Chapter 22: Meeting Megatron

Tegan felt as if he was going to choke on his own heart any moment as he hurried outside and snuck through the allies to get back to his house. There were no sign of the Autobot vehicles, so he relaxed for now on that part.

Reaching his home, Tegan went and got his bike, finally able to ride it now that he could see, and mounted it quickly, biking down the roads as he headed for the outskirts of town.

'How did Megatron even find out?' Tegan wondered inwardly as he biked faster due to his bodily upgrades, wind whipping through his hair as his lungs drew in deep breaths of the hot, dusty Nevada air. 'Did Soundwave tell him?'

As he biked, Tegan prayed that he wasn't going to meet his end on the warship, at the servos of the Decepticon warlord Megatron... How would the warlord kill him? Step on him? Shoot him so that he was nothing but a smoking spot on the pavement? Torture him to death? Tegan shuddered at the ideas that began to swarm his mind.

Tegan eventually made it out of town and left his bike there, running the rest of the way to the place he had met Soundwave before going for his surgery, finding the tall con already there.

Slowing down in his easy run, Tegan eventually came to a stop in front of Soundwave, looking up at him through the darkened glasses. "Hey, Soundwave." He said, shoving his hands into his pockets as he tried to force a smile at the faceless con.

Soundwave looked down at him silently before picking him up and transforming, Tegan in the cockpit as he usually was, the youth just settling back silently as they took off, heading up into the sky.

Several moments of silence passed before Tegan spoke. "So, Soundwave, who told Megatron?" He asked slowly, several more moments of silence passing before Soundwave answered. "Soundwave: Reported."

Tegan sat up straight, surprised and feeling slightly betrayed. "Why, Soundwave? I thought that we didn't want him knowing!" He cried.

There was quiet again before Soundwave answered. "Orion's existence discovered by another, Soundwave reported first to show his master loyalty... Can better protect Orion if trusted by Megatron." The Decepticon TIC answered.

Tegan looked out at the clouds, nodding slowly. "Ok... I trust you Soundwave." He answered in a nearly inaudible whisper.

Unknown the the Techno-Organic, his words made Soundwave flinch, the first sign of emotion he had ever shown outwardly had anyone seen it. "Orion understands that Soundwave cannot promise him safety?" He asked softly.

Looking down at the controls, Tegan nodded slowly. "I understand Soundwave." He answered quietly again, as if he didn't trust his voice in order to speak any louder.

Tegan straightened up slowly in his seat as a massive ship came into view. It was huge and very foreboding looking... The first time the young boy had ever laid eyes on it and been able to see it for how it truly looked.

Soundwave flew over it and onto the flight deck, transforming with Tegan in his servo, looking around before carrying the young boy into the dark bowels of the warship.

Sitting in Soundwave's servo, Tegan trembled as he looked around the warship discreetly, looking at strange purple cons that all looked the same, red visors lighting up brighter as they looked at him in curiosity, but once they noticed he was with Soundwave they quickly turned away.

Looking up at Soundwave, Tegan wanted to ask him questions, but knew that he wouldn't answer him... Not when they were on the warship, where he was a cold, emotionless Decepticon. As he had said earlier, he needed to keep his reputation.

Finally, Soundwave stopped walking and just stood outside a door. To most, they would say that he was waiting for an unheard order, but Tegan could hear the large Decepticon speaking in his mind. 'Orion. When we walk through this door, you must understand that you are in extreme danger.' Soundwave warned him.

Tegan nodded slightly. 'I understand.' He answered softly.

The cold, dark visor turned slightly to look at him. 'You must obey every order that Megatron gives you. If another gives you an order or insults you, keep your focus on him. If he sees what he can interpret as loyalty, or that he is your main focus, then your chances of survival are improved greatly.'

Again, Tegan nodded, looking up at him.

'Only intelligence and performance can save you.' Soundwave told him, opening the door before Tegan could respond.

Silence fell as Tegan stood in Soundwave's servo now, looking around the room quietly, but then his eyes were caught on the massive silver form standing at the opposite end of the room, looking out at the sky.

Swallowing, Tegan waited until Soundwave set him down, unsure of whether or not to approach, so he followed beside Soundwave, waiting until the mech stopped before stopping beside him, silent and waiting.

Tegan stood, forcing himself to keep his hands at his sides and not cross his arms as he watched the massive mech whom he assumed to be Lord Megatron. He trembled slightly as he watched him, swallowing hard as he began to turn towards them.

"Ah, Soundwave." Megatron's voice made Tegan tremble slightly and he tried to stop himself from doing so as the Decepticon leader continued speaking. "And this is the Techno-Organic?"

Tegan looked up at the use of the term, knowing that it was describing him. He remained silent as the warlord leaned over a little to look down at him, a really thin, grey Cybertronian with wings standing next to him. 'Starscream. The first lieutenant.' Soundwave revealed within his processor.

Making no acknowledgement of the revelation, Tegan continued to look up into the red optics of Lord Megatron.

Soundwave nodded slightly, an action caught only by Megatron, who leered down at Tegan. "He's small and weak." He growled.

"Indeed, Lord Megatron." Starscream spoke up now, but Tegan continued to look at Megatron like Soundwave had instructed him to. "The boy is useless. Might I suggest that we end him now?"

The warlord was staring intently at Tegan now, trying to see what reaction he would have to Starscream's words.

Tegan just looked at Megatron. He had offlined his hearing when Starscream had begun to speak so he would be able to keep his full attention on the larger mech, and therefore, had not heard what he had said, so there was absolutely no reaction.

Megatron raised his optical ridges. "Perhaps, Starscream... We should test that theory." He stated, looking down at Tegan, who had onlined his hearing now, and felt cold tingles pass down his spine. He wanted to look up at Soundwave, but forced himself not to... He needed to keep focused on Megatron.

The warlord straightened to his full height, looking down at the small Techno-Organic who hadn't turned from looking at him the whole time. "Perhaps a test... A fight." Megatron stated softly.

Again, Tegan felt cold shivers pass down his spine he almost spoke but cut it back, Soundwave speaking up instead. "Techno-Organic isn't prepared for a fight... Very little knowledge in fighting." The tall TIC answered.

Megatron shrugged. "That is of little concern." He answered.

"And... Who will he be fighting?" Starscream asked him curiously.

Tegan couldn't help but shudder at Megatron's next words... "He'll be fighting me."