Chapter VI officially lost the title 'Longest Chapter Ever'. Though after much thought and such, this turned out like this, and I'm really, very sorry for the long wait. Fortunately, exam period is over for this semester, and I'll try to be quicker next time. And I sincerely hope there'll be no glitches with this chapter, ffnet's not loving me at the moment...

Hope you enjoy. :)

VII.

"A mechanoid?" the young dean frowned and got up from the table, facing his intern, "Why did you bring it here, Flamewar?"

"With respect, Dean Shockwave," Ravage stepped forward, earning a surprised glance from the geneticist, "I asked her to bring me to you, for I have a message for you."

Shockwave hummed and now turned fully to the cassette, "I see. You can transform back then and tell me who sent you. I assume this feline body is just your alternate mode."

"Not exactly." Ravage allowed a mild smirk to his snout, "This is my alternate mode."

Ravage remembered the last glimpse he had of the two shocked faces as he transformed and inserted himself into the dean's computer. He did nothing but display the message Megatron had given them specifically to Shockwave. That part of his mission, getting into the Academy, went quite smoothly. Intern Flamewar found him at the entrance of the large building, and Ravage did not have to persuade her much to let him in to the dean.

Mechanoids were nowadays seldom used as messengers, but it was not unheard of - Ravage himself had worked as one once, too. Mechanoids could be trained, but he was a cassette, intelligent enough to understand everything without training. If one didn't want traces of a data transmission on their computer, a mechanoid could be ordered to delete any data after its job was done. Therefore, Ravage wasn't suspicious.

He was quiet as they walked back to the arena with Rumble. His brother, however, was probably even more excited than before they departed, a smug grin stretched over his face that nothing could wipe off. He kept talking about Iacon and the Grand Imperium and the three Seekers all the way, but now he thankfully stopped and Ravage could concentrate on his thoughts again.

"...our chance, Shockwave!" the hushed voice of a femme was the first thing Ravage heard when he detached himself from the computer's system and transformed back to his robot mode. Flamewar's optics shone brightly, her expression livid even though she silenced herself at the cassette's sight. On the other hand, Shockwave's face was unreadable. He, for a klick, just starred in space, then with a flash of light, his optics bore into Ravage's.

"Your master is one brave mech." he stood straight, "Or an imbecile. The Academy is under direct supervision by the Council of Tarn that in turn reports to our senator, Blitzwing to the Grand Imperium. Yet this mech offers me robots as subjects to continue the experiment... my mentor's experiment that had been terminated a long time ago. Why should I risk so much?"

Ravage did not move and considered the answer for a nanoklick before speaking, "We are all taking huge risks. But there is no victory without risk, Dean Shockwave." he repeated his creator's words that used to sway him towards his ultimate decision, "You were a follower of Jhiaxus, his ideas–"

"He was my friend." Shockwave growled.

"Then..." Ravage's tone grew quieter, careful, "let us make this change, and no more friends shall be lost to a system that takes freedom under strict supervision where robots cannot decide or speak what they want. My master will keep his promise... and we will support you, however you choose."

"Hey, Rav! Ravage! Hey, ya listening?" Rumble was in his face now, Ravage pushed him away with a paw.

::No, I wasn't listening because I did what normal robots call "thinking".::

Rumble leant back with a frown, "Harsh. And what was this enormous thinking about?"

Ravage turned back ahead, noting with relief that the arena was in sight now. Strange how in a few decacycles he had come to consider this place home and safety, ::Just about Tarn. The dean.:: with a glint of mischief, he added, ::And how you managed to accomplish your mission with such mastery, lil' bro'.::

"Hey!" Rumble bumped into him and Ravage bumped back with a chuckle, "I was a professional. They ate from my hand!"

::No need to exaggerate.:: the feline rolled his optics but there was a ghost of a smile at the corner of his lips. He knew the twins had big mouths that more often than not landed them in painful situations, but sometimes it served them well; Ravage knew they had a way of talking themselves out of the trouble they caused, that much credit he had to give them. However, nowadays, the more and more time they spent living on the streets the twins - and they all, really - tended to solve conflicts with fists rather than words. As such, it was a pleasant surprise that Rumble still managed to use his big mouth to his advantage.

"Everything inserted into a computer will leave its signature behind." Shockwave turned back to Ravage from the screen, "One thing is for sure; this message is from Kaon, and you are from Stanix. But I cannot find a computer ID."

"As you said," Ravage gave a nod, "there is much at risk. My master realizes data cannot be exchanged freely under these circumstances, but there is no question to the sincerity of his words. He will keep his promise to you."

"How would I know for sure?" The dean's tone wasn't as dry as it used to be. A twinge of hope shone through, maybe unwittingly, but it was there. A fragment of emotion that he did not manage to hide. Until then, the young scientist seemed silent, coldly calm, like Soundwave himself sometimes; however, with Shockwave, it was something that made Ravage uncomfortable, a strange emptiness that he couldn't identify. Now he could see a part of it evaporate from the mech's field and in turn, it made him more relaxed. More confident in what to say.

"You wouldn't." the cassette answered and tilted his head to the side, "That is why, maybe... you should break out of the rules and give it a chance."

"...even the ventilation shafts had sensors, just how paranoid can they–... Raaavaaage!"

::What?!::

At that moment, he really wanted to wipe the smirk off Rumble's face, "Bet you'd have bumped head first into the wall in all that daydreamin'. Anyway, we're here... just in case ya haven't noticed."

The entrance to the arena slipped open before them and the two made their way inside. Rumble remained blissfully silent as they strode along the corridors and finally arrived at Onslaught's office. The arena's director was waiting for them, alongside Megatron and Crasher. Soundwave was also there, sitting by the computer terminal, Frenzy by his side and Laserbeak on his shoulder. Their creator left his visor down still, but the calm expression revealed some of his relief upon their arrival while Crasher simply raised an optical ridge in amusement seeing Rumble's satisfied grin, as if she was already expecting this cocky demeanor.

"Well done." Master Onslaught hummed, turning back to Megatron, "I see you won't need my tactical input much longer."

"Every opinion is valuable." the seasoned gladiator took a step forward, unable to repress an amused tilt of his lips, "You have certainly proved yourselves. Now, I assume, we can only wait for the responses."

"My lord," Crasher spoke up, tone just as light as the two mechs' in the relief of a successful mission, "I believe my presence isn't required any longer–"

"Wait!"

Ravage turned to Rumble sharply when he began searching in his subspace and hissed at him, ::Not here, you idiot!::, however, his brother already raised his prize high up in the air, "Look what I got!"

"Goodies?" Frenzy asked, optics wide in surprise and he gasped softly at the sight of the energon goodies in his twin's hands. It had been eons since the last time they had the opportunity to put their hands on a little sweets, Frenzy could hardly believe the small, glowing sticks were really what he thought they were.

"I do not recall giving you credits for this." Soundwave crossed his arms over his chest compartment. His creation looked up at him sheepishly and shrugged.

"That's 'cause... you didn't?"

"You stole them." Soundwave sighed. They used to beg or busk from time to time for credits back in Stanix, the first time Rumble - dragging Ravage and later Frenzy and Laserbeak along, too - went as far as stealing was when they were in desperate need of energon. While Soundwave forbade them doing so, even he made exceptions to the rule if they had to get something, mostly energon, quickly with no time to beg for credits and waiting to be able to gather as much as they needed. Their only possession back then was a thermal blanket Ravage had stolen for Frenzy. This, of course, didn't help Soundwave's overall worry for them out there, but they never, ever got caught, which, despite his objections, left him feeling a little proud of his creations.

The love for the challenge of sneaking into places - be it through paths of data or hidden passages - must have been a family trait. Soundwave managed to keep his features under control as he shifted his gaze to Ravage, raising an optical ridge in expectation, and the feline huffed.

::Don't give me that look, it was his idea.:: then, with a shrug, he added, ::I just... assisted.::

The dual-spark did not comment on that, and meanwhile, Rumble had given everyone a stick and was now holding two up for Soundwave, a small, apologetic grin on his lips. Soundwave looked around to see Frenzy cheerfully chew on his share while the others were more subdued and he couldn't help notice Megatron was holding back a chuckle at the situation. Soundwave could feel the mech was, in fact, quite fascinated by the cassettes' abilities and that made pride swell up in him; and when Laserbeak looked at him with pleading optics, it was enough to break his defense.

He gave one stick to the flyer, smiling softly at the delighted little squeak Laserbeak gave him and then he took a bite, too. The faint yet sweet goodie melted on his glossa, a shiver ran down his struts at the light charge it left on his sensors. It was his favourite. Soundwave shot a warning glance at Rumble, but for the moment, he let himself relax into that forgotten taste of his old life with his fellows in a new beginning.

"Starscream..."

Said Seeker rolled his optics at the familiar tone his trine mate was using. However, unfazed, Thundercracker continued, "I know you are bored and that makes you itchy, but it doesn't mean you have to jump–"

"Okay," Starscream turned fully to his advisor and put his hands on his hips, "let's pretend we never had this conversation before, thus I tell you one last time; it has nothing to do with boredom. This could change much, so much more than just a distraction from dull cycles. It is finally for real. This mech knew things only a few other could have known, and he's been preparing. Something is happening... something is going to happen, and I want to know what it is."

"Just because he aimed his speech at you–"

"The writings weren't aimed at me." Starscream interrupted him again, "And their core contents did not change, which means it is not something this mech just makes up. You know I kept his writings, and he seems to be really determined... and clever, too, seeing the Senate still doesn't know who he could be. We could use that, Thundercracker... Do you know how long I've been waiting for this?"

"To meet him, you mean?" now it was Thundercracker's turn to cross his arms over his cockpit, "Is it really this colossal change it promises or the mech himself?"

"I–"

"I think both." added a third voice with a teasing tone and the two flyers looked to the side at their trine mate. Skywarp leant to the wall leisurely, but stood straight when he saw Starscream's scowl and strode over to them quickly, wrapping his arms around both their shoulders, "Do you want to argue more or shall we go already?"

For once, Starscream's scowl morphed into a smirk as he turned back to Thundercracker, "See? Your trine mate is enthusiastic, why can't you be?"

The blue Seeker rolled his optics, but did not move away from the other's friendly embrace, "He's always enthusiastic when he gets to spend time outside our office."

"And the tower." Skywarp grinned absently, "And I'm curious about Kaon, so what are we waiting for? You two are making things way too complicated."

He finally let go of them and extended his hands for the both of them. He already imprinted the coordinates they had been given in the message into his processor and sent the command to activate his generator to warp to the exact location where this mech promised they could meet. Seeing the numbers within the coordinates, the place was underground - Skywarp had seen many number combinations to now which led to which kind of locations.

That was something that unnerved them at first, but curiosity won them over in the end. Well... most of them. Thundercracker hesitated still, but when Skywarp tried to poke at him in their trine bond, all he found was some faint, bad feeling that maybe even Thundercracker himself couldn't explain. The blue Seeker had always been the steady and mature member of their trine, the one who kept them out of trouble, who had that special ability to calm down an approaching storm on Starscream's part most of the time - seeing his stance waver was never a good sign. But maybe it was just some fear of the unknown he didn't want them to know about.

Skywarp squeezed his hand slightly and while Thundercracker did not meet his optics, his frown smoothed out and he brushed his EM field slightly to the teleporter's in silent gratitude for his reassurance. Taking only a nanoklick, Skywarp looked around the faces of his trine mates with an encouraging smile before asking, "Are you ready?"

"Not a word to anyone about this." Starscream murmured one last time and a grin spread out on Skywarp's faceplate. It would be their little secret adventure, only theirs - something he had been waiting for since the formation of their trine.

"Ah, you don't yet know each other."

Soundwave resisted the urge to cock his head to the side when he came face to face with the flyer Megatron just greeted. The mech was as tall as him, his frame - midsection painted in crimson, limbs golden and helm a silvery color - no more slender than a grounder's and his shoulder plates broad, only the pointed rotors on his back told about his true mode. The mech lifted his visor, revealing similarly fire-red optics as Megatron's and with an upbeat smile and fluent move he extended a hand to Soundwave.

"Vortex from the Tagan Techsystems, at your service."

Soundwave briefly touched his hand to his, giving the mech a nod in greeting. Megatron had mentioned two mechs whom he knew back from when he was a miner at Tagan Heights, they manufactured the tools they used at the mines, among other things - now these mechs smuggled them all the weapons Cliffjumper had since shown him, big and small, of the latest technologies. A quick scan of Vortex's mind revealed that he worked at the ballistic research laboratory of the Techsystems, testing weapons and doing transport at times - a volatile and eager mech who had been swayed easily by the idea of an upcoming rebellion. He was in the smuggling and fights for the adventure, and now that he met them, it seemed confirmed for Soundwave.

The other mech looked back at him smileless, he was much quieter than his partner, emotions withheld, observant, like him. Another flyer with vibrant colors that stood in contrast to his calmer attitude, he silently reached out his hand, palm upwards, for Soundwave. Skystalker, one of the designers and engineers, the telepath knew enough after the momentary touch of the official greeting.

The dual-spark took a step back and both mechs turned to Megatron, their attention no longer aimed at him in the slightest, and that was how he preferred it. Megatron had tasked him with something he had already practiced every time he met a new robot; check out every mind of all robots at the arena and of those he had yet to meet, see who was serious about their intentions and who wasn't. It was perfectly alright for him, Soundwave felt for the first time that he could put his ability to good use.

Soon Cliffjumper and another gladiator named Quake - a former miner who used to work with Megatron - joined their conversation about the transportation and storage of the new supply and Soundwave turned to walk back to the central computer of their underground meeting hall when he and the other robots present received the shock of their lives.

It was so sudden, Soundwave at first did not even comprehend what happened; there was a purple flash and then three familiar flyers stood in its wake. While Soundwave knew about the special ability of the Vosian senator's trine mate and he somewhat expected their appearance - they had given them the coordinates, after all -, he had never witnessed a teleportation sequence from up close.

The next thing he knew, a mech shouted out, clicks and whines sounded as guns got ready and trained on the Seekers. Fright caused bursts of colors in the many robots' minds and uproars in his own, but Soundwave managed to quell it to background noise and quiet it to murmurs. Not a nanoklick later Megatron stood between them with a stern look on his face.

"Stand down, mechs." the rich voice rose above the others, "Blackout, Lugnut, lower your weapons. The senator and his partners are... our guests."

The surroundings mechs slowly deactivated their weapons as did the purple Seeker who shielded his trine mates the moment the massive grounders moved to attack. Soundwave now turned his whole body to them, his observant optics stayed on the Vosians as the two mechs took a step back, with Lugnut bowing slightly mumbling a "Yes, my lord." under his breath.

Hearing that, the curve of Senator Starscream's optical ridge lifted and the start of an amused smirk tilted the side of his lipplates upwards as he let his optics roam over the grey gladiator before him, "Lord? May I ask upon what right you call yourself that, Megatron?"

Now Megatron turned his full attention to the younger mech he had only seen on datapads before. Perhaps unintentionally, Soundwave decided as he stepped up next to him, his optics wandered down and up again on the bright, lithe frame of the Seeker that the senator did not seem to mind, on the contrary; he even straightened himself ever so slightly, crimson optics never leaving the grounder before them. Megatron's features were now smooth as he took a step forward to the tri-color flyer standing in the middle.

"By the loyalty and devotion of my fellows, senator." he replied to the question posed at him, "I see you have... consulted with Advisor Contrail before coming to see me."

"One has to be ready for everything." Starscream said, regarding Megatron's extended hand before accepting his greeting. His optics ran around the place, the robots who were glancing in their direction curiously or suspiciously, none of them had ever seen a Seeker before or never met a noble - confusion and hatred ruled their thoughts that they suppressed for now, and Starscream's optics finally settled on the telepath.

"This is my friend and advisor, Soundwave." Megatron gestured to the other gladiator and Soundwave finally retracted his visor and offered a nod to the trine of Seekers, "I think we should move to a more secluded area to talk."

And just as they turned to walk across the hall, Soundwave felt his internal comm. coming to life with the champion's voice, ::Well?::

::I haven't detected any monitoring devices or ill intentions. However, what they have seen so far strengthened their curiosity. Stirred awe in them. They're going to listen to you.:: After a nanoklick, he added, ::The senator wants this to be their secret, so they won't... do not intent to speak about this to anybody.::

"Oh... you're here, too?" they turned around hearing Skywarp's voice, "And there are two of you. Joy."

Soundwave followed his gaze that settled on the computer - or more precisely, the four mini-cons sitting together by it who, until then, were categorizing datapads for him but now were starring at them.

"Hey," Rumble raised up a hand seeing the trio of flyers, "my favourite Seeker!"

"Ah," Starscream murmured, turning to Megatron again, "your messenger."

"They are my creations." Soundwave spoke up quietly, "I apologize for any inappropriate behavior on my son's part."

"Well..." the senator graced his optics upon the scowling twin and his siblings before returning it to the dual-spark, "he did manage to get us here, so it may be forgiven this one time." he pushed on the last three words that still made Rumble shiver. One look from their creator told them not to follow this time and they retreated without a word, but not before the two purple mechs exchanged glances, Skywarp thrust two digits towards his optics and then back at Rumble as the door slid shut behind them, closing them away.

Starscream looked around the much smaller room, adjusting his optics to the dimmer light. He fought down a shiver as a flicker of claustrophobia urged his tendons and cables to tighten, to get out of there and he could tell his trine mates were feeling the same, but spending stellar cycles in Iacon among the grounders, in their enclosed buildings had given them enough practice to ignore it and concentrate on more important things. He thus turned his attention back to the much more robust gladiator before him who held his optics prisoned in his own.

"Impressive what you have gathered here, Megatron." it was Starscream who spoke first and broke the silence, "And out of nothing, I presume."

Megatron hummed, his stance seemed relaxed but Soundwave could feel he was still tense inside, "One robot alone means nothing. However, when many are forged together by a common goal... that is a force to be reckoned with. I believe our intentions are clear to you."

Starscream crossed his arms over his chest, just below his turbines and tilted his head with the slightest move to the side, "The mini-con, Rumble, described you as revolutionary. I can see that you are... more educated than what I expected from an individual like you. But how far does it really go? Do you know the difference between rebellion and revolution at all? Civil resistance... freedom fighters... rebels or terrorists? Which are you?"

Soundwave felt a smile tug at the corner of Megatron's lipplates and he decided not to interfere. He was just as curious as the other two Seekers behind the senator as to how this meeting would turn out - seeing how the two mechs were measuring each other like fighters before they strike. Starscream started a battle of words, a battle he had fought many times, but Megatron seemed ready to take on this different kind of combat.

"We are, I can safely say, neither at this point." he replied smoothly, "What we become, however, just partly depends on us. The next step would be taken shortly... the question is, what step you will take."

"In this game of yours? It wouldn't be wise to take a step at all until one knows the rules of the game, now, would it?"

"That is why you're here - to know the rules. Isn't it?" Megatron took a step further and Starscream's expression hardened, "This is what I invited you to, and by coming here to meet me - apparently, for the sole purpose of seeing and learning more about our plans - it seems you accepted."

"I accepted nothing." Starscream raised up an optical ridge, "And I would be glad to see exactly what you have invited us to, and then you may expect an answer, gladiator. So? Would you mind telling me about it?"

Soundwave watched Megatron study the Seeker, the way his features changed with his emotions, delicately forced along with his body language for subtle manipulation into making his opponent believe he was superior in everything above him - but it was clear to Soundwave that Starscream felt slightly intimidated next to the seasoned gladiator, a pit fighter who was stronger than him and his presence more dominant. It was a stubborn pride that did not allow him to relax for even a nanoklick and Soundwave found himself admiring the senator for that.

"We want... to make a change." Megatron worded his sentences carefully, his voice never wavered at the senator's piercing gaze, "The change what our governments refuse to make. What those who should do it cannot make. Order has turned upside down, and strength, the people's strength, our strength is being crushed because someone said we belong here. That if we don't follow the rules a few robots had established under the false name of democracy, then we are against society. Society cannot be constructed by a small group of robots, but by the people society consists of.

But we won't be heard if they refuse to hear us. It is true to the scientific world as well, isn't it, senator? You need to be careful what you say." Starscream's optics narrowed, and Megatron continued, "Because not everything you say is agreeable to the rulers... those who should serve us, not the other way around. I hope I managed to sum it up to you... of course the circumstances are much more complicated. I offer you a place in it, to break out of the rules that are forced upon you as well. You can be part of this... or you can go back and watch them vote down everything you say. The decision is yours."

Silence settled and grew heavier by the moment as Senator Starscream stood motionlessly in front of the champion gladiator, surprise evident on his faceplates. Soundwave watched him closely, all his sensors were trained on the tri-color Seeker to detect the tiniest of charges that ran through his circuits, anything he might have felt or thought. He could see Starscream was trying to quash a slight peak of frustration at being spoken to like that by this lowly grounder and awe at the courage of the grey mech, the curiosity of what else he has to say, to just listen...

Instead, he let out an amused huff and put his hands on his waist, standing straight once again, "You're a manipulative slagger, that's for sure." after a klick, he went on, "And I see you practiced some magnificent speeches, but that's not everything. I can tell you it isn't." he leant closer, voice lowered to a growl, "If the Senate discovers this, they will obliterate you without a second thought. What you pose here is a threat to our delicate system. A promise for danger, certain death."

For the first time, Starscream averted his gaze from Megatron and walked a small circle in the room. His trine mates watched him intensely. The blue one - Thundercracker, Soundwave knew, the senator's Right Wing - wore a tiny frown while the purple Seeker, the teleporter Skywarp's optics shone bright against his smooth, silvery face, casting a fiery glow on his features, thrill at the prospects of what had been said rising in him. Soundwave knew they were communicating via their internal comm. links, but decided not to listen to it this time, he waited with Megatron beside him for Starscream to collect his thoughts.

It was a sharp movement when Starscream finally turned back to Megatron, optics flashing in brilliant red before speaking up again, "What do you want to do?"

"I'll give the hopeless something to fight for."

Another huff, "You speak of ideals only... the real world is far from that." Starscream murmured.

"I am aware."

"What makes you think you can do it?"

"Not me," Megatron's voice was a low rumble, "us. Us, who are strong enough to do it. I'm sure you have met many robots, many different ones. You know what we would be capable of. Some just go with the flow... while others can bend it... Which would you like to be, senator?"

Narrowing of the optics, and a measured smirk on the dark lipplates, the answer came quickly, "I'm here, aren't I?"

Megatron gave a nod, "This location will not change, unless necessary... but if I can expect further visits from you, it would be beneficial to know when to expect you - just to avoid my gladiators almost shooting you out of shock. May I?"

With a tilt of his chin, the senator replied, "You may."

The exchange of comm. frequencies was done in a few klicks, and, Soundwave noted, Starscream felt a bit calmer than during their conversation with Megatron. The promise of return satisfied him for the moment, his curiosity and want for a ruse out of the monotone rounds of having to shut his vocalizer when the others voted him down now somewhat sated. But of course, he would want more - he would need more. And as of now, Soundwave told Megatron through their comm., they could trust the senator and his trine without consequences.

"I believe I need not tell you what you saw here must remain between us."

Starscream actually laughed at that, "You need not tell. Why, you think I want to be associated with the likes of you? Don't worry, Megatron. This is our secret." he said it casually, looking around the room one last time before his gaze returned to the gladiator, "One more condition. I want to know everything. You promised me a part in it... so you better not leave me out of anything. I hope I was clear."

"Crystal clear, senator." Megatron's lipplates tilted in amusement and he offered his hand once again for a goodbye; there was no hesitation this time as Starscream accepted it before going back to his trine mates. All three flyers cast one last glance at the two grounders before disappearing in the same flash of purple they came with, and in their place stood nothing.

The room was quiet.

"What do you think?"

"He's definitely the most beautiful mech I've ever laid optics on." Soundwave turned to the side to be face-to-face with the other gladiator, "You impressed him. His Left Wing, Skywarp - the one who had teleported them here - grew steadily excited while you talked, while I can feel a little caution in their trine mate, Thundercracker. However, Starscream has great influence on them. In the end, he will decide what they do. And now that he is still amazed by it all, he was sincere about wanting to be part of the plans."

"And what if this amazement fades? What if he decides he had seen enough?"

It was one of those rare moments that Soundwave allowed the tiniest of smirks onto his face as he answered, "It's not only your words that impressed him, but you as well. Right now, you're a mystery to him - he will want to solve how a low-caste energon miner like you could come up with all you have told him. He is curious. He will come back."

"Well... at least that will keep him close." Megatron let his gaze wander to the place where the three Seekers stood not a breem ago, "I can't decide yet what to think, now that I met him."

"You're already having doubts about your decision to bring him in?"

"No." Megatron replied, his optics meeting Soundwave's golden ones, "Not yet." after a moment, he added, "I guess I have just as much thinking to do as him."

Soundwave nodded and they both turned to leave the room. He finally opened his bond to his creations, no longer having to concentrate on the minds of the Seekers and let his own reach out to them. He frowned at what he felt and hurried out to the hall, to the computer where he had left the siblings and his chest tightened slightly when he saw Flatline crouch by the terminal, his creations around him. Each of them looked up when they heard him coming and Rumble and Ravage stood aside to let him kneel down next to Frenzy. The mini-mech was sitting with his back against the wall, optics dim and exhaustion was pouring from his EM field.

"What happened?"

Flatline disconnected the thin tube from Frenzy's chest and deactivated the small machine Soundwave didn't know the use of before he answered, "The right ascending array, one of the circuitry arrays that feeds directly to the central processor from the spark chamber wasn't carrying enough charge. It seems to be a lapse, and with some help, he regained the energy."

"Jus' got a little dizzy." Frenzy mumbled, sitting up already.

"Yes, and a little passed out." Flatline raised an optical ridge, "No roughhousing today, my mech. Straight to your room and have a long recharge."

Soundwave summoned the other three into his chest compartment before helping his sick creation to his pedes, Frenzy seemed well enough to walk. He excused himself to escort him back to their quarters before he would go back to work - he was organizing the arena's systems, trying to gather all the data and categorize them when first the Tagan mechs and then the Seekers came. Megatron watched them go after reassuring his fellow gladiators that the senator and his trine's visit meant no harm to them; by that time, Cliffjumper and Vortex also took care of the new supply and it would soon be tried out by the fighters. The hall calmed down somewhat again.

"Flatline..." Megatron addressed the trauma surgeon after Soundwave and Frenzy were gone, "what exactly is wrong him?"

The arena's chief physician took a great sigh before answering, "Have you heard about Rossum's Trinity?" seeing Megatron nod, Flatline continued, "Well, good ol' Rossum made a little mistake; he said it was the spark, central processor and the T-cog that are the vital components of a Cybertronian's body. He was right in that... serious injuries or offlining of the trans-cog can cause system-wide shock and that can even be fatal, but one can live without it. The fuel pump would be the third component of that rule, those three - the processor, fuel pump and T-cog - are in direct contact with the spark chamber, special circuit arrays lead to them that carry the spark's energy."

"I thought the spark's energy spreads homogeneously throughout our bodies," Megatron frowned, "not via circuits. That causes our EM fields, doesn't it? Unique like our sparks' energy signatures."

"It does, but these organs get an extra charge through the arrays because of their importance." Flatline nodded, "Now, Frenzy has Rossum's disease, it had been named after him because the trinity components are the main sufferers. The spark consists of three physical layers; a positronic endoplasma membrane surrounding the nucleus, an ignoplasma and an electron-rich exoplasmic membrane. These are all made up of charged particles. The ignoplasma consists of billions of filaments, microfilaments of an elastic metallic substance that carry particles from the nucleus to the exoplasma, the colliding particles is the source of the spark energy. Some of the central granules regulate the constant synthesis and degradation of these superconductive filaments.

Rossum's disease is a spark disease - the granules that are responsible for the synthesis of filaments will start to degrade slowly. They can be replaced, but spark surgeries are complicated and expensive. In Frenzy's case, his spark's radiation, the energy emission is irregular and it gets worse over time. These fluctuations cause the three systems to malfunction."

Flatline stopped and vented deeply, "We can't treat him here... but kid's a fighter." his optics met Megatron's, "You're lucky Soundwave can pay attention to multiple things at a time."

Megatron gave a nod absently, looking around the few mechs in the hall, all once again occupied with the small tasks of their chores, "That is not the only thing I'm grateful for."

"Nice and shiny, creator."

Soundwave had just come back from the training room and washed down, standing under the lukewarm shower did wonders to make him relax. But now a small flicker of nervousness sneaked into his processor.

::Why can't we go? Just in the compartment?::

"Laserbeak," Soundwave's tone was quiet, "we have discussed it already. I am going alone."

"So it's a date now?"

The dual-spark sent a pointed glare in the black twin's direction, "I am estimating. What I have learned about patronage... I'll see what I can do."

"Aw, come on, 's not all about credits, is it?" Rumble cocked his head to the side, "Y'know, we can feel you in the bond, not just you us."

While that was true, they couldn't have known how much Soundwave kept hidden from them, but sometimes even he let his guards down over their shared bond. Still, the emotional side was not what he was looking for in meeting Blaster; ever since he learned that some of the higher ranking gladiators had patrons who supported them financially on a regular basis, he thought it was even fortunate the other dual-spark took an interest in him. And these mechs and femmes were usually spared from death matches - precisely, spared from being on the receiving end. They were too valuable for the arena.

This was the reason he would be going out with Blaster now; everything else he might have thought or felt was secondary.

"Rumble," Soundwave sighed, "don't be so difficult. I want to get to know him before I suggest anything to him. Anyway, according to Megatron, tradition says he should make the first move, not me."

He was slightly relieved when his creations remained quiet. He remembered what they had talked about and he was intent on keeping himself to that. The fact he was looking forward to the meeting, to see that mech who was so full of life was a bonus; he would rather be partners with a mech whom he felt comfortable with. That was all.

"Please, leave it to me."

"Yeah, yeah, you'll solve everything, we know..."

Ravage sent a faint growl at Rumble and Soundwave turned slowly towards his loudmouthed creation, "Don't you trust me, Rumble?" his voice was calm but carried a silent warning tone. The purple cassette shrugged, quickly smoothing a frown from his face.

"I jus' want you to be sure of yourself... ya go 'round like we couldn't worry about you, just you 'bout us. Take care, okay?"

The next breem was spent in silence and he reassured each of his creations through their bond that it would be alright, and as he left, he tried to soothe the fluttering in his nerves as well as he made his way outside the arena. Master Onslaught had permitted their meeting and Soundwave was allowed to leave the arena. To see what it would turn out to be...

The colors weren't vibrating with the intensity he expected, just a calm flow of his EM field, and his smile upon seeing him was a tad more subdued than usual; Soundwave knew there was something wrong with Blaster even before they greeted each other. The flow did turn wilder and his face bright as Blaster walked up to him, but his resonating signature still held a little paleness that Soundwave didn't like, no matter how carefree Blaster seemed on the outside.

"Hey," the journalist's voice was somewhat softer, quieter, "glad you're here. Shall we go?"

They started walking in one of wider streets that, Soundwave knew, led to the city center. A klick passed before he spoke up, "Blaster... I thought maybe it would be better if we just went for a walk without stopping at a bar..."

The red mech turned to him with a confused frown, "Why? Don't feel like drinking?"

"I don't think I could afford..." while he did not like admitting things like that, Soundwave knew he couldn't waste the little credits they had to pretty drinks in a bar right now - however embarrassing it was, he hoped Blaster would understand.

But the other dual-spark just chuckled in relief, "I invited you, so don't worry about credits. You're my guest."

"It is really not necessary."

"Hey," Blaster raised an optical ridge, "when was the last time you allowed yourself a cube of frosty engex, or anything more than low-grade? I know what you have at the arena, and it's not much of a luxury, but I can give it to you now. Just for the sake of... variety in diet. Really, I insist."

He grew quiet and for a klick, his gaze seemed distant as they walked, enough for Soundwave to catch up on it even without reading his mind. By then, it bothered him enough to let the urge to ask forward, "Is something troubling you?"

A flash of surprise rushed through Blaster's features before morphing into a knowing smile, "Is it really that easy to see?"

Soundwave did not reply. He watched Blaster's face as he found the words to make an answer, and the newswriter's tone grew even quieter, "My last report... it was censored. Censored to death, really. Almost completely rewritten. You can imagine..."

The blue gladiator frowned at that slightly, but let the other continue, "We are one of the biggest news agencies in Iacon... on Cybertron. Not some tabloid or gossip magazine. They never had any problems with our style or what we write about. Some small, necessary censorship, but that's all. Now it's... they're..."

"Restraining liberty of press." Soundwave murmured, he had a wild guess who "they" could be. He thought earlier, much earlier, that it would be inevitable with how things were starting to roll, but he wasn't that much engaged in media since he lost his job. Even though it was new, he couldn't feel surprised at this turn of events.

Blaster nodded, "Plain and simple as that." he replied, and while he gave a small shrug, knowing that he couldn't do anything about it now, Soundwave could feel it still made him frustrated. He could imagine what it must have felt like.

"May I ask what it was about?" he tried quietly, earning a subtle chuckle from the other dual-spark.

"I shouldn't really talk about it, you know." his sky-blue optics met Soundwave's, "A politician... forestalling... credits not going where they should... you get the picture."

Soundwave's frown deepened, unwanted files, long-buried pictures and sounds stirred up in his memory banks at Blaster's words that he tried to push away immediately, "Yes, I do." he murmured.

"Soundwave... I am sure you know what you have been charged with. Even know the paragraph of the law you violated.

"Sir... it is only–"

"SILENCE!"...

"Sorry, I shouldn't have brought my problems here now." Blaster shrugged, optics glowing a lighter, brighter blue, burying his troubles for later, "We've come to have fun. Did they allow you out without any problem?"

"Yes." Soundwave lifted his gaze again to Blaster's face, "Fortunately, my victories so far earned me a place among the higher ranking gladiators. Master Onslaught said I only need to ask for permission."

At that, he finally received the burst of color and the wide, shining smile he was used to, "Good news. Just cause I'm planning on stealing you for a joor or two on other occasions, too... if you want, of course."

The slight rise of Soundwave's optical ridges did not reveal the full force of his surprise, "I still don't understand why you're so interested in me."

Another shrug, and this time it was truly carefree, not at all forced like before, "Can't explain... I mean, apart from curiosity, I... feel good now. Talking to you and all. I asked if you want to because there are plenty of places to go. I know bars not only in Kaon. I live in Altihex, I was sparked there, we have lots of casinos... though Polyhex is even better. They have Cybertron's largest and prettiest bars. I lived there for a short time, but enough to get to know them from cube to cube, though I haven't been there since I work in Iacon. And before you think me some addicted drinker, it's more of the gathering. Friends meet there, we can hang out after shifts are done... relax."

Soundwave's optics did not leave the red dual-spark's face, watching every movement of the silvery features. He found himself content just watching and listening, processing every word and it did not require any effort on his part. The telepathy was always there, it was a part of how his processor worked, he heard the electrical impulses of the other's thoughts and saw the colors of his emotions, but it was simply a background noise he was used to and he did not have to enforce his ability to fully enter Blaster's mind - the lively expressions and the simple, sincere words did not hide anything.

And Soundwave unconsciously let himself relax as well.

"Hey, we're here!"

That was the first time he tore his optics from Blaster's face and he was surprised he did not notice they arrived at the bar, mostly because much more robots walked around there, it was rather busy compared to the almost isolated area of the arena. Now that he snapped his attention away from Blaster he was suddenly hit by the other transformers' fields and it took him several klicks to get back control over the sensory input. He didn't have much problem in crowds anymore if he had time to ready himself for it and he scolded himself for losing concentration.

The klicks while he regained the control caused his steps to slow somewhat, enough for Blaster to look back at him with a frown, "Soundwave? Everything's okay?"

"Yes." the dual-spark replied and he looked up to see where they arrived; the 'Jump Joint'. He had heard about it from Megatron and Crasher, it was one of the more cultured and sought-out bars in the city state. Not the largest, but it seemed calm enough. The two sat down at an outside table and Soundwave followed suit when Blaster picked up the menu.

"So? Which would you like?"

Soundwave looked back up at his partner, putting down the pad, "A simple energon cube will be good enough."

Blaster gave an amused snort, "The cheapest, eh? I told you not to worry about credits. Choose whatever you like. At least have it a bit selenated? Makes it a bit sour, but I think it's perfect for a mid. Or... I see they have visco here. Have you ever tried it?"

Seeing Soundwave shake his head, Blaster's smile grew, "It's something between mid-grade and high-grade. Gives you a little charge, just a good shiver. Has a small amount of strontium and a bit of zinc for the taste. Y'know, I have a friend at a bar in Iacon, used to be a mechanochemist, but left it... he can do wonders to beverages. He can make the finest visco, that's how I came to like it. Can I recommend it to you?"

Soundwave nodded with a small movement, once again studying the journalist's expressions as he spoke, but this time, Blaster's optics gave a twinkle and a quiet chuckle left his vocalizer, "I know I'm a looker, but what is it?"

Taking a klick to find the words, Soundwave replied, "I don't even need my telepathy with you. I can see everything, you... You are so clear to me."

Blaster's smile grew gentler, the blue of his optics a tad deeper, "And... is that good or bad?"

"Good." Soundwave allowed a smile to his face, watching how it made a whirl of colorwaves around Blaster, "I'm at ease."

"It's good to hear."

Soon their drinks were served and they continued talking. Nothing big, world-shattering or otherwise moving was among the topics, just small, everyday things, their creations, and Soundwave did not even realize it until then how comfortable it felt, not having to be careful or concentrate. For the first time in megacycles - or perhaps stellar cycles - he felt truly relaxed, and for the very first time, not alone in his room or among his creations. It was a different kind of serenity that made the world, for just those moments, a little bit better.

And it was all too soon interrupted.

::Creator::, it was Ravage's voice inside his head, ::sorry to disturb you, but... you need to come back.::

Apologizing to Blaster, Soundwave activated his internal comm. link, ::Is there something wrong?::

::No, nothing wrong, just... we're having an unexpected visitor, Master Onslaught just let him in the arena.::

::Who is it?:: Soundwave asked with a sigh. It really seemed he had to end his time with Blaster, and his eldest's answer just confirmed his suspicion.

::The Tarnian scientist. Shockwave.::

...*cough* Hope you liked it. :) Errors will be corrected if I notice them later today when I wake up. :P

I used Vortex's Fall for Cybertron colors, I like those designs though I admit I'm totally unfamiliar with the games. They look good, okay? Night. ^^