Hello everyone! Sorry this chapter took a log time to make, and I'm sorry it's a little half assed. This weekend, the state got a little overrun a couple of supper cells. Two tornado warnings in the span of two days. Half the city lost power and anyone without a backup generator (like my family) they had to wait another two days get power. This chapter probably would've been finished sooner, but there was a lot of debris that needed to be cleaned up. Our front yard had a large elm branch in front of it… And the town doesn't have elms growing inside of it. Very strong down bursts, huh? XD

Now for this chapter… I honestly felt a little dirty writing this one, and that's saying a lot after writing chapter 19.2… But if you didn't hate Antaeus before… I'm sure I've said this already, so you get the idea. Bad Eradicon! Bad! Also, Cass and Soundwave finally wake up! But the conversation is cut a little short, with a little time for some fluff at the end.

Special shout outs to: Megatronas, maria-ioanna984, and Cao dreams in books. To Megatronas, Cass is back! More to come in the next chapter. To Maria-ioanna984, no talks with Megatron yet, but soon! To Cao dreams in books, God I love how nuts you are. XD Soundwave hugs you back! Data feelers and all! And good luck fighting Antaeus and Arachnid, my moneys on you. ;}

Special thanks to Neko no Kami for beta reading this chapter and the last one. Sorry it forgot to mention it in chapter 25, and I'm sorry I sent you this one so early in the morning (without first proof reading it myself. I know the point of a beta reader is to check those mistakes for you, but I don't want to give you all the work. If that makes sense at all… .).

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any stocks, trades, or licensing from the Transformers franchise. All rights are reserved for HASBRO entertainment.

MERCY

Chapter 26

Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow,

A poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more.

-William Shakespeare's Macbeth

The med-bay was quiet this late in the day. Once Soundwave was settled back into his resting area and Knockout had calmed himself, Breakdown made the decision to leave once more. He didn't tell his mate that he was actually going to see Megatron to set up a scheduled audience. The larger mech walked away from the bay doors with a heavy feeling of concern in his tanks. If he had his way with anything he would chose to stay by Knockout's side at all times, but if Breakdown wanted to secure their future together, he needed to put his plan into action. He did not intend to go behind his partner's back, but he would do his best not to speak to Megatron in full detail. Not until he was sure everyone affected by the warfare laws had the chance to voice their opinions.

The former wrecker was nearly halfway around the corner of the first corridor, before he was stopped by, what he described in his mind, a gaggle of Eradicons loitering in the hall. The moment the large group saw their superior appear before them they all jumped to their pedes and surrounded the higher officer.

"Officer Breakdown!" One drone called out as the others chimed in to ask other questions, some even in unison.

"Have you seen a small Vehicon brought into the med-bey?!"

"Is he okay?!"

"Is he conscious?!"

"Is there anything we can do to help you and Medical Officer Knockout?!"

Eventually one drone stepped forward and stood out from the rest of the group. He gently shooed his comrades aside and stood in front of the befuddled mech. No one predicted that the lone Eradicon would take of his battle visor without prompting and expose his identity, his one keepsake before the hire officer. His expression was that of anguish upon a very standard faceplate, and as the tears he tried to withhold in his optics finally escaped he knelt humbly onto one knee.

"Forgive our excitement Officer Breakdown…" He spoke softly and bowed his helm. "The small drone we speak of is someone we have watched over for a long time. We have heard through the open channels that the young Vehicon drone CA-591-AN was caught up in a cave-in on earth. We didn't find him with the double digits, and… I… Well, we are all just fearing the worst, because we have not found him there."

The visor-less flier glanced back up at Breakdown and did his best to control his emotions. He had bright red optics similar to Knockout's, so it became difficult for the blue mech to be objective to him. "Please…" The Eradicon pleaded. "Please say he is with you and Officer Knockout…"

"All of you…?" Breakdown switched his helm all around him and looked at every glooming visor that stared back at him. "All of you are here for Cass?"

Suddenly the heavy vale of silence was uplifted by a ray of hope. Breakdown had called their young ward by name, which could only mean one thing. Everyone clambered closer to the former wrecker and mumbled quietly over their soul filled jubilation. Before anyone could get close enough to really voice anything else the Eradicon that had removed his mask stood with his arms out in an attempt to keep everyone at bay. With his wide red optics he managed to calm the crowd so he could return his attention to his superior.

"Sir…? Does this mean…? Caspian is with you? Is he safe?"

"I…" The larger mech stammered, still amazed by the apparent following the smallest mech on the ship had collected. "Well… First everyone slow down take a deep intake. When I'm sure everyone is settled, I will discuss everything I know with you. Can you do that for me please?"

Every single flier followed the instructions they were given, but now that there was a hint of excitement around them it was difficult for everyone to calm themselves in tandem as Breakdown was hoping for. Eventually the air around them began to thin and everyone even took another step back to give the higher officer a little more room. When the whirling and clicking sounds of every Eradicon's cooling vents had slowed, Breakdown turned his attention back to the red eyed flier.

"What is your designation?" He asked.

"80-881. I am the only full digit drone on the ship."

"I'm guessing most of your comrades call you Bobbi, huh?" The drone before him again bowed his helm sadly and Breakdown surprised himself with how guilty he felt. "I'm sorry. Have I said something wrong?"

"No sir…" The drone responded remorsefully. It wasn't his intention to upset the blue mech, but it had been a long time since he heard anyone call him that. "My brethren call me Bob… Caspian is the only one that calls me Bobbi."

"I see." Breakdown sighed. "Well Bob, I can understand your concerns… All of your concerns." He tilted his frame and gestured to the sea of drones, then paused in the middle of his explanation. "And to answer your question… Yes, Vehicon drone Caspian is currently resting in the higher officers med-bay."

Again, everyone tussled in place and were on the verge of becoming excited again, but Breakdown quickly put up his servos and attempted to hush the crowd once more. "At the moment, the young mech is injured, but he is resting comfortably. That being said, he is not ready for visitors."

"Sir?" Bob stepped forward again. "Would it be to forward of me to offer you my personal comm link? Would you be willing to inform us when Caspian is alert?"

"You may give me your link Eradicon," the higher officer opened a panel on his arm and waited for the drone to give him the same gesture, "but I can't promise anyone that you will be the first to know anything. There is a good chance none of you will be left in the dark either way."

As the lead drone of the group exchanged information with Breakdown, he wondered what the large mech actually meant by that. But enough time had been wasted, and Bob was just glad to get any the information he could. Once he was finished giving away his comm link, the flier turned to face his comrades. "That is all we can do for Caspian for the time being. Everyone return to your posts and wait for my announcement."

"Yes Bob." The group said in a near unison before sadly scattering in opposite directions. Their designated frontrunner was about to put his visor back on and join them, but Breakdown laced his servo over his shoulder. The former wrecker did his best to be careful with his large hand as it nearly engulfed the top half of the drones frame. Poor Bob couldn't hold back his blush when the thick metallic digits accidently cupped over one side of his chassis.

"Oh!" Breakdown quickly removed his hand when he realized the mistake he made. "I'm sorry… I just wanted to ask you a few questions. About Caspian, if you don't mind."

"I…" Embarrassed and conflicted, Bob tilted his helm away and folded his servos against the glass over his chest. "Because of my programing Officer Breakdown, I cannot deny your request… But the need to also protect Caspian is almost as overwhelming." He glanced back up at the taller mech with woe in his red optics. "If you really must ask, please tell me one thing. Even if it's a lie, please tell me that this is to benefit Caspian's wellbeing."

"My partner and I have put in too much effort to keep him alive as it is." Breakdown felt his faceplate gently heat and briefly wondered if that was the reason Bob was put to the front of the crowd. As if they all knew he would be taken aback by how similar the flier's glowing eyes were to his mates'. "If it helps put your processor at ease, I have discovered a few things about the young model that may benefit your knowledge. What do you say to an equivalent exchange? Info for info."

"That is very fair of you sir," the Eradicon sighed, "thank you. But this isn't the best place for a discussion. If you have time now there is a maintenance area down the end of this hall. We can talk there."

"Lead the way." The larger mech agreed. His original plan to speak with Megatron could wait for just a while longer. He didn't look forward to speaking to the warlord after the news he recently received anyway. Bob replaced his mask after he bowed respectfully then nodded in the direction the two of them should walk in.

Two or three of the Eradicons had straggled behind the others in front of them, so they unintentionally eavesdropped on Bob and Breakdown's last words. They didn't even consider following them since they had enough trust in Bob to keep everyone equally informed. The last flier to turn the corner at the opposite side of the hall waved goodbye to his companions at the next fork. He had duties to take care of on the other side of the ship, so he had a longer distance to walk, and once he was alone, he was the first and only to notice something odd.

Just out of everyone's line of sight there was a small storage unit for emergency supplies. Easy enough for a group of troops to ignore, but for an individual it was hard not to spot. Especially when there was something inside making a shuffling noise, and there was a tinted blue light glowing below the door. There was really no call for the lone Eradicon to look inside. No one asked, or told him he needed to inspect the room, but his curiosity compelled him to open the door.

"Hello?" He stepped in with a respectful amount of caution. "Is anyone in here?" His helm jolted to the corner of the very confined room. Behind a large fully stocked shelf bolted tight against the wall there was brighter luminescent glow.

"Is that you Aden?" The flier felt more at ease, believing the glow was just a handheld playing earth videos. Some of the Vehicons tend to hide in units like this to watch what was technically contraband on the ship. Aden was the rebel in the mix that was the most frequently caught. The Eradicon moved closer to the shelf and even felt relaxed enough to take off his visor. "You probably shouldn't stay in here for too long. You're very close to the higher officer's dormi—MM!"

He didn't even reach the end of the shelves before he was grappled and smothered against the opposite wall. When he caught his equilibrium, he felt a servo over his dermas and another constricting his air vent so tightly he choked. The confused drone's helm was pushed to the side and he discovered he was right. The light did come from a handheld that was thrown to the ground, but it wasn't playing any media forum. It was obviously programmed for some sort of observation software. Whomever had him pinned was spying on someone, and he knew right away that it was the group he was in not too long ago that was being monitored.

"Don't move…!" His attacker threatened him immediately and forced his forearm aggressively between the Eradicon's wings. "If you try and fight me right now, so help me Primus, I will snap your spinal column in two…!"

"Mm! Mm!" The frightened mech struggled for only a moment before settling into his captivity. It finally sunk in for him. He knew who was behind him, threatening him, and he whispered his name in horror when the servo over his oral cavity slipped away in an eerily tender manner. "A-Antaeus…"

"Very good…" The higher ranked drone growled hotly into the back of the smaller drone's neck-cables. "You're little Tristian, correct? I apologize for the sudden brawl. I was not expecting visitors."

Antaeus's hold on Tristian loosened, but he didn't lift his servos away. As his long digit hands slid further down his captive's body, he inched his frame close enough to touch each other. Tristan placed his servos flat on the wall aligned with his helm. This wasn't the first time he encountered the immoral mech in a situation similar to this, and the memory of such horridness compelled him to freeze in place. The poor mech was too shocked to move, and he didn't even bother trying to call for help. He knew from his previous experience that Antaeus set up communication jammers in the room.

"No…!" Tristian whimpered when the larger mech's servo grazed the inside of his thighs, but he quickly swallowed his vocals. If he was quiet and just accepted what was about to happen, it would be over with quickly. The pain wouldn't be as severe and he could go back to his group, so he could warn them about what he had found. But in order to do this right he was going to have to play dumb and pretend he didn't see anything. Not just for his sake, but for Cass.

"Now, now my trooper… Don't fuss." Antaeus teased while he licked and nipped one of Tristian's wings. "I'm still trying to decide what I'm going to do with you. Hmmm… Have you washed recently? You have a delightful sent this evening."

The smaller flier closed his violet optics, and nervously nodded his helm. His air vents wavered unsteadily when his leg struts were pushed apart. Tristian clung to the wall and sobbed into the cold structure. He was so disgusted by the General Officer's touch, but the feeling to purge was stuck in the base of his tanks. It was painful, but he pushed through it.

"Mmmm…" The taller mech's engines rumbled as he nuzzled his lip-plates over the shivering audios. "What to do…? What to do…? Last time you and I spent time together like this… You were very compliant. In fact, you were one of my favorites. We could spend more time like that right now. You have been a very good boy for me since then."

Again, Tristian nodded his helm nervously, and even pushed his aft against Antaeus's pelvic plating. He hoped that if he showed some sort of enthusiasm, then he could hurry his torment along and just leave. He just wanted to leave.

"Ohhh… Eager, are we?" Antaeus rubbed against the frame offered to him and licked the side of Tristian's face. "Okay then… But before we start, I need you to tell me something… Does anyone know you stopped by here?"

The smaller flier shuddered, but he answered. He never should've shook his helm.

The minute he replied honestly Tristian had sealed his fate. "Uhn!" His helm flew backwards into Antaeus's shoulder. His optics flew open and his vision flashed into a temporary blindness, but when the bright light dissolved everything became clear. He never saw it coming. The smell of burning wires, the luminescent shine of his own energon splashed on the wall in front of him, and the servo protruding from his spark chamber. The servo that Antaeus forced through his back.

"I'm sorry my pet…" He moaned while he dragged his lip-plates over Tristian's brow as he gasped violently for air. "But I'm afraid I don't have time to indulge in our pleasures… Either way, I was going to end up inside of you."

Antaeus backed away and when he dropped both his arms to his sides, Tristian fell to the ground. As he bled out onto the floor, he watched as his murderer collected his things and walked over to the door.

"Ick… Looks like I need a wash now. You made such a mess." He glanced back once more at the dying drone and before he left, he blew Tristian a goodbye kiss. "Farewell and adieu my pet… So unfortunate you were simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time."

"COUGH!" Tristian choked on his cycled energon one last time. He didn't feel any more pain, just the cold. In the end he got what he asked for. It was quick, and he wouldn't have to suffer for long. With the last of his strength, Tristian stretched his arm out towards the door, or the direction he thought the door was in, and said his last words. "C-Cass… Caspian… You… You were… My light…" Quietly and alone, he slipped away in the dark room.

"Commander?" A voice called out for Soundwave in the distance, but all he could see was darkness. It was a familiar voice. A sweet voice that he had been deprived of hearing for too long. It was so sweet. So warm. He needed to hear it once more. Just one more time. "Commander Soundwave? You have been in recharge long enough… Time to rise."

The third in command sighed in relief for the first time in a month. He thought maybe he was smiling, but he couldn't really tell since he wasn't all that alert yet. Maybe if he heard that warm voice one more time, he would finally be fully awake. "Please wake up Commander…" He wasn't disappointed. "I have been without you for too long. Please wake up."

The light of the med-bey gradually peered through the darkness and with it emerged the soft, and kind smile of his youngling. Cass had awaken sometime before Soundwave and had gathered enough strength to sit up in his berth. With a little help from Knockout, he maneuvered his Commander's helm into his lap.

The young model had seen better days. He was obviously still tired and weak from being immobile for so long, but he appeared to be at ease with the position he was in. Apart from that, his faceplate had a few random scratches, one of his arms was welded into a metallic sling, and his ped (though Soundwave could not see it from where he was still lying) was booted in multiple iron clasps. But despite how rugged and tired Cass appeared above him, it was still the most beautiful sight Soundwave had ever woken up to.

"Cccc…" He opened his oral cavity to speak, but his voice box crackled frighteningly with static. Cass placed his free servo worriedly over Soundwave's fore-helm and hushed over his small winces of pain.

"Try not to speak physically yet." Knockout stepped out from the corner of the room. He had just finished mixing a concoction for the silent mech to drink. "If you need to communicate, use telepathy until your vocals heal." Cass took the glass from the medic when he gestured, he could use the help. When his servos were free Knockout reached under Soundwave's berth and gently adjusted it, so he was sitting up right. He continued to lecture the third in command as he took the glass back from his other patient. "Sip on this in the meantime. It's just low-grade mixed with oil. Let me know later on if you feel overheated at all and I will also bring you some coolant."

Soundwave took the glass with a weary grasp, but Cass was more than happy to help him hold it. While the navy blue mech sipped on the brew the smaller mech leaned in closer and nuzzled their fore helms together. They barely had to say a word to each other. As long as they knew they were both safe, they were content. Knockout watched them with a new understanding to their closeness. His sparkling wasn't even developed past a month, but that protective need to keep him close… It was instant and astounding.

"Ahem!" The red mech coughed when he realized he was ogling the two in front of him for too long. "I need to step out for a while. Now that the two of you are up you can keep an eye on each other while I take care of some errands. I won't be gone long. Just the right amount of time for say… Oh, the amount of time it takes someone to monologue a life story."

Although Knockout couldn't see it, he could feel the awkward grimace building under the glass over the telepath's chin. The thought of it alone was enough to make the medic snicker. "Remember, not a single physical word. Not for at least two days. You'll keep and optic on him for me, won't you Cass?"

"Mm-hm…" Cass didn't even move his helm. He was still comfortable where he was, and so was Soundwave.

"Alright, I'll be going now." Knockout stretched as he sauntered over to the bay doors. "Stay in your berths, and no strenuous activity… Whatsoever!"

"Doctor." The third in command alerted the medic with his only form of communication. "Instructions: Understood. Soundwave: Vehicon drone CA-591-AN: Left to own devices."

"Okay. Okay." The red mech stepped outside the room. "Like I said, I won't be gone long, so get talkin' while you have the chance. Buh-bye!" He waved before the doors closed, finally leaving the two in peace.

The silence that followed Knockout's absence was welcomed amiably. When Soundwave non-verbally asked Cass to set the glass of low-grade aside, the younger mech wrapped his good arm around his Commander's neck. The telepath smiled and caressed his servos over the arm and shoulder wrapped over him. If he had control of the universe at all, he would stay in that silence for the rest of the day, but reality was bitter-sweet. He sighed one more time and kissed Cass on his fore helm before he sat up right.

"Careful Commander." Cass whispered softly. "Don't strain yourself. We have time to heal."

"Negative." Soundwave emitted from his processor. "No time. Time: Determined for inevitable resolve."

"Commander Soundwave?" The small mech tilted his helm, and his beautiful optics spun curiously. "I don't understand. Are you saying our time is up?"

"Negative." Despite Cass's physical protests with his one servo, Soundwave pushed himself up where he could hang his legs off the edge of the berth. This way he was able to face his ward… His youngling easier. "Our time: Beginning. However: Circumstances of past. Must be confessed."

"I still don't understand. Are you talking about my past, or—?"

Cass never knew that the clicking sound of an optical visor could have the power to take away all of the air in his intakes. Soundwave had removed the last bit of his glass visor and exposed the rest of his faceplate. The main portion of his face he refused to reveal to anyone, not even to his most trusted of assistance, was now open and in plain view.

"C-Commander Soundwave…!" The horrified Vehicon covered his lip-plates in shocked empathy. "Your…! Your optics…! How—!"

"Time: Is now… Caspian." The telepath wouldn't allow his youngling to ask too many questions. There was so much he needed to tell him, and he had waited long enough. "It is time: To know Soundwave's story."

-END-