A small win in the mines raised the troopers' spirits, but to lift off the pressure from the officers, a much bigger win was needed.

Soundwave dug in into the Iacon base yet again. He had been close! So close... Megatron was out, eager to try his new weapon against the Star Saber. It would be just perfect if his CCO managed to decipher another set of coordinates by the time the warlord got back.

If Megatron doesn't succeed, - Soundwave had all the confidence that Megatron would be victorious, but the Prime was resourceful... He knew better than to underestimate this bot. So, if Megatron doesn't succeed, a new set of coordinates would come in twice as handy.

Soundwave assaulted the keyboard. He was ready to bridge Megaron back any click, but the request never arrived. The steel jet preferred to fly. Soundwave smiled under his mask. Flying was a freedom denied to them for too long. Megatron might rationalize his flying around as a desire to savor resources, but the spy knew he simply liked it.

Soon he registered familiar footsteps vibrate through the floor. He listened in. That was definitely not a loss. Hooray! Soundwave rejoiced silently and doubled his efforts.

In few clicks...

"You should have seen the Prime's face when his precious Star Saber shattered under my blade!" - the warlord sounded like a newb who just won his first fight on the arena. Soundwave didn't turn - with all the surveillance on, he didn't need to turn around to look at his leader. Megatron's field was bright-red, small sparkles of different emotions only making his joy brighter. It was contagious.

Soundwave gave out a soft chuckle /I wish I had seen it, my Lord/.

"Have you made any progress with the base?" - Megatron turned to him right on time to see the last piece of puzzle slide into its spot, revealing another set of coordinates. A grin appeared on his face plates, as the warlord registered his loyal followers cooling fans kick in at his proximity.

"Well done, as usual, Soundwave" - Megatron's left, steely, hand landed on Soundwave's back. He now watched the spy tense and freeze. Soundwave rerouted all his resources to self-control. /Boss, do you want me to disable body sensors?/ - Ravage asked, as technically it was his back under Megatron's palm now.

/Negative/

Megatron raised a brow. He may not be a telepath, but one didn't need to be super-perceptive to recognize that the spy was not OK. It was amusing how he tried to hide his discomfort.

The pause lingered and Megatron removed his palm and turned away. "Let's retrieve the relics before autobots catch up to us..."

Soundwave started the engines and ex-vented carefully. He was most grateful to Knockout for volunteering and driving attention away from him - so grateful, that he'd give him anything, not just the sonic disruptor.

In a matter of clicks the doctor was gone with his weapon and Soundwave set to work, despite Megatron's gaze that he felt all too acute. He wouldn't let himself get distracted.

The spy contemplated for a while if he should indeed deactivate all periphery sensors, leaving only his audials active so that he wouldn't miss an order. He didn't like the numbness that it would bring, but if it was the only way for him to excel at his job and not get bothered by Megatron's field and proximity - maybe a little numbness wasn't a big price to pay.

He cast a sideways glance at the rest of the crew. It didn't look as though anyone noticed anything unusual going on. Soundwave decided to keep this option untill it would be absolutely unavoidable and submerged into the base once again.

Knockout interrupted his work, triumphantly arriving with the relic, just as the next set of coordinates was already at his fingertips. Luckily, it also meant that Megatron's attention shifted from him and Soundwave took this opportunity to hasten up.

"Hmm...it appears identical to the one taken from me by Optimus Prime. ..perhaps, it is a decoy the autobots allowed you to seize as a means of sabotage" - the warlord said, examining the object.

Knockout seemed undisturbed by this distrust "unlikely, my Liege, they battled too desperately for it".

Soundwave brought the next set of coordinates he decoded on screen. He half expected Knockout to be sent to retrieve those as well - and obviously the doctor thought so too, but the medic was put into his place once again and sent off to analyse this mysterious piece of metal. It didn't look like succeeding at this strengthened Knockout's position much.

Before he went, though, Soundwave commed to him /Soundwave to Knockout. Sonic disruptor: not yours. Return it/

"Of course" - murmured the vehicon and set the weapon down onto an empty console as he went.

Soundwave was halfway through decoding the last set of coordinates when Dreadwing returned, battered and unsuccessful. His look was so pityful that Soundwave doubted Megatron's chew-out session would punish him any more that he was already punishing himself. Clearly, the warrior spent too much time hunting defenseless autobot refugees in deep space. Here, on Earth, nearly half of their missions went unsuccessful - no doubt, this was Prime's and the Matrix's influence. Probability scales seemed to be tipped into autobot's favor here and one had to adjust to these conditions to start winning again. Here, everything had to be done with overkill perspective. Soundwave spared Dreadwing a glance. Maybe he should have a chat with him about that. There was no particular fondness between them, but Dreadwing was a decent SIC and not so annoying as Starcream had been - and a good SIC was rare to come by... given, that he proves himself after today's fiasco.

The last set of coordinates was decoded, but it hadn't been coordinates. The three of them watched the pixels dance and form a profile image. "Latest Prime recruit?!" - Megatron exclaimed, moving closer to stand right behind Soundwave's back. /Laserbeak. New objective: Smokescreen/ - and Soundwave passed the drone the profile files and turned to show her recon feed on his vizor. The warlord was once again invading his personal space and Soundwave felt his systems heat up from constantly overruling his own reactions, but Soundwave managed, knowing that the visual feed Laserbeak sent was the center of attention now, not the spy himself. However, every nanoclick of Megatron's EMF invading his made his temperature climb a fraction of degree up. A quick calculation told him in two clicks he'd have no choice than to switch the servo engines off again.

Luckily, the target locked on screen before that.

/Soundwave to Megatron. Query: permit operation "Hit and run"?/

"By all means" - nodded the warlord and Soundwave opened a groundbridge right away, pausing only to snatch his disruptor from a console where the doctor left it. Laserbeak opened fire.

Primus, he needed to get away from the bridge! With cool wind and finally some action, Soundwave chassis thermometers returned to the blue zone almost instantly. The kid was an easy target.

The autobots were too slow. And the look on Prime's face was priceless indeed.

Soundwave proved superior once again.

The navy mech stepped through the Vortex, dragging the passed out autobot buy the arm. With a rush twist of his torso, the spy trew Smokescreen on the floor in front of the warlord. Megatron's optic flashed, but he didn't comment on it, turning to Knockout "Take care of our prisoner, doctor and find me the relic!"

Knockout shocked the prisoner with his electric rod to insure he wouldn't online just yet and commanded a couple of nearest troopers to transport the autobot to the interrogation room.

"Soundwave, I trust, Laserbeak continues searching for autobot's base?"

Soundwave hesitated: /Soundwave to Megatron: Autobot base location narrowed down to three possible spots. Laserbeak needs a refill. Recon: resume after refill/

Megatron nodded: "Excellent. Now I suggest you put your weapon back into the vault and enjoy your off-shift. Dreadwing will take over from here."

Soundwave nodded after a split-click hesitation. It was his off-shift indeed, but Megatron never felt the need to talk about it before. The spy bowed slightly and took his leave.

As he was walking through the corridors to the vault, Ravage spoke up /Boss, I have to bring up the overheat problem/

/Must you?/ - Soundwave asked in return. He had no wish to discuss it.

/Ensuring host physical integrity:my top priority. Overheat: potential threat. Alerting host:mandatory/ - yeah, that was a downside of recalibrating Ravage. Whatever delicacy the cat posessed had been gone now.

/Consider myself alerted/

/I also must indicate that.../

Footstep behind interrupted the cat, much to Soundwave's relief. Megatron caught up with him and slowed down matching the spy's relaxed pace.

Soundwave cast a glance at his field: content, a little curious, a couple of confused spots, some daring in the center... The warlord was carrying the Dark Star Saber, his intention to put the weapon to safekeeping obvious. The chance of this being a coincidence less than 5%. Apparently, there was something Megatron wished to talk about without witnesses.

Soundwave felt his spark tighten. He had a pretty clear idea what was on today's agenda. Megatron was ready to raise the stakes. Normally, Soundwave admired that in his superior. Not now though.

In silence they reached the vault.

"Switch off the cams" - Megatron said as he walked in past his CCO. Soundwave obeyed and they both watched the cams retract to the ceiling. Soundwave's mind was racing, calculating chances. So far, nothing came out solid.

Megatron proceeded with locking up the weapon and Soundwave followed his example with his sonic disruptor. When the warlord turned from the Saber and made no move to walk out, Soundwave stopped as well.

"You have performed admirably today" - the warlord said, his voice deep and confident as ever. Soundwave tilted his helm forward, acknowledging the praise. /Autobots: inferior/. "Speak up, will you?" - Megatron responded immediately, "I don't want this conversation to land in commlink"

Soundwave nodded. He was desperately trying to come up with an escape plan.

Megatron took a couple of steps to him and stopped just outside reach - close enough to brush the field against Soundwave's, but far enough not to invade it.

"I said, I would turn a blind eye toward your motivational issues if you keep it under control. Apparently, it is affecting you and your duties"

"You have performed admirably today" - Soundwave played back his own voice.

"Yes, that you did. But you can't always suppress it. This... unfinished business is becoming a hindrance. How can you function if you clamp down, when I come too close?" As if to prove his point, Megatron took a step forward and stretched his servo toward the spy's chest. The low hum of Soundwave's engines ceased immediately, even before the warlord's talon touched the metal of the spy's armor. Which it didn't. Soundwave stayed very still.

"There is no shame in asking for what you want." - Megatron said "We might as well do it and get over it. No big deal."

Soundwave didn't dare to believe his audials. Did Megatron just imply he would submit to his TIC? Chances of that to ever happen were solid zero. Soundwave checked them again. Yes, solid zero. And the spy couldn't blame him. Put in Megatron's place he too would never show this kind of vulnerability to anyone.

Adding to his confusion, Megatron's EMF showing all and any colors but one that would indicate his desire. Judging by what he saw, it was a cold calculation rather than anything emotional behind his superior's offer.

Regardless the motives, if he was really offering what Soundwave didn't dare to believe he was offering... Still, Soundwave had to be sure as well as warn Megatron ahead: "Rogue code risk: too high" - he said.

Megatron made another step toward him and was now standing right in front of the spy, making the latter tilt his helm up to keep optic contact. "I find it hard to believe that a mech of your psychic abilities has no means of protecting his systems."

His systems. Soundwave's systems. That was it. Megatron didn't offer himself for receiving, he simply disregarded Soundwave's earlier addmittance that swapping him some was had been what the spy desired all along.
Why would he heed that indeed? Chances that Megatron would accept his code were always a solid zero.

Primus knew, Soundwave wanted to say "yes" more than he ever wanted anything in his existence (and that including snuffing the Traitor's spark right after he saw how deeply Orion's betrayal hurt his leader). But to let Megatron know... he couldn't. Just couldn't. The navy mech lowered his head in a jerky motion and ex-vented, desperately trying to calm down.

Megatron gave him a split click before pressing his palm to the navy chest plate and asking "So what do you say?"

Soundwave's spark was beating wildly in the spark chamber, eager to get closer to the object of its desire, and the spy switched off his sensors. Everything got much clearer the very instant. Soundwave raised his helm to look at Megatron again: "No." - he said, stepping back.

Megatron rose a brow ridge. Was that part of a game his spy played? It certainly did hook him up a little. "What if I order you to?" - the warlord asked in what was meant to be low and seductive voice.

Immediately the atmosphere in the vault shifted. Lights seemed to grow dimmer and Soundwave taller, though he barely moved. Megatron's mind was heavy and racing, heavy buzz invading his audials as he suddenly realised he was talking to the second most dangerous decepticon out there after himself. Guessing this was the telepath lashing out on him, Megatron held his ground and refused to be intimidated by the oppressing presence.

Soundwave looked ready for a fight. Apparently, he had assumed a wrong approach. For half a click neither moved, then the TIC said, his voice dry and crisp: "Query: am I dismissed?"

Megatron nodded and watched his spy walk to the door only to turn back in few steps. Megatron's face plates shifted into a smirk. Did he change his mind already?

"You don't need to give me any false hopes, Megatron. I will stand by your side regardless" - Soundwave used his own voice for a change and Megatron nodded "noted". The spy walked out.

The warlord stared at the closed door for a while. Had his TIC always been so ridiculously stubborn? It looked like he had miscalculated something.

As Soundwave reached his chamber, the first thing he did was let Ravage out. The cat flooded their link with questions, but Soundwave shut off and said aloud: "I want to cleanse myself. In silence. Whatever you have to say will have to wait".

The technimal lyed down on the floor - a picture of patience and compliance. Soundwave gave him a nod and stepped into the wash rack. Re-activated sensors were itchy and cleaner felt soothing.

When he stepped out of the rack he found both his symbionts sitting head-to-head, apparently sharing info through direct link. Great.

He restored the links to them.

/SOUNDWAVE WHY HAVE YOU REFUSED? YOU WANTED IT!/ - the combined query seemed deafening.

/No. Not this. Not like this/ - Soundwave probably should put them into place but he was too exhausted to do it now.

/You're longing for Primus knows how long, you're suffering, you rape and kill for the sake of your hurt feelings, and when he finally comes around and is ready to reciprocate, you go all high moral?!/

/We are not discussing my personal life/ -Soundwave responded, his transmission strained.

/It's not your personal life/ - Ravage commed back - /it affects us all. I compared your reaction to my pre-Regulon record and you're losing it. You're heating up 18% faster and it takes you 16% longer to cool down. And sorry, but it is my duty to bring that up!/

Soundwave felt the rage swell up /I've said my word. You should desist/ - his transmission was deceptively quiet, and probably it had been a warning, but Ravage either missed it or didn't care: /It's not fair! Had Rumble been here, he'd tell you that since it influences us all we all get a say in this matter../

/WELL, RUMBLE IS NOT HERE! AND FRENZY IS NOT HERE! Because a certain cat couldn't follow the battle protocol and let them die!/

Ravage's optics went round as he stared at his creator. It hurt so much that for a nanoclick he expected his spark to burst. Then he bolted out of the door.

/Ravage, I'm sorry! I don't really blame you!/ - Soundwave commed after him, immediately regretting his words, but the cat was not responding. Soundwave sat on the berth and sank his head into his servos. His life was such a mess!

/Wow... that was harsh/ - Laserbeak commed calmly. Soundwave raised his head to look at her then shut off her link.

"Refill, recharge, be back on recon duty in five orns" - he said before falling visor down into the berth. He was so tired of it all. /Ravage, I am sorry. I have no reason to believe they would survive if you had reached them in time. Have a shift off to yourself, if you need, but come back, OK?/

There was no answer, but Soundwave was sure Ravage was still in the link, listening. He was already drifting off into recharge when a soft "ok" reached him.