I am really enjoying writing this story and the reviews are so interesting. I usually don't do much with Arcee because she is hard for me to write sometimes, I really am a Soundwave fan but I am glad that teamed these two characters together for this story. I am going to focus a little on Optimus and Megatron through them for a while though because I want the story to keep flowing and not become just a smut fic between Soundwave and Arcee.
Please take a moment to review because I absolutely love to read them over and over. Thank you all for staying with me and if you like to read about anything I encourage you to read my other stories; they are different and are a series starting with "A Telling Surprise". Enjoy!
"I am not in the mood!" Arcee snapped at Soundwave and he inwardly sighed in his mind. She had not calmed down since the walk on the flight deck and now Soundwave didn't think she would even let him in the berth with her. Think what she liked but Soundwave would eventually have to put an end to her little tantrum.
He finished setting up surveillance for the night before turning back to her. She had her arms crossed around her middle and was sitting at the foot of the berth. He slowly approach, as a lion approaching a wide eyed gazelle, and wondered if she would bolt the minute he sat down next to her.
"I mean it Soundwave! You can play your games all you want with you master but I will not be made into a little pet to be displayed for Megatron's pleasure." Arcee growled at him. She blinked her optics on and off but made no other moved besides that.
"Enough!" Soundwave snarled regulating an immediate gasped and tenseness that Soundwave did not want from her but was too tired to stop it. He sat down and took her face in his claws. "I am not apologizing for my master's choice of words. I told him my intentions, I let it be known that you are not a slave, and I will not have you chastise me just because Megatron wanted to push your buttons. Why do you think Starscream gets so exasperated with him? He loves to goad us all to a point. He doesn't do it with me because I choose to not let him see how it riles me and he quickly bores then finds someone else to manipulate." Soundwave paused a moment to let his words sink in that stubborn hem of his mate's. "It is what he does best. The only other one that he has not ever bested with words is Prime. Leave it alone. You have managed to integrate well here on the Nemeses and even verbally put Starscream in his place despite your position and lack of weapons. Don't let Lord Megatron spoil what little happiness we have managed between us." He looked into her optics and sent a pulse of forgiveness and love to her.
Arcee seemed to relax as she felt his concern and care for her and she slumped toward him so that he could envelope her with his arms.
"I am sorry but I hate that I have no freedom." It was muffled against his chest armor and Soundwave held her close to his spark.
"Give it time Arcee. He will give you your freedom once all of this is done and the war is over." Soundwave whispered. Whether she heard or not, Soundwave couldn't tell.
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"Well, were you able to get the other two keys?" Knockout asked. He waited in the corner from the med bay as Starscream approached him.
"Yes, but it wasn't easy hacking Soundwave's terminal. If it hadn't been so difficult I would almost wonder if Soundwave left it unsecure on purpose. The Autobots were so easy to infiltrate. I waited until that scout came out and then hid until he opened the blast doors to go back inside. From there, it was easy. You should have seen that idiot medic trying to stop me from using their own ground bridge to get out. It was hilarious!" Starscream chuckled at his own words and Knockout smiled.
"You have them so we can go to Megatron and present them as a gift, right?" Knockout stated.
"Yes, let's go." Starscream said and the two mechs went in search of their master.
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"Incoming transmission from Autobot base." Soundwave droned as he decoded the frequency and waited for his master to respond.
"Good Soundwave, they must grow weary from not knowing what has happened to their femme soldier." Megatron said as he walked over to the transmission consul and waited for Soundwave to open the hailing from the Autobots. Soundwave opened communications, first checking to make sure no virus was transmitted. He did not trust that little human after the transfer of a nasty virus that Soundwave eventually found in Laserbeak.
"Megatron." The deep smooth baritone of Optimus Prime's voice floated across the Soundwave as he waited for his master's next instruction. It was a voice that could soothe and Soundwave briefly wondered if Megatron dreamed of that voice in the deep dark recesses of night. Soundwave knew that he would if it had been meant for him to bond to the prime.
"Prime." Again Soundwave wondered if Megatron always called him prime because he missed his friend Orion Pax so much and it hurt to see what the matrix had done to make this young prime. "What do I owe the pleasure?"
"We want Arcee back." Optimus was not mincing words as he glared at the warlord. Megatron chuckled.
"I haven't taken any prisoners so why would have your femme?" Megatron asked trying to pass off innocence but his glower looked more evil than innocent.
"Don't toy with me Megatron. She has been missing for over a week." Starscream and Knockout walked through the blast doors and onto the bridge of the command ship but froze when they saw who their master was talking to. "Now you insult me by denying that you have her only mere moment after infiltrating and attacking our base. What do you take me for, a fool?"
"I assure you we have no prisoners, but Soundwave did take a mate. If you want I can arrange for you to come and meet her." Megatron mockingly offered.
"No thank you Megatron, I want my soldier back. What do you want that I can offer you?" Prime demanded more than asked and again Megatron laughed.
"What I want you wouldn't give so unless you are offering to surrender I suggest that we end this transmission." Megatron glared openly hostile now that he was through playing with Prime.
"No I can't do that. Where is she?" Optimus demanded once again.
"Like I stated, come and find out." Megatron sent the ping for Soundwave to cut the transmission before turning to Starscream and Knockout.
"Starscream! What is the meaning of this?" Megatron yelled violently and both mechs cowered from their angry leader.
"Well master, we wanted to please you." Starscream started but stopped as he held his arms over his helm to protect it from any possible blows.
"My lord, if I may, we retrieved the other two keys from the Autobot base." Knockout said and Starscream quickly agreed as they both handed the two final keys to their master.
"So this attack, it was to retrieve the keys, and what, pray tell, do they open?" Megatron growled softly.
"When locked together they show a map of Cybertron with a mark over an area near the ancient ruins between Kaon and Polyhex." Starscream trembled visibly. If their situation wasn't so dire Soundwave would have laughed at their tepidness in the face of their master, but that would have diverted Megatron's attention to him and this wasn't the time to upset the tyrant.
"So we now have a map and since keys unlock locks then this is a matter of dire importance. Soundwave," Megatron beckoned and Soundwave inclined his helm to his master. "ready the space bridge. Starscream, ready the armada. I will personally lead them. I want you here ready to back me when I call for you. Knockout, ready the med bay. If this goes to plan I will be bringing back prisoners." Megatron strode past them as he went to ready himself. Starscream looked back over to the communications officer.
"I guess we will be making a trip home." He said though he knew that Soundwave would not reply.
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"Optimus, why would he mention Soundwave having a bond mate?" Ratchet asked. Smokescreen walked over to stand next to Bulkhead as they both listened. Jack stood close by wanting to hear if they had found out anything about Arcee.
"I don't' know. Strategically it is not a good idea unless it was said to make us wonder…" Optimus stopped thinking the conversation over with Megatron again. "Ratchet, can a bond be forced?" He looked up at Ratchet as he kept thinking; hoping that where his thought was taking him would not be so.
"You don't think... Arcee would die of humiliation, no Optimus!" Bulkhead exclaimed, his optics huge in his massive helm.
"He said that he didn't have any prisoners. Could MECH still be around?" Jack asked.
"No, unfortunately Silas was stopped by the very thing he wanted to be a part of. With Megatron ending him I doubt there are any left of that human organization. No, I still think that Megatron had something to do with this." Optimus concluded as he looked out over his soldiers, his family.
"If Soundwave has done something to her…" Ratchet slowly began to say only to have Jack interrupt him.
"No… I mean… what would Soundwave want with Arcee?" Jack asked baffled. He looked up at Optimus expecting an answer but Optimus was quiet. It seemed that Optimus was keeping his secrets close lately. Even the other Autobots were reserved and Optimus had been sending them home early rather than letting them stay the whole weekend.
"It remains to be seen why Soundwave has taken a mate or why Megatron would want us to know it, however if we are to revive Cybertron then we must Stop Megatron first." Optimus stated and then turned to Bulkhead and Bumblebee. "Return the children to their homes. Ratchet, ready the bridge." Optimus walked back to retrieve the Forge of Solas Prime.
"What? Is he going to build a space bridge with the Forge?" Smokescreen asked watching his leader.
"Most likely, Optimus can pretty much build anything with that hammer." Bulkhead stated. "Jack, Miko, ready to leave?"
"Yeah, just let me get my guitar." Miko said sadly. Raf gathered his lap top and Jack waited for Bumblebee before Bulkhead transformed along with Smokescreen and Bumblebee. Ratchet had just cleared the young scout to go out and so they escorted the children back to their homes. Bulkhead, Smokescreen, and Bumblebee went to grab relics to even the odds against them as Optimus looked to Ratchet before he turned to retrieve the Forge.
Optimus walked to the ground bridge and with just a few swings their homemade ground bridge now possessed the ability to be a space bridge.
"Wow, just a few swings." Bulkhead stated.
"Yeah, presto a space bridge." Smokescreen added as they watched their regal leader walk back to the Forge and with another few swings created another sword. Optimus walked back holding the sword as Ratchet fired up the space bridge.
"Megatron must be stopped at all costs." Was all the great Autobot leader said.
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Soundwave walked into his quarters. He had only a moment and so he went straight to his mate who was sitting but soon stood to meet him when he walked through the doors.
"Megatron has left for Cybertron." Soundwave informed her.
"So it is time?" She both asked and confirmed.
"Yes." Soundwave pulled her into his arms. "If Megatron succeeds he will be bringing back his prize. They have found the Omega Lock in the Sea of Rust."
"So it begins. What about you?" She whispered tentatively wrapping her arms around her mate. The bond had taken so quickly and now Arcee wondered if her feelings were because of the bond or if she had always felt something for the dark silent con that had become so protective of her.
"I am to stay here with Starscream and wait for further orders." He said quietly. "I only came to check on you and let you know. I have to get back." He pulled her close, almost crushing her, before letting her go. Arcee looked up into his optics as she watched him turn and walk out of their quarters.
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Megatron roared in frustration. How could four Autobots destroy so many vehicons and steal the keys from him.
"Starscream! The Autobots have seized the Omega Keys. Send reinforcements immediately!" He yelled into his communication array as he looked over the damages of the battle as he walked by the deactivated vehicons.
"Actually Lord Megatron, Soundwave has been briefing me on recent developments and we may have a more effective solution." Starscream confidently said as he informed his leader of their status. Megatron briefly wondered what the silent mech was up to; but Megatron also knew that if Soundwave was conspiring then he would have results soon. He looked over the destruction once more as he waited for his second and third in command before leaving to follow the Autobots once Soundwave had given his signal that he was ready.
Megatron transformed and flew out to follow the Autobots which wasn't long before his scanners picked them up. He landed as he watched them take an attack stance.
"Autobots, I would suggest that you put a halt to your task and hand over those keys." Megatron stated very calmly, too calmly. He approached at ease as the Autobots looked at him warily.
"And why would we do that?" Smokescreen asked defiantly aiming his gun at the tyrant. The other by his side watching as Megatron continued to walk towards them but not raising his weapons.
"So that I may hand over the humans." Megatron replied. Instantly behind the war lord a space bridge opened and Soundwave, Starscream, and knockout emerged with three pods containing Miko, Raf, and Jack. Bumblebee buzzed in distressed as Bulkhead gasped air and static from his vents. Smokescreen whispered quietly, "Oh no," and Optimus' brow plates narrowed to glare at Megatron.
"And if we refuse?" Optimus asked as he stood face to face with his rival. Megatron could feel the warm air expelled from Prime's vents as he stared him down.
"Then I will have no choice but to open the pods, exposing your pets to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere, and then we can all watch them instantly perish together." Starscream gloated at Jack and Knockout scratched the surface of Miko's pod making pathetic cooing noise at the children.
"Not how I wanted to spend my first trip to Cybertron." Miko said sadly.
"Starscream!" Megatron barked at his second.
"Jack, It's time to come out and play." Starscream slurred happily after raking his claws down the pod of the glass. Jack cringed from the sound but still held his defiant glare.
"Go ahead, the Autobots were prepared to sacrifice themselves for my planet I'll do the same for theirs." He stated loud for the treacherous second to hear.
"Me too creepy!" Miko exclaimed at Knockout mutinously. Raf gulped trying to agree but the words would not come out as he looked up at his captor, Soundwave.
"Perhaps we should oblige them."
"If my decision dooms the future of the Autobot cause on Cybertron so be it; but I will never forsake our human allies." Optimus stated as he surrendered his sword and backed away to stand with his soldiers.
Bumblebee surrendered the apex armor as Smokescreen also threw the phase shifter and the rest of the bots threw their weapons to the center just out of reach from the decepticons.
"Now if you please, the Omega Keys." Megatron said. "On at a time." Holding his hand out.
"You first big boy." Knockout said. Bulkhead slowly brought the key to Knockout after Optimus nodded to him before stopping in front of him.
"If I don't get the girl first I will make you eat this key." He snarled at Knockout angrily.
"You're welcome." Knockout preened as he looked at the key in his hand.
"Get scrapped!" Miko yelled back as she looked relieved to be in Bulkhead's hands.
Bumblebee approached beeping and clicking at Soundwave as Raf was handed over to him for another key.
"If this human was important enough to entrust with the matrix of leadership, he's worth two Omega keys." Megatron glared at Optimus as Optimus creased the plates of his brow and held the tyrant stare.
"No tricks!" Starscream stated as he put Jack on the ground and then held his missiles ready and aimed at Smokescreen and then offered his claws for the keys. This particular young Autobot was unpredictable. "The keys if you please." Jack looked relieved to see Smokescreen give the seeker the keys and then place his hand on the pod, but no sooner than he picked him up than a space bridge opened and more vehicons came running out, armed and ready to surround the Autobots.
"You see Optimus there is something else that I want from you." Megatron said gloating over his enemy's sudden turn of fortune. "It has occurred to me that war will never end unless you are deactivated, and that would be tragic since it would martyr you and your troops would rally behind your sacrifice." Megatron walked closer to the captured bots as he watched Optimus with a distinct gleam in his optics.
"What is it you want Megatron?" Optimus snarled softly.
"Soundwave has done well with his mate. It is not an easy adjustment after all… her being a former Autobot." Megatron paused to let the horror of his statement sink in.
"No," snarled Bulkhead but he remained where he stood as the vehicons powered their weapons just in case the wrecker tried something crazy.
"What have you done to her?" Bumblebee demanded as he beeped and whirled angrily, helplessly watching Megatron make a path around Optimus. It was sickening how the tyrant gazed at their leader's aft, how he was marking all the appreciating attributes to memory.
"You see, if we make an alliance, then we will be united." Megatron stated softly as he came so close that his words were almost a caress across Optimus' audial.
"The only alliance that you would make would be one that furthered your cause. No thank you, I would rather perish than allow myself to become a mockery of your good will." Optimus said calmly thought everyone could see how clenched his hands were.
"I thought you might say that, but it would not be you that perishes." Megatron looked at the small band of soldiers as Optimus realized who he meant. Optimus felt his spark drop and stall as he realized just what Megatron wanted. "Even now, I have Shockwave securing your medic and my soldiers are stripping your pathetic base. All you have to do is agree to my terms to save your soldiers. There are so few of us left Optimus and why risk their safety when all you have to do is become my Prime and I, your Lord High Protector." The last was said softly but Optimus knew what he wanted. A bond. It made him feel like weeping inside but he could not show that because then his soldiers would lose all hope.
"What about the children?" Optimus asked quietly.
"I will let them go. They will return to their families although I will let Arcee see her pet. She has done well integrating into the decepticon ranks." Megatron said it loud enough so that confusion and panic would grip the other Autobots. "I have positions for all of your soldiers should they want to stay by your side." He stepped back to see each face as they looked at their leader with horror and pain.
"Optimus, you can't be thinking about doing this. He's Megatron, the slag maker." Bulkhead stated softly. "Optimus no."
"Optimus, there has got to be another way." Smokescreen added pleadingly. Optimus looked at his soldiers and then to the rest of the decepticons as he thought about his options.
Suddenly, a thought flitted across his CPU, just for a fleeting moment. What if this is meant to be? What if the council made a mistake? This could stop the war, though the Autobots would not be the victors, but if a bond could stop the oilshed then Optimus had no choice but to accept Megatron's proposal.
"My soldiers would not be prisoners?" He asked once again demanding clarification from an enemy that he didn't trust.
"No, but they would not be free either. They will have to earn that since they chose to side with the opposing side." Megatron replied.
"How do I know that you won't just kill them after I agree?" Optimus asked. He needed to make sure that they had a chance to survive.
"We will need builders and workers Optimus. Not only will your soldiers make an adjustment but mine will as well. We have been at war for far too long." Megatron stated.
"What about any officers or commanders that might still be alive?" Optimus needed to know exactly what his surrender would entail.
"They will be given to other officers, oh not as slaves, but as potential bond mates." Megatron started but was cut off.
"What! Why wasn't I informed of this?" Starscream screeched out but Megatron ignored the outraged seeker. If Magnus was still out there then he could deal with the moody carrier when Magnus was captured.
"So we are to be subjugated to your officers." Optimus finally said after everyone stood waiting for Prime's final answer.
"Our race would be one again, unified just as you wanted Prime." Megatron said gently, mockingly. "Either way, I will revive Cybertron. What better way than at my side. Oh if you insist I will make you a slave but I don't really want to do that. It would be easier to be my mate than to be my pleasure slave, don't you think?"
Optimus looked down suddenly as he pondered the terrible choice that Megatron was given him. It then came to him that once, long ago, he read a data pad that talked of lovers bonding, one very gentle and caring, while the other was a war build and quick to fight. The outcome of the story was that their bond melded their personalities as one and the more violent of nature became softer, gentler. If he chose to bond, would Megatron soften his ways and give other worlds and theirs a chance to heal? If he chose to be a slave he would never know.
Optimus looked up at Megatron as he came to his decision. "Megatron, if my soldiers are not harmed then I accept your proposal."
Megatron smiled evilly.