Chapter 2: Shifting Strategies

The hum of the command room's machinery was steady, but the atmosphere was anything but calm. Soundwave worked at the communications console, his hands moving with mechanical precision across the interface. On the surface, his actions appeared routine, ensuring the network was secure for Starscream's coronation. In reality, he was embedding falsified logs, rerouting energy readings, and finalizing preparations for his mission. Hangar Delta-4's schematics glowed on a secondary screen, the selected transport marked as undergoing maintenance—a perfect cover.

Behind him, Astrotrain lingered near the wall, his massive frame casting a long shadow in the dim light. At least five heads taller than Soundwave, the triple-changer's size was imposing, but his nervous movements betrayed his unease. His optics flicked toward Soundwave every so often, his hands fidgeting as though he feared the Communications Officer might suddenly turn his attention on him.

Before Soundwave could address Astrotrain's behavior, sharp footsteps echoed through the chamber. The sharp clatter of footsteps broke the silence as Starscream strode into the room, his movements brisk and purposeful. His sharp optics locked onto Soundwave, and his voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Soundwave," he snapped, his tone laced with suspicion. "What exactly are you doing?"

Without pausing, Soundwave tilted his head slightly toward Starscream. "Task: ensuring hangar operations remain functional. Objective: prevent system failure during coronation."

Starscream's optics narrowed as he approached, his hands clasping behind his back in a show of authority. "Hangar operations? No one is leaving the base. Why waste time on that?"

"Maintenance logs: incomplete," Soundwave replied in his calm monotone. "Operational integrity: critical. Coronation preparations: unaffected."

Starscream came to a stop directly in front of the console, his posture stiff and commanding. His optics flicked across the glowing screens, scrutinizing the data with a sharp, calculating gaze. Leaning slightly forward, his hands moved to rest on the console's edge as he studied the lines of information scrolling past. "Incomplete logs?" he sneered, his voice low and sharp. "Or something else? You always were loyal to Megatron, Soundwave. One has to wonder where that loyalty ends."

Soundwave remained motionless, his hands poised over the console's interface. "Current directive: efficiency maximized. Objective: prevent disruption."

Starscream straightened slightly, his optics narrowing as if trying to pierce through Soundwave's calm exterior. "You can't fool me. You were his most loyal subordinate. You don't even deny it! I know how much he trusted you… but he's not here anymore."

Soundwave's visor tilted slightly toward Starscream. "Statement: Megatron's absence—irrelevant. Priority: current leadership."

The words were neutral, precise, and devoid of emotion, but Starscream's paranoia deepened. He pointed sharply at the console. "Show me what you've been working on."

Soundwave's fingers moved smoothly across the interface, pulling up falsified maintenance logs and system diagnostics. "Logs: maintenance schedule active. Hangar systems: operational. Current task: network integrity."

Starscream leaned closer, his optics narrowing further as he examined the data on the screens. The information appeared flawless—routine operations, nothing more. Frustration flickered across his expression as he stepped back and folded his arms tightly across his chest. "Hmph," he muttered, his tone filled with suspicion. "Always so precise. Almost too precise."

Turning fully to face Soundwave, Starscream's optics burned with distrust. "Just know this: I'm watching you, Soundwave. My reign will not be undermined. If I catch even the slightest hint of betrayal…" He let the threat linger, his body tense as he stared Soundwave down.

"Affirmative," Soundwave replied, his tone as steady as ever.

Starscream lingered a moment longer, his optics boring into Soundwave's expressionless visor. Finally, with a sharp exhale, he pivoted on his heel and stalked toward the exit. "See to it that everything remains in order," he barked over his shoulder.

"Understood," Soundwave replied.

The tension in the room shifted as Starscream's sharp footsteps faded into the distance. Soundwave's hands moved steadily over the console, completing the last subroutine and locking the system into place. With the falsified logs secure and the transport in Hangar Delta-4 ready, his preparations were nearly complete. Satisfied, he turned from the console, his visor locking onto Astrotrain.

The triple-changer froze under Soundwave's gaze, his massive frame shrinking slightly as he backed against the wall. At five heads taller, Astrotrain usually commanded a room with his size alone, but against Soundwave's unyielding stare, he looked more cornered than commanding.

"Statement: fuel capacity during transit. Clarification: insufficient?" Soundwave's monotone voice cut through the silence like a blade.

Astrotrain's optics widened, his hands twitching at his sides. "I—I told you all on board," he stammered, his tone uneven. "I didn't have enough fuel to get us back to Cybertron."

"Correction: fabrication detected," Soundwave replied, stepping forward. "Physics dictate: momentum requires minimal fuel once velocity achieved. Trajectory ensured return without additional consumption."

Astrotrain's fists clenched as he tried to defend himself. "The weight—the damage to my systems—it wasn't as simple as you're making it sound!"

"Analysis: lies," Soundwave interrupted, his tone sharp and unyielding. He took another step closer, forcing Astrotrain to press himself further against the wall. "Fuel capacity logs: reviewed. Reserves: sufficient for return. Conclusion: motive—self-preservation."

Astrotrain's optics darted nervously, his voice trembling as he tried again. "Starscream said Megatron was finished! What was I supposed to do? We couldn't risk—"

"Judgment: not yours to make," Soundwave interrupted, his voice dropping colder. "Directive: Megatron leads. Deviation: unacceptable."

Astrotrain flinched, his optics darting wildly. For a moment, he looked ready to stay silent, but the weight of Soundwave's presence pushed him over the edge. "It wasn't all my idea," he muttered, his tone low and defensive.

Soundwave tilted his head slightly, his silence demanding elaboration.

Astrotrain shifted uneasily, his optics flicking away. When he spoke again, his words came faster, tumbling out like a dam had burst. "Starscream told me to say it!" he blurted. "He said carrying Megatron and the others would slow us down—make us vulnerable. He said it was the only way to protect the rest of us."

Astrotrain hesitated, wringing his hands as though trying to hold back the final admission. "And he… he promised me a promotion," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Said if I helped him take command, I'd move up in rank. It—it wasn't just me! He put me up to it!"

Soundwave remained perfectly still, his visor reflecting the dim light of the room. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm but carried an edge that made Astrotrain flinch. "Starscream's directive: logged. Compliance: unnecessary."

Astrotrain swallowed hard, his massive frame trembling slightly. "I didn't want to do it!" he stammered, desperation creeping into his voice. "You have to believe me. I didn't have a choice!"

Soundwave stepped back, his imposing presence giving Astrotrain just enough room to breathe. "Reminder: survival contingent on loyalty," he intoned. "Deviation: noted."

Astrotrain nodded quickly, his optics fixed on the floor. "Understood," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Satisfied, Soundwave turned and exited the command room. His confrontation with Astrotrain had achieved its purpose. The triple-changer was subdued, his guilt now a tool to be used if necessary. With the transport secured, Starscream's suspicions deflected, and Astrotrain effectively neutralized, Soundwave's preparations were complete.

As he moved through the corridors toward Hangar Delta-4, Soundwave's mind remained focused on the mission. Megatron's fate was uncertain, but retrieval was imperative. Starscream's coronation would proceed, but his reign would not last. Calculating, methodical, and unyielding, Soundwave would see to it that the Decepticons' true leader returned.

Silence was Soundwave's strategy, and his strategy was flawless.