Author's Notes: You guys have probably noticed that my updates have been less frequent lately. Well, to be honest, I just needed a break from fanfiction for a while. I still love my stories, and I especially love that they've made people so happy, but for a while I just needed to work on projects that were based off my own world building. It can be hard to write something you feel like you have no ownership over, whether it be characters, settings, etc. I can't give up on my fanfics, because there are too many ideas in my head still, but I just needed a break to work on things that are just mine, whether anyone reads them or not. Thank you for your patience, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter of "My Spark Still Shines" :)
Chapter 50
When The Music Stops
Soundwave sat at his usual station monitoring for Autobot activity, Laserbeak secured snugly to his chassis. Soundwave felt lighter than usual this evening, at least in the literal sense. Frenzy wasn't in his usual place on Soundwave's shoulders again. This was the third time this week, according to earth measurements of time. Soundwave always felt light compared to how he felt since he had all of his symbiotes by his side, but Frenzy being away made that feeling even stronger.
The reason was Blaster…again. Soundwave knew that the Vehicon Frenzy claimed as his friend was the former Autobot Blaster, and this knowledge ate away at his spark like scraplets on a carcass. Blaster, in his previous life, had been the chief propagandist for the Autobots during the war on Cybertron. Most Autobots were merely targets to be disposed of for Megatron, but Soundwave found Blaster personally offensive. While most Autobots fought for their cause, Blaster did something worse. He tried to convert Decepticons to the Autobot way of thinking.
The Autobots could not be allowed to become powerful again. Having a Prime as their leader, someone who supported privilege without strength, went against everything Soundwave believed as a Decepticon. Blaster's voice over the public comm systems had done more to undermine Megatron's rule than any number of weapons could have, and it was an orn of celebration for Soundwave when Blaster and his miserable symbiotes were thrown into the Vehicon converter. The mech that had been known as 'the voice' was silenced at last.
He thought his troubles with that overgrown boombox were over after that. He thought Blaster would never reach another spark again.
He was wrong.
Frenzy, while old by Cybertronian standards, was still relatively young when Blaster was captured. Frenzy didn't understand the dangers of giving that Vehicon any semblance of dignity. Soundwave feared that the shell of his former enemy could regain itself, that Blaster could once again live if his memories returned to him. Frenzy assured him that such a thing wouldn't happen, but Soundwave wasn't so sure.
Even as he sat there stewing in his own thoughts, Soundwave was purging files on Blaster, Eject, and Rewind. He couldn't risk anyone finding them. He couldn't risk Blaster finding them. He purged audio recordings, music, prisoner files, and more. He would silence 'the voice' once and for all, even if he had to wipe out all of the Autobot's history to do it.
Fowler and June sat together in a cramped office at a top secret military base. June fretted and worried over Jack and the others, and Fowler felt powerless to help her. He didn't know where any of the 'Bots went, and he knew that was the way it should be. The Decepticons probably had everything from their computers to their toothbrushes bugged, so the less humanity knew about the Autobots the better. Still, it didn't chase away the fear everyone felt for the human children, since they couldn't be located, either with any Autobots or anywhere near the wreckage of the ruined city.
"We need to go back to Jasper," June insisted, "If Jack was going to look for me that's where he would go."
"No can do," Fowler said firmly, "The place is crawling with 'Cons. Besides, Jack is probably safe with the 'Bots."
"Then why hasn't he called me?" June cried out, her breath hitching midway, "I just know something bad has happened to him."
"Don't worry, June. Radio silence doesn't mean anything bad happened," Fowler reassured her, "It just means he can't risk the 'Cons tracking him down. I'm sure Optimus, Arcee, and the others are looking out for him."
Just as June was about to say something else, the conversation was interrupted by a private running into the room.
"Sir, there's three vehicles with suspicious energy signatures headed this way!" The private shouted.
"Road or air?" Fowler demanded to know.
"Road, sir," The private replied.
"Alright then," Fowler nodded, "Open the gates, but have troops aiming for the entrance just in case."
"Yes, sir!"
With that the private ran off to carry out the orders, and Fowler sighed deeply.
"Well…that's either the 'Bots, or some 'Cons," Fowler surmised, "Either way, we have our work cut out for us."
"Oh, I hope Jack is with them," June said pensively, "I'm coming with you."
"Oh, no you're not," Fowler protested, "There could be a battle."
"Yes, but there could also be wounded," June pointed out, "I'm going with you."
Fowler, deciding it wasn't worth his time to argue with a civilian at the moment, just shook his head and let June follow him out the door. He just hoped that whatever was out there wasn't there to kill them.
Blaster and Frenzy were dancing to the music from Blaster's vast new collection of downloaded songs. Among the things that were contraband for Vehicons to own, music was one of the most prohibited but likewise the most coveted. Blaster loved being allowed this special honor. Apparently it paid to be the favorite of one of Soundwave's symbiotes.
A Nebulon harvest song had just ended, and the randomizer Blaster installed selected the next track. It was a Cybertronian song from the Golden Age, yet despite its age the music sounded familiar somehow.
Just one shot, and the party gets started
Just one shot, and you believe you can fly
Just one look, and you know you can't resist it
Just one drink, and your life passes you by
Blaster and Frenzy rocked out to the screaming lyrics, but even as he listened Blaster started to see images flash across his processor's memory retrieval system. They weren't the typical daydreams of glory and battling Autobots. Instead he saw…a Praxian?
Blaster stopped dancing and sat down, holding his helm in his servo. Frenzy didn't notice and continued to dance, but Blaster had to process what his mind was trying to tell him.
Careful, Eject! If the officers find out we're using the official channels to listen to old fringe music we're going to get in trouble…
Ah, shut up, Rewind! Sometimes when you want something you have to swing for the fences…
The voices felt clearer than they had in a long time. They were voices and names from his dreams, the very dreams that indicated he was malfunctioning. If his processor was becoming more corrupt then soon the medic would probably have to euthanize him.
What are you listening to, gentlemechs?
Ah! Prowl, sir, we were just… It was all Rewind's idea!
Gee, thanks, Eject. You're a wonderful brother.
Actually, I rather enjoy this song. It reminds me of simpler times…
"Hey, Blaster? Blaster!" Frenzy called out to him after a moment, "Hey, what's with you mech? You look like you just saw Megatron in the wash racks."
The joke flew over Blaster's helm, and he just sat there contemplating the situation he found himself in. Did he trust Frenzy enough to let him know something was wrong with his processor? He was meant to help keep Frenzy sane, and yet he was going crazy himself. How could he do his job if he was so incompetent?
"Blaster?" Frenzy called again, more concerned this time.
"Sir, I think you should replace me," Blaster said solemnly.
"What are you talking about?" Frenzy scoffed, "That's stupid. Why would I replace my best friend?"
"Because I don't deserve this job," Blaster confessed, "I am defective. I hear things that aren't real, and I have dreams about mechs that don't exist. You need me to help you see reality, and yet I cannot do that myself. I am good only for scrap metal now. I'm sorry, sir."
"Well…what did you see?" Frenzy inquired.
"I hear voices from the past, but it's a past I know didn't happen," Blaster explained, "I hear names sometimes. I remember them now. Rewind and Eject."
"You remember Eject?" Frenzy asked intently.
"That's one of the names, yes," Blaster confirmed, "Forgive me for not telling you sooner. I know defective Vehicons must be recycled for parts. All you need to do is give the order, and I will turn myself in for deconstruction."
"I ain't giving that order," Frenzy growled, a fire in his visor that few rarely saw, "You're not getting smelted or torn apart! You're not crazy, and you don't deserve to die even if you are!"
"Yes I do!" Blaster insisted, "I'm taking up too many resources. I'm taking a job that could go to a better drone, and I'm taking energon when energon is so scarce. I can't live this lie anymore!"
"Then don't live it!" Frenzy screamed, his spark filled with sorrow and rage, "Don't live the lie. Live the truth. You wanna know what's real? Huh? You! You're real, and I'm real, and Thundercracker is real, and Eject is real, and every Vehicon is real! I know what seeing illusions looks like. I know what paranoia and defective processing looks like. You're not crazy."
"What are you talking about?" Blaster asked in confusion.
"You wanna know?" Frenzy snapped, "Then follow me. I'll show you exactly what I mean."
With that Frenzy marched out of the room, stomping and huffing in barely suppressed fury. It wasn't just Blaster he was upset for, but himself as well. Being defective was not a good reason to invalidate one's existence. He knew he was worthy to live, and he knew Blaster was too. All he had to do was show Blaster the archives on Eject and Rewind, and then Blaster would know he wasn't insane.
Fowler drove out to meet the troops and whichever mechs had come knocking on their doorstep. June was in the passenger seat, hoping more than anything that Jack would be with them. Fowler didn't know what they would find, but he was preparing himself for the worst.
When Fowler's Jeep pulled up to the entrance, he saw three blue vehicles. One was a sports car, one was a pickup truck, and one was a motorcycle. June got out of the car even before Fowler had completely stopped and ran up to them! She knew what seeing them meant. That motorcycle was Arcee, which meant that Jack had to be nearby.
"June!" Fowler snapped as he quickly put the Jeep in park and ran after her, "Be careful! You could've been run over!"
June wasn't listening however. She ran faster as the Autobots transformed. She stopped however when she realized what their transformation meant. There were no passengers with them. Jack wasn't there…
"June," Arcee greeted her in a muted tone, as if surprised to see her, "Is Jack here too?"
"No, I thought he was with you," June said almost accusingly.
"We haven't seen the kids in days," Arcee informed her, "We were supposed to pick them up the day of the attack, but we never made it to the school. We…we don't know what happened to them."
June was silent, and so was Arcee. They both knew this meant the children could have died during the attack on Jasper. Of course, they also could have been evacuated, but finding them again would be no easy task.
"We have bigger cubes to fill right now," Chromia cut through the silence, "You guys military?"
"Yes, Carrier. This is agent Fowler. He works for this nation's government," Arcee explained, "If he's going to land anywhere, it'll be here."
"If who's going to land?" Fowler asked, "What's going on here, 'Bots?"
"Only the greatest military commander since Prowl!" Smokescreen exclaimed excitedly, "We got a comm from Commander Ultra Magnus! He said he's coming here! We were the closest to the coordinates he sent, which, um…happens to be right here. So…get ready, I guess."
Smokescreen deflated when he saw the withering glares of the femmes accompanying him. He loved the Wreckers, and he loved the legends told to him when training in the Elite Guard. He couldn't help but geek out a little over Ultra Magnus, but the others knew this wasn't good news. Cliffjumper and Ironhide were dead, Optimus Prime was missing, and the Autobots were scattered to the winds while the Decepticons plundered as they pleased. No, this wasn't so much the cavalry as it was the cleanup crew.
"He'll probably want us to evacuate the planet," Chromia speculated, "You know, as soon as we can find the other survivors."
"Evacuate? We can't leave!" Smokescreen protested, "Then who will kick Megabutt's tin can?"
"You still don't get what's happening, do you?" Arcee snapped, "We're not an army anymore. We're not even a unit! We're refugees trying to escape a genocide. If we don't leave then we can't regroup. We need more Autobots to fight Megatron, and they're not coming anytime soon."
"She's right, kid," Chromia confirmed, "We gotta get outta here."
"And leave earth in the hands of the Decepticons?" June suddenly asked, "You mean you're going to leave humanity to defend itself against an alien invasion? You can't be serious!"
"June, not now," Fowler whispered.
"If not now, then when?" June yelled at Fowler, "My son could be dead because of this stupid war! Are you telling me that doesn't matter to you?"
"Of course it matters!" Arcee shouted, "June…I'm scared for him too."
June could tell from the look in Arcee's crystal blue optics that she was sincere. Both of them were hurting, one for her son and the other for her best friend. Arcee offered a hand, and June hugged it. Nobody had answers at that moment, and they could only wait for the next card to play.
That card came a mere few moments later when a ship of alien origin cut through the clouds and began its descent to earth. The army officers looked on in awe as the Autobot shuttle made its landing, and the three Autobots there to greet him were relieved by a new face. With a strategic processor like Ultra Magnus on their team, perhaps now they would have a chance.
Fowler stood in front of the 'Bots to greet their new extraterrestrial visitor. He was grumpy and beleaguered when he met the first Autobots. He didn't want to make that mistake again, and therefore did his very best to look professional.
When the doors to the ship opened, there were two silhouettes in shadow. When they emerged the Autobots were shocked by what they saw. To the right was Ultra Magnus, proud and strong as ever, but to the left was a Vehicon! This Vehicon carried himself differently, seeming hyper-alert as he scouted the area. The real distinguishing feature about this Vehicon however was the paint. Just as Ultra Magnus was blue and orange, so this drone likewise was painted blue and orange, with a cyan visor.
"Chromia. It is an honor to see you once again," Ultra Magnus greeted who he assumed was in charge.
"Likewise, sir," Chromia replied with a clipped nod, "A lot has happened since Megatron rebuilt his Darkmount capital on earth. I assume you know part of it however, given your current traveling companion."
"Companion?" Ultra Magnus asked in confusion, "Oh, you are referring to Psyclone. Yes, he is a rogue drone that has been placed under my command."
"I like how you say rogue, sir," Psyclone drawled, "It sounds so much nicer than glitched."
Smokescreen snorted laughter, but when Ultra Magnus stared him down he went back to attention.
"Sir, it is an honor to meet you," Smokescreen said in a formal tone, "We await your orders."
"At ease, cadet," Ultra Magnus ordered, "For now I would like to speak with the native life forms about current defense capabilities on the planet. Is there a representative available?"
"Agent William Fowler, at your service," Fowler interjected, "I have been given full authority by the United States government to act as mediary for human/Bot relations. I'd say we have a lot to discuss."
"Perfect," Ultra Magnus replied approvingly, "Psyclone, guard the ship. I will return shortly."
"By shortly he means this'll take forever," Psyclone joked, "Eh, I don't mind. I like guard duty. Gives me time to watch local broadcasts. I heard this planet has already discovered animation."
As the Vehicon made his way inside and Ultra Magnus followed Fowler, June and the other three 'Bots felt left out of the proceedings. Arcee's processor was still on the new Vehicon though. Ultra Magnus likely didn't know how deep the Vehicon conspiracy went, and Arcee wondered if this Vehicon was truly free or if it was using the situation to spy on Ultra Magnus. It seemed very alert mere moments before, but then put on a facade of joviality when Ultra Magnus was gone. What was going on with that new drone?
"It ain't here…It ain't here!"
Frenzy frantically typed on the main computer, several Vehicons leaving the room amid the tantrum the minicon was having. Blaster wondered what could have been so important on that computer that Frenzy would be so upset.
"They're gone…they're all gone," Frenzy muttered as he searched, "Eject…Blaster. Everything has been wiped clean! Why would he do this to me?!"
"Who did what?" Blaster asked obliviously.
"Soundwave," Frenzy admitted, his voice small and defeated, "Only he has the capabilities and passwords to erase identification records like this. Why is he…? Oh no. I know what's going on."
"What?" Blaster asked, the anticipation and dread gnawing at him.
"He never did like you," Frenzy shook his head in disbelief, "Soundwave is getting rid of evidence because he's afraid you'll regain your memories. He might even try to kill you if this gets outta hand."
"Soundwave wants to kill me?" Blaster asked, surprisingly calm in that moment, "Well, it makes sense. I told you I was defective and taking up too many resources. Maybe he should turn myself in."
Frenzy clenched his fists and grit his denta. He growled in frustration, realizing how blind he had been to his creator's intentions. Soundwave knew Blaster was his friend, yet he would still put his own personal grudge ahead of his symbiote's happiness.
No, it wasn't just a personal grudge. This was about Decepticon supremacy. Soundwave was doing this out of loyalty for Megatron and the Decepticon cause. That sounded noble to Frenzy on the surface, but he knew Blaster had been little more than a disc jockey even during the war. His symbiotes were dead, and he would soon join them if Frenzy didn't do something. What could he do though? He was only one mech.
"Blaster, you can't stay here," Frenzy declared, "You gotta go."
"Yes, sir. What is my mission?" Blaster asked.
"No Blaster, I mean you gotta leave. Forever," Frenzy said somberly, "You deserve to be free just as much as I do."
"No I don't," Blaster argued, "That's Autobot talk."
"Autobot?" Frenzy asked, confused.
"Yeah. Those soft sparks are the ones who say 'Freedom is the right of all sentient beings'. They think everything matters, from organics to elites to talking rocks. Their unwillingness to take advantage of their environment is what makes them weak. Megatron says so."
"Yeah, he does," Frenzy replied wistfully, "Megatron is a wise mech, but he ain't perfect. Nobody is. I guess in that regard we are all equal. Well…I need to think, but we don't have time for that. We need to leave."
"We?" Blaster asked pointedly, "I thought you said I needed to leave."
Frenzy couldn't reply at that moment. All he could do was look up at the faceless helm that contained the processor of the legendary 'voice' of the Autobots. Could the Autobots be right? Was freedom a right that the weak and the strong should share? Did Blaster deserve rights even though he let himself get turned into a drone? Frenzy knew the answer deep in his spark, but he didn't want to admit it.
Eject died not due to his weakness, but due to his loyalty. He was loyal to Blaster, and even to Frenzy in their final moments. Eject would have been kind to Frenzy even if he was a sniveling organic, because that's who Eject was. Frenzy liked that about him, because it was so different from everything Frenzy had ever seen in his life.
Corrupt gladiator owners, scheming Decepticon soldiers, bigger badder mechs that thought they owned the universe. Everyone had an agenda, and Frenzy was usually just their pawn. There were only a few Frenzy dared call worthy of his trust: Soundwave, his siblings, and Eject. Now Blaster was on that list, and he could very well die because of it.
Frenzy walked out of the room, and Blaster walked behind him. Blaster didn't know where they were going, and little did he know that Frenzy had no idea either. Frenzy blocked his spark bond so that Laserbeak and Soundwave wouldn't be able to track him. It would only be a matter of time before they realized he wasn't there, and he had to be off the ship before that happened. He was running away, and he was taking Blaster with him. Where they would go, only time would tell.
As Frenzy and Blaster made their way through the ship, Frenzy realized they would have to go past the guards to get out. They would log the time and location of Frenzy's departure, and they might even be able to note which direction Frenzy and Blaster went. He couldn't have that. Then again he couldn't go through a space bridge. Soundwave monitored those, just as he did everything else on the ship. How could Frenzy help Blaster escape in a way that couldn't be traced?
As they walked down the corridor near the medbay, Knockout came through the door with a pensive scowl on his faceplate and a spark rate monitor attached to his dented chassis.
"One side, shiny!" Frenzy snapped as he walked past him.
"Frenzy, I haven't seen you in a while," Knockout commented smoothly, "Has your processor glitch given you any trouble?"
"I'm fine!" Frenzy snapped again, "We're busy, now get lost!"
"Where are you two going?" Knockout asked.
"None of your business," Frenzy replied impatiently, "Come on, Blaster! Let's go."
"Blaster?" Knockout repeated, "Interesting. That's the drone Soundwave ordered me to dismantle. I assumed that was scheduled for tomorrow."
This caused Frenzy and Blaster to stop in unison.
"Dismantle?" Frenzy shouted incredulously, "What do you mean, dismantle? Soundwave didn't tell me anything about that!"
"No? Well he indicated that the drone was malfunctioning and needed to be recycled. Of course, I don't make it a point to question Soundwave. If that isn't the problem, then where are you going?"
"They can't kill Blaster!" Frenzy cried out in panic, "He's my friend! Just because he's getting his memories back don't mean he deserves to die! He can't help it if he used to be an Autobot! I won't let you take him! I won't let anybody take him!"
"Autobot?" Knockout pondered, "So, that's what this is about. If Soundwave goes to Megatron about this, then no one will be able to protect him. Not even you, Frenzy."
Frenzy's rage lasted a few seconds more, but it soon gave way to cleaning fluid dripping from his visor. He slumped on the ground, on his knees, and looked down at the ground.
"It ain't fair…" Frenzy whimpered, "…I can't lose another one. I watched my brothers die. I watched Eject die. I can't lose Blaster too. I know it's treason, but what can I do? This ain't fair…"
"I should just turn myself in," Blaster said soberly, "An officer should not be made to suffer because of a drone. I am defective, sir. You have done everything you could. I am not afraid to die."
"You would be if you understood what's happened to you," Frenzy countered, "You don't even know. You're an Autobot, Blaster. You're an enemy. You're…you're my friend. It ain't right, but it's true. The music is giving you back your memories, and you don't deserve to die because of that. This is all my fault."
Blaster rubbed Frenzy's back as he sat on his knees crying. Frenzy wanted to fight, wanted to hurt someone and bash his problems away, but it wouldn't work. Soundwave, Megatron, Knockout…it didn't matter who was targeting Blaster. Frenzy couldn't fight against his own faction, not even for this.
"Frenzy, could you and Blaster come into my office?" Knockout requested, "I only have a few breems before Starscream comes back in to check on my recovery and that blasted synth-en formula."
Freny sighed, not wanting to obey the doctor. He considered making a run for it, but Blaster followed Knockout without question, so Frenzy running away would have no point. As Frenzy followed Knockout and Blaster, he couldn't help but feel a sense of doom as he looked over the lab and the various medical instruments. He used to be afraid for himself, but being afraid for someone else actually made him feel even more helpless.
"Alright, now let's stand here," Knockout pointed to a dark corner of the room.
"Why?" Frenzy asked skeptically.
"I'll explain in a moment," Knockout said cryptically, "Now, quickly."
Frenzy didn't like the doc's demanding tone, but at least their first stop wasn't the surgery berth. Frenzy and Blaster huddled in the corner with Knockout, and Knockout looked up at the ceiling with a smirk.
"This is a blind spot in Soundwave's monitoring devices," Knockout whispered, "We need to be quiet, but Soundwave can't see us here."
"So?" Frenzy scoffed.
"So, I want to give you something…"
Knockout then opened a loose panel in the wall, revealing a small long rectangular device that looked similar to a flash drive.
"Breakdown and I used to love going racing together," Knockout said fondly, "These trips weren't authorized of course, so we would need to get a little…creative. This is a ground bridge scrambler. It will take you anywhere you want to go and then erase the data. The only problem is that you don't really get a choice as to your exact landing point. You can only specify within a 300 klik radius. I would suggest a spot without a lot of human activity."
"Wait, so…you're helping us escape?" Frenzy asked incredulously, "But…you know what this means. I'm leaving too. We're not coming back. For all you know we could join the Autobots."
"Well if you do, don't tell me," Knockout wryly replied, "Ignorance is bliss, after all."
"But…but why?" Frenzy asked as he stared down at the scrambler in his servos.
"I told you Frenzy, I want to be your friend," Knockout reminded him, "I promised you that when we started treating your processor glitch together. Besides, this whole Vehicons being Autobot thing, well…I must admit I find the concept rather vexing. I won't disobey Megatron, and I of course want to stay on the winning team, but…a lot of things have happened lately that have made me rethink my place in this universe. Like you, I have lost a lot of people I care about. I can understand why you want to save what you still have left. Go, and don't come back."
Frenzy wasted no time in dragging Blaster by the servo and running away. He didn't say goodbye to Knockout, but the medic knew Frenzy was grateful.
Knockout went to sit back down on the berth, still recovering from the jetpack fall despite his physical injuries being repaired by Starscream. So much was happening at once, and the Decepticons had just lost another officer to the Vehicon conspiracy. Dreadwing left, and now Frenzy. Knockout was beginning to wonder if the Decepticons were the winning team after all.