilders talking in the hallway. However, what Thunderwing didn't know was that it was actually two Predacons and two Insecticons using a cloaking device pretending to be the soilders who they killed earlier. They were trying to get information on Soundwave who was actually their friend. When they saw Thunderwing they stood straight and saluted.
"Hello sir." One of them said.
"I got a special job for you four." Thunderwing walked up to them.
"Yes sir?" Another said.
"I need you to head out early and find Soundwave and his friend. They are probably around the Iacon command center." Thunderwing ordered.
"Oh yeah, I heard about that guy, he may be the decider!" The third one said.
"I know he is, and he will not make it here. I myself will stay around here in case they find a way past you. If you find them, give me your location and I will deal with them personally." Thunderwing said.
"Yes sir!" The four said and left.
Once the four were away from the base, they uncloaked themselves to be Rampage, Razorclaw, Ransack and Chop Shop.
"He-he, we fooled him!" Rampage snickered.
"Yeah, now let's go find Soundwave before he decides the planet's fate!" Razorclaw said.
"We are Soundwave's friends, you think he'd spare us?" Ransack asked.
"He better, or there will be hell to pay." Chop Shop sneered.
The four scrambled away hoping they would reach Soundwave in time. Thunderwing exited the base a few minutes later, transformed into a jet and flew away. He vowed never to return to the base without Soundwave's powerful spark in his claws. The next morning, Soundwave awoke nearly forgetting where he was. Luckily he had his own room in the base. He ran a quick diagnostic on his systems making sure everything was ready.
"I really miss home." Soundwave sighed.
He walked down the empty hallways and found himself in what looked like a kitchen. He was alone with tons of energon cubes stacked in several corners. The light of day poured through the windows and bounced off Soundwave's mask. When he took it off he hissed like a vampire at the light while his optics adjusted to it. Afterwards he began to drink from a cube just as Starscream came in yawning.
"Morning 'Wave." Starscream stretched.
"Morning Screamer." Soundwave waved. "How's your optic?"
"A lot better and I can see perfectly now." Starscream said.
Soundwave noticed the blackness was still faint around the eye. He had to chuckle at that.
"So...you still got today and 3 more days to decide." Starscream said.
"Yep, still thinking. Right now I'm a little mad about this whole "wanted" thing and I just wish things were back to normal." Soundwave finished the energon.
"So you can make-out with Bumblebee?" Starscream sneered.
"WHAT! NO! That's not why!" Soundwave lied.
"Dude seriously, how did you two fall in love so quickly even though you only knew each other for a week?" Starscream asked.
"Well, we just got along really great and did everything together, it just felt like the week went by pretty slow and we had a lot to do. Apparently to him, I seemed more attractive in my feral side. But...we're not trying to rush it." Soundwave explained as Starscream's smirk grew.
"Oh please, as soon as you two reunite, you're going to frag his aft into submission." Starscream teased.
At that comment, Soundwave got up quickly making Starscream scramble out of his chair and run with Soundwave right on his tail. Starscream was too busy laughing his aft off not realizing he was about to run into Shockwave who had just exited his room. Shockwave shielded himself with his gun as the two seekers ran into it and fell on the floor.
"Alright what are you two fooling around about?" Shockwave said slightly annoyed but amused at the same time as they got up.
"Soundwave wants to-"
Soundwave yanked on Starscream's wings who yelped.
"Nevermind!" Starscream said.
"Come on, we got to get moving. Some of our allies just alerted me that Thunderwing has sent out a few Predacons and Insecticons to look for Soundwave. We need to keep moving." Shockwave said walking past them.
"WHAT! PREDACONS AND INSECTICONS ARE AFTER ME NOW?" Soundwave yelled.
"Wow, I didn't know Predacons were still alive...much less Insecticons." Starscream said.
"Actually, they're plenty of them still around, they last a lot longer than you think." Shockwave explained.
"Oh great!" Soundwave mask-palmed.
As they left the base, they realized it was still be quite a trip to Tyger Pax. Shockwave predicated to get there in two more days. Of course they knew they still had to fight their way past more bounty hunters and not get caught by the Predacons, Insecticons or Thunderwing. Shockwave and Thunderwing had a history. During their childhood years, Shockwave used to be one of Thunderwing's bullies and Thunderwing hated him the most.
"Starscream, think you can fly out further to let us know of any enemies nearbye?" Shockwave asked.
"No problem!" Starscream flew up higher and jetted away nearly making Soundwave lose control.
"WATCH IT!" Soundwave sneered.
Shockwave had installed a enemy tracker in their arms alerting them to a target. So far, nothing to shoot. Starscream had to admit this whole bait job he had wasn't that bad. At least he wasn't wanted. Though like Soundwave he did miss home. As he reaches the edge of Iacon, he could see 3 bounty hunters seemingly harassing two sparklings. Starscream didn't think that was nice. He flew down and landed right in front of the mechs. The two sparklings were amazed.
"HEY! WHY ARE YOU HARASSING THESE SPARKLINGS?" Starscream said.
"WHY DON'T YOU MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS SEEKER!" One of them said.
In response, Starscream fired a rocket from his arm and killed one of them. Then he extended his claws and stabbed them into a second one. Only the one who spoke was left. The sparklings stayed close to Starscream.
"If I were you, I'd leave right now." Starscream warned keeping his claws in front of him.
The hunter looked at his dead friends then back at the seeker. Starscream could tell this mech was hesitating on what to do.
"Hey, if you wanna throw down bring it. I just helped take down the entire Iacon command base so it may not be the right option." Starscream said.
Before either of them could react, something fired, raced past Starscream's head and blasted the mech's head clean off. Starscream and the sparklings jumped.
"Where did that come from?" Starscream asked.
When they turned around, they see Soundwave and Shockwave coming up. Shockwave's gun was smoking from the blast. Soundwave looked down at the sparklings. If he wanted to destroy the planet, he'd be taking sparklings along with it.
"Thank you." The sparklings said excitedly.
"No problem, they won't be bothering you guys again." Soundwave assured.
The sparklings smiled before running off to play. Back with Goldbug, he and the others were back at the HQ getting ready to head out to Tyger Pax. There were many resistance fighters scattered all around this area and hiding in Tyger Pax. Jazz knew his team would be able to help out. Of course, Thunderwing hadn't planned to invade until Soundwave was found. This gave them enough time to regroup with their own armies and formulate a plan to strike. It's better than just simply running and shooting at the military and risk everybody getting killed. Of course, Jazz and his team were unaware that only 3 days remained before Cybertron is either destroyed, or restored back to a civilized state.
"Alright, we will head out to Tyger Pax soon, but a lot of people seeing us could cause some suspicion. So I called Optimus to come pick us up and take us there." Jazz explained and everyone agreed. "I'll try to contact Shockwave about where they are. If any of you see them, contact the rest of us immediately."
"Heh, you actually got Optimus to come all the way here? At least this time he'll make it without us interfering." Thomas chuckled with Kenny and Bloodbath.
"It's all and good fun. He likes the drives." Jazz smirked.
"Oh he'll plot some revenge soon!" Sonny said.
"Let's hope not." Kenny said and Bloodbath nodded.
"Wait, me and Trapper can't fit in a trailer." Blueshot argued.
"Yeah, and we would probably break the floor with our weight." Trapper said.
"Looks like you'll be driving the long way as well!" Jazz said.
"AAAWWWW!" Trapper and Blueshot groaned.
"Guys, me and Sonny have to fly the whole way." Trips complained.
"Oh, well that's true." Blueshot agreed.
Goldbug noticed Jazz tapping his claws together and nervously glancing at him.
"Uh, what's the problem Jazz?" Goldbug asked.
"Remember when I said we were getting in a trailer? Well I meant just Thomas, Kenny and Bloodbath." Jazz said keeping his visor over his optics.
"Wait what? What are you and me supposed to do?" Goldbug asked.
"We were going to head out early. That way your cover can last longer and they won't think you're with the rebels. Plus, in case we run into trouble, you're going to need more than just yourself, then I can guide you to Tyger Pax." Jazz explained.
"Oh, that makes sense, thanks." Goldbug nodded. "Well, I guess I'll see the rest of you guys there."
After Optimus arrived with a trailer and the others left, Jazz and Goldbug headed onto the highway hoping the disguise would keep them safe. Mabye they'd run into Soundwave along the way. During the ride, Goldbug was rather silent.
"What's on ya mind?" Jazz asked.
"I'm just hoping everything goes well." Goldbug sighed.
"Don't worry, Cybertron will be safe from that horrible military soon enough."
"Yeah, but as far as we know...we may only have three days left to live."
"Huh?"
"Soundwave is the decider and he only has three days to decide if he wants the planet gone or saved. I'm worried."
"Uh-oh, mabye I should contact Shockwave fast." Jazz suggested.
At the same time, Shockwave was racing down the strangely empty highway while Soundwave and Starscream flew right above him.
"Shockwave, you think mabye now you can tell where Bee is?"
"I told you, it's for his own protection."
"Again with this? I told you I'm not going to hurt him."
"It's still too big of a risk." Shockwave said.
Suddenly, Soundwave swooped down and knocked Shockwave onto his side. Starscream gasped and turned around as the two transformed.
"WHY DID YOU DO THAT!" Shockwave growled.
"JUST TELL ME DAMN IT! I'M PRETTY SURE HE IS CLOSE BY."
"YOU'RE WANTED SOUNDWAVE! THE BOUNTY HUNTERS PROBABLY COULD GUESS WHAT YOUR FLIGHT MODE IS AND THEM SEEING YOU NEXT TO A YELLOW AND BLACK CAR THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE BUMBLEBEE IS RISKING GETTING HIM IN TROUBLE!"
Starscream tried to intervene.
"Whoever you sent him to could've given him a disguise right?" Starscream asked.
"Who knows, I never told them to!" Shockwave said.
"YOU DIDN'T!" Soundwave was getting angrier.
Shockwave could understand Soundwave getting angry but it was going nowhere fast. Starscream grabbed Soundwave around the waist to pull him away.
"ENOUGH! THAT'S ENOUGH!" Starscream roared at both of them. "THERE'S NO USE FUCKING FIGHTING!"
Soundwave and Shockwave calmed down and sighed knowing Starscream was right.
"I'm sorry Shockwave. I know you're only doing what's right by keeping him fully safe." Soundwave rubbed his own arm.
"No I am sorry, it was illogical for me not to tell Bumblebee's location to you since you're his best friend. Look, he's being held in-"
Shockwave is cut off by Jazz calling him.
"Hey Jazz."
"Dude Shocky, haven't heard from ya lately! How's the assassinating going?"
"We took down the Iacon command center and are on our way to Tyger Pax."
"Hey, so are we. Say uh, is Soundwave with you?"
"Yes why?"
"I have Goldbug with me, Bumblebee's codename by the way."
"Where are you?"
Suddenly, Jazz and Goldbug are seen racing down the highway.
"Just went past ya!"
"BUMBLEBEE!" Soundwave yelled transforming and racing away.
"I see, and now Soundwave is chasing after you."
"You mean that purple jet that getting close to us?"
"Yep!"
Jazz ended the call and he and Goldbug screeched to a halt. Soundwave transformed just as they did and crashed into Goldbug sending them a few feet away rolling into a ball. When they got back up they stared at each other.
"Bumblebee? Is that you?" Soundwave asked.
"Soundwave, you're alive!" Bee/Goldbug gasped.
They quickly hugged each other and ended up falling down. They rolled around happy to be embraced in each other's arms. They were not caring who was watching. Shockwave, Starscream and Jazz walked over laughing. They finally got up embarrased.
"Bumblebee, it's great to see you again. Hey, that's a nice look you got!" Soundwave said taking in the new form.
"Thanks!"
"Wait, what's wrong with your eye?"
"Don't worry, it's to cover my new spy camera optic."
"Oh, well you still look awesome!"
"Yeah, new and improved!" Starscream agreed.
"Starscream? You came along?" Bee said.
"Yeah, this is a job for brave people." Starscream scoffed.
"Where are the others?" Shockwave asked.
"Being delivered to Tyger Pax by Optimus." Jazz informed him.
"Good! We should head out now before we get caught. Starscream, you mind heading further again?"
"No problem!" Starscream transformed and raced off.
"Hey wait, I'll come with you!" Jazz transformed and chased after Starscream.
Shockwave looked back at Goldbug and Soundwave who were still catching up.
"HEY! You two coming?" Shockwave asked.
"Yeah!" Soundwave said as the two best friends transformed.
"Race ya!" Goldbug challenged.
"You're on!" Soundwave said.
Unknown to them, Razorclaw, Rampage, Ransack and Chop Shop were hiding nearbye.
"There he goes!" Rampage said.
"Yeah...but who was that eye patch wearing kid?" Razorclaw asked.
"Don't know, but he must be a friend." Ransack said.
"We better catch up to them!" Chop Shop said.
"Yeah, Soundwave better know what he's doing." Rampage snarled.
To be continued...