-Author's Notes-

I do not think my never-ending apologies could possibly be emphasized to all of you right now. My gosh, I am so sorry. It's been months since I've updated, and I simply cannot explain why; it's personal, and being busy in general has followed that too. So getting a chance to write simply had not come until recently. I just hope I can continue to update from now on, but as usual, read on!

Warning: Rating may change due to progress of this story. This chapter is currently rated T. Warnings will be placed at the start of each chapter, this chapter implies slash but nothing explicit.

Pairing - David x Shockwave

Implied - Soundwave x Shockwave

Disclaimer: This story is fan made. I do not own 'Transformers' or any of its characters. Transformers belong to Hasbro. (I could say that David is my OC vehicon, but the vehicons belong to Hasbro so I find it best not to.)

-The time of this story is set in the middle of Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters, season three of Transformers Prime.-

Please do read, enjoy and leave a review!~

"What is the meaning of this?"

I didn't dare attempt to lift my helm as Megatron practically hissed that question, though even without looking at him, I could tell he was hardly paying me any attention. I was just another soldier that so happened to be present in the control room at the time.

No, Lord Megatron's attention was entirely on his two leading officers.

I lightly licked my lip plating as my rushing thoughts began to formulate the worst possible scenarios that could arise from all this, but the worst thing about that was that no matter what happened, this was all partially my fault.

Or mostly my fault. I'm sure that's what Soundwave is thinking, anyway.

"Silent as usual."

It was then that I lifted my helm somewhat, but more so my shaky stare from the floor, the sound of Starscream's irritation catching my notice. I watched as he turned to his side to look up at Megatron with narrowed optics, a sharp-taloned servo soon resting on his hip plating. Megatron merely glimpsed in his direction; as though simply saying 'I'm listening'.

"Let's just admit that both of your wonderful followers slipped up. For once." The seeker was quite close to snarling, his crimson optics soon directing their attention to the two mechs in question.

I felt rather annoyed that Starscream had just happily decided to declare that both Commander Shockwave and Soundwave had 'slipped up', instead of carefully investigating the situation and finding the real culprit. It was Soundwave that started all of this ludicrous drama, not Commander Shockwave!

Commander Shockwave and Soundwave then began to simultaneously stand up, to be appropriate for conversation of course, so I found this a good time to not only stand up, but to move back a good bit; remaining at attention but out of this discussion. I had no right to speak, let alone concern myself, in all of this at the moment. Not until I was being directed at by one of my superiors.

I managed to catch sight of Knockout giving me a nervous but quick glance, him being able to do this due to being behind Starscream and Megatron, but I paid him absolutely no mind. I couldn't afford to make a stupid mistake right now and give him a cheery 'thumbs up' and tell him how fine this would all turn out.

Even if I were able to do something so foolish, it would be a complete lie; because I have no doubts of this turning very bad.

Finally, Commander Shockwave began to speak, but certainly not for long.

"My liege, this is- "

"Minor malfunction: Soundwave responsible. Technical difficulties: resolved."

Commander Shockwave's brightened optic almost seemed to widen as he brought his stare to Soundwave, who had interrupted him with his fake excuse of mashed-up recordings. I too had shifted my stunned gaze to him, but I tried my best not to seem surprised or even concerned with any of this. After all, as of now, I am not even involved. Especially with what Soundwave just implied.

As I always say: Thank Primus for this visor.

But... Why did Soundwave just lie?

My processor was now engaging in a large debate with itself as to why, exactly, Soundwave had just blatantly lied, not only to his beloved leader, but in front of two eyewitnesses.

Though considering the situation, lying was beneficial to all three of us right now. If Megatron found out about what Soundwave had done and why he had done it, the easy-to-annoy mech would not be pleased at all. I'm just glad Soundwave wasn't anything like Starscream, who not only lied, but made up a lie that would benefit him but not those who opposed him.

It was very relieving alright, because if Megatron finds out about my involvement with Commander Shockwave because of certain reasons, and Commander Shockwave's involvement with me for whatever reasons; well, that would be quite an ugly turn out for the both of us. Oh, I cannot bear the thought of being the one to get Commander Shockwave into trouble!

My thoughts soon vanished as Megatron started to speak, or more so question all of this, further. From the unamused expression on his marred face plates, he clearly wasn't convinced, despite this being Soundwave who had given the reason for all this, who would never lie to him.

Yeah, right.

"Minor malfunction? Technical difficulties? I find it peculiar that they just so happened to be immediately 'resolved', as you said, when I gave my command. Indeed, Soundwave, I have control over everything on this warship, but even that has its limits..." The warlord blatantly mocked, which did surprise me because this was still Soundwave,his first and most loyal follower, he was talking to! But then again, Megatron was clearly ticked off and he did make a clear and valid point for him to believe this is all a fib, and not only that but if this was Starscream that caused this then the seeker probably wouldn't have a head by now.

I wanted to laugh loudly at that thought but refrained from doing so with a quiet vent; I might just be able to get out of this, the last thing I need to do is laugh!

Soundwave nodded his helm subtly at the Decepticon leader, reassuring him of his words, before turning his focus to Commander Shockwave, who must still be surprised for he had yet to speak or look away from Soundwave. The communications officer then tilted his helm just a tiny bit, and to a mech such as Commander Shockwave, it must have meant for him to clarify on what Soundwave had just said; because that's exactly what the scientist began to do.

"... Indeed, my liege." The purple mech began, bringing his watchful gaze to Megatron who had now locked his optics on Commander Shockwave.

"That is exactly why I am here. I have just managed to mend the panel just in time for your return, as intended. The malfunctions were due to the explosion of Darkmount, the impact of the shock waves from it happened to disrupt the panel's core. I must run a few scans on this ship's systems to ensure that nothing else has been damaged."

I blinked a few times at Commander Shockwave, clearly in complete awe at his quick and very well logical reasoning for all of this. I could tell Soundwave was rather delighted with what Commander Shockwave had said too, for his usual hunched stature seemed to disappear as he stood a little more with confidence, as though knowing that what the scientist had said was plenty of information for Megatron to hear to be convinced.

If there's one thing Soundwave and I certainly have in common, it's our taste in mechs.

The thick effort I had to put into not sighing with heavy relief were quite immense, for Megatron's gaze appeared to soften after Commander Shockwave had explained the issue. One of his long, silver optic ridges were raised high in contemplation before a small smirk plastered itself onto the warlord's face.

"I see. Excellent. That explosion has practically just ensued and you managed to fix the control panel upon me arriving. I'm assuming that's also why you weren't answering my comlinks, Soundwave." Megatron questioned curiously, once again receiving a nod from the silent mech.

"Communications: hindered, also."

That liar.

Well, Commander Shockwave was lying too, but... Soundwave started it!

The Decepticon leader simply nodded in return before bringing his blazing gaze back to Shockwave, a serious tone consuming his voice, the smirk on his face soon turned into a grizzly frown.

"Shockwave, see to it that those scans are run; our loss of Darkmount is a grave one, and the return of Optimus Prime is something I had certainly not anticipated."

I now understood why the warlord was as annoyed as he was. Today certainly wasn't a win for the Decepticons, and I was disappointed at this because I knew Commander Shockwave would be too, but Primus was I happy that one of my superiors had yet to even glimpse at me.

Oh, I was confused though, there were a lot of things that had happened just there that didn't really make sense to me, but I was no longer in danger. It would appear that the current Decepticon crisis was becoming the main focus now as Megatron began walking towards the navigations system; Starscream practically trudging in his wake as both Soundwave and Commander Shockwave moved aside to let them both pass. The seeker was clearly annoyed.

Sorry, Starscream. Perhaps you'll see Commander Shockwave or Soundwave get roared at by Megatron another day. Though hopefully Commander Shockwave won't ever fall victim to that, and my hopes were high for that. It took no genius to see that Commander Shockwave was no dunce.

I felt glad to have moved back when I did, it was like I didn't even exist anymore, though Knockout was certainly giving me a lot of attention with his shifty optics. The red mech was the only one who hadn't followed Megatron, he obviously held no intention of doing so, as he then subconsciously used the back of his servo to wipe his ever-shining chest plating, as though there was a touch of dirt on him, before raising his voice to speak.

"Well, with that all sorted, I think it best for me to return to the medical bay. Gotta check up on those banged-up vehicons who thought it was wise to play with fire. Call me if you need me. Or don't. The latter is preferred." The doctor dismissed with a light flaunt of his servo, knowing that the only person paying him real attention right now was me, and it was very obvious that he wanted to speak to me with his secret input there.

It also seemed he only tagged along with Megatron and Starscream to check up on me, I suppose being the only vehicon in the control room with Commander Shockwave and Soundwave seemed obvious to him that it was me. Not sure how it was, but Knockout had his ways.

Knockout then looked at me one more time and I gave him a soft nod of understanding, before he left the room with his usual proud stride, as one would expect him to do.

As that had happened, Megatron had clearly put aside the situation of the ship's 'malfunctions', for he was deeply discussing the topic of the loss of Darkmount and the miraculous return of Optimus Prime with his three leading soldiers. All of whom were surrounding and listening closely to the strategic plans of the Decepticon warlord.

I simply stared at them all for a moment longer, Commander Shockwave in particular, before backing away slowly towards the exit, the large metal door opening as my presence moved closer to it. Luckily, Megatron's loud voice was enough for me to remain unnoticed, along with my lack of importance. They obviously knew I was here, I simply didn't matter enough to even be acknowledged. Though of course, I hope Commander Shockwave thought differently to that.

Oh, don't I always hope.

It was then I heard the crescendo of clattering pedes to metal, clearly the uninjured vehicons making their way around the ship, and I knew many were heading here for very-much-required duties so I decided to make a swift departure to medical bay before they bustled in here. I really needed to speak with Knockout, both he and I needed answers, and I wasn't sure why I felt as though Knockout could even grant me any. But I felt beyond desperate right now.

I unfortunately didn't miss the last glance Soundwave gave me, and I visibly flinched, before rushing out of the room and passing the few vehicons in my way without a care, but still keeping that ever-emotionless vehicon demeanor. I could almost feel Soundwave smiling at my back as I had done so. That is, if he even had a face to be able to smile.

It's short, I know! But I hope it cures anyone who was curious to what happened after all of that drama before Megatron arrived and all that.

David is still a dolt, of course!~ But he was careful in this chapter, thankfully. I hope to provide a new chapter soon, so until then!~

Thank you all so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!~

Please leave a review and stay tuned!~