Author's Note: Well, so far I'm having a lot of fun writing this one. I like when I can mix serious with absurd. A big thank you to everyone who has read my story so far! Please review, favorite, and follow to read more! You're a great audience :)

Chapter 2

The Tapes

Megatron sat on a berth in what Soundwave told him was his personal quarters. Megatron was surprised by how impersonal his own room looked. Frankly this room could've belonged to anyone. There were no pictures of loved ones or decorations of any kind. The only thing different from everything else was a sword hanging on the far wall.

He and the creepy cassette carrier had been there for hours watching recordings from Megatron's entire life. There were orations from when he was a young gladiator trying to bolster his people into joining his cause. There were countless fights on countless battlefields. He was even shown the tape of his very last fight with Optimus Prime that had taken place that very day.

One thing Megatron was noticing about himself was his appearance. Soundwave had looked at him to make sure he was watching the recording, and Megatron suddenly blurted out "I look so old!"

Megatron even noticed in his younger pictures that he was always covered in scars and dents. He never had paint like so many other mechs, and even now his coating was a dull unpainted silver with red wiring and black gunmetal. His optics were so severe, and he was beginning to see why everyone was so afraid of him. He secretly wondered if Soundwave was afraid of him too.

The pair were getting to the end of the most recent encounter on the tape. The Megatron on the tape looked around at the Decepticons being defeated by the Autobots and bellowed "Decepticons! Retreat!" Then as he was flying away a minibot flew right at his face and knocked out his optic! "Argh!" The Megatron on camera grunted after that.

"My last word on the battlefield was argh?" Megatron asked Soundwave, "I don't understand. Why did we retreat? The Autobots could've chased after us and killed us all! That Optimus guy doesn't exactly look trustworthy in my opinion. Why hide behind a face mask? Oh, and don't forget about those cold dead blue optics!"

Megatron shuddered a little at the thought of that red and blue behemoth. His mortal enemy looked like some kind of soulless monster, and if he was trying to stop good Cybertronians from being free of the counsel's tyranny then he probably was. Megatron was a little afraid of Optimus Prime, but more than that he was angry with him. That was clearly the face of evil.

"Megatron is stronger than Optimus Prime," Soundwave said in an effort to console his impaired leader, "Suggestion for next course of action: weapons training."

"Well...If you think I'll need it, I guess I will…" Megatron conceded after some thought, "At the very least, I need to know how to defend my people from that Optical Prime."

"Optimus Prime," Soundwave corrected.

"Yes, yes, Optimus Prime," Megatron repeated, "The Decepticons will be victorious, I swear it! I will not allow that hulking counsel puppet to rule over us like some kind of maniacal despot! We will be avenged!"

Despite his memory loss, Megatron could still speak with passion. Soundwave was in awe of the mech and yet still pitied him for his unfavorable condition. This was the old Megatron! This was the Megatron that could command a room with his voice alone. This was the mech that had promised freedom and dominance of the galaxy for his loyal followers. If only this Megatron could stay…

"Starscream, I really don't think this is a good idea…" Thundercracker said as he stood beside the throne that Starscream now occupied.

"Well I'm the leader now, and I say we start planning the raid now!" Starscream snapped at his subordinate.

"Megatron is still our leader-" Thundercracker started, but was cut off by Starscream who said "Megatron is weak! I am the leader!"

Just then, Soundwave came in with Megatron, and everyone froze! They knew how much Megatron hated it when Starscream sat in his chair, and they knew the way Megatron would often beat Starscream for trying to usurp his leadership. This was not going to be pretty…

"M-Megatron!" Starscream stammered as he saw the harsh visage of his leader, "I uh, I was just, uh...Keeping this seat warm for you…"

Megatron looked at Starscream for a second, and it almost looked like he was going to lash out like he always did, but then he brightened up and said "Starscream, my old friend! That was so nice of you! Soundwave, get a couple energon cubes for me and my friend Starscream!"

"As you command, Megatron," Soundwave replied just as easily as always.

Several jaws were hanging open as they stared at the silver warlord. He looked so happy to see Starscream! It was spooky. Even Starscream was having trouble recovering from that little display of brotherly affection.

"So Starscream, what were you up to?" Megatron asked casually.

Judging from the words he used, Thundercracker was sure Megatron knew about Starscream's rebellion over the raid plans and was just waiting for the right moment to humiliate his SIC. Thundercracker took a couple steps away from the throne as Starscream got off it and Megatron sat down. He didn't want to be too close when the punches started to fly.

"We were just going over some detailed tactical plans Megatron, not that you would understand them!" Starscream snidely commented.

Everyone waited for the verbal (and eventually physical) match to begin, but instead Megatron replied with "Good. We need every brilliant mind we can get if we're going to defeat the Autobots. They were called the Autobots, right?"

"Yes Megatron," Starscream answered in an almost bored sounding voice.

Soundwave then returned with the energon cubes, and Megatron smiled as he and Starscream each took one. Starscream knew there had to be a way to use this new situation to his advantage, but as of that moment he couldn't figure out how. All he knew was that Megatron was mentally unstable and ripe for manipulation…

Soundwave and Megatron were at the shooting range aboard the Nemesis. They had several targets programmed to pop up and down at various points around the room; both Autobot and Decepticon. Megatron needed to show that he still had his accuracy as well as the ability to distinguish friend from foe.

Soundwave left Megatron in the room and went to a control board to activate the simulation. It wasn't a fancy holographic set-up like the Autobots had, but it would serve its purpose.

Megatron hefted the cannon on his arm to feel its weight. It was a surprising comfort amid the turmoil he'd felt in his spark lately. Even without his memories, he still knew that there were a lot of mechs on this ship counting on him, and he didn't want to let them down.

The simulation began, and the room went dark as flashing strobe lights encircled the room! Megatron was confused as he looked for a target to shoot! There was a minibot with armor plating! He didn't recognize it, so he shot it! There were seekers over his head...If he remembered correctly, then most seekers worked for him, so he left them alone. One by one he shot his targets and tried to take great care to not shoot his cardboard allies. Soon the simulation was over and the lights came back on; blinding Megatron for the second time that day (that he could recall).

Soundwave came back in, and Megatron cursed the fact that he couldn't read the carrier's facial expressions at all. Then again, he wasn't sure if Soundwave even had the ability to express emotion that way.

"So...How'd I do?" Megatron asked hopefully.

"13 enemy targets eliminated. 7 enemy targets undamaged. 4 friendlies eliminated," Soundwave reported without inflection, "Overall score: acceptable."

"Acceptable?" Megatron asked indignantly, "That was terrible! I left 7 enemies alive and killed 4 of my own mechs! No Soundwave, I can't be trusted on the battlefield yet. I need more practice."

"As you wish, Megatron," Soundwave agreed without argument.

Megatron growled softly as he readied his weapon again. This Soundwave guy was really getting on his last circuit! He hated the way Soundwave just agreed with everything he said without giving him any real feedback or advice. Actually, if he thought about it, most of the Decepticons acted that way toward him.

He needed to talk to someone about how he was feeling. He needed advice, and he needed a friend. There was only one mech on this whole blasted ship that had been honest with him...He needed to talk to Starscream.