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Megatron was gone. Now, this wasn’t anything new, his lord tended to leave quite often, on a trip for a relic or new allies, it was nothing new. His time of absence was also nothing to worry about, Megatron usually left for deca-cycles on end before even reporting his status, let alone returning. So why? Why did this time feel so different?
It was as if the ship was taunting him, security feed replaying the lack of silver storming down halls or resting in the throne room. Silence now ringing in his ear or Starscream's obnoxious decrees of Megatron betraying them and him being the new king. It was ridiculous, really.
So then, why was he so restless?
(Soundwave was not one to doubt his master, as multiple times he proved that he was the only mech in the seemingly vast universe that Soundwave could trust. And yet…)
Starscream would shout of Megatron’s betrayal, his lack of devotion to their cause, and normally Soundwave would shut him up. Either by playing a recording of Megatron’s voice or simply by staring him down (his personal favorite, if he was being honest). But this time, he couldn’t help but ponder if Starscream could be right (nothing new, of course. Despite the absurdities Starscream tends to shout he is not stupid, quite the opposite is to be said regarding the eccentric mech).
His job was to know, always be aware of the happenings regarding the Decepticons and the universe in general (a taxing task at times, but it always paid off). Of course Soundwave knew there was some logical basis to Starscream’s argument this time around. He had seen, as he always does, how Megatron had been…dull. Not shouting as often as he tended to or being distracted out on the battlefield. Soundwave had tried asking (out of concern or simple etiquette was unknown), but his lord simply refused to answer, demanding Soundwave return to work (even if it was meant to be his day off. A shame, truly).
After that, his unusual behavior only became more apparent. He stopped chasing after the Autobots, seemingly interested in following his own agenda. Megatron even asked Soundwave questions regarding the war and what they were even fighting for. Soundwave always replied the same way, replaying an audio clip of Megatron's declaration of freedom and equality.
Looking back, Soundwave should’ve done something about the way Megatron would tense at hearing those words (almost as if guilty he ever dared utter them. Ridiculous), sighing and walking off as if nothing had happened. Looking back, Soundwave should’ve done something about Megatron’s drive.
Not only was his lord less attentive to the war, he almost seemed to want to avoid it as a whole. As of late, before his departure, Megatron would let Starscream take control of their troops, manding of the ship, and everything else that entailed being leader of the Decepticons. Looking at it now, Soundwave couldn’t help but feel betrayed.
Megatron was gone, not on some expedition to find a way to give their side the upper hand or to simply find more Autobots to destroy. No, he had left to abandon everything they had built. It was clear now, that Megatron didn’t want any part in the war anymore, possibly growing tired of the stalemate they had been in for, what felt like, deca-vorns.
Soundwave couldn’t help but pause, fingers gliding over the keyboard he had been typing on.
Megatron, the bot he thought would never leave him, had left. What’s worse, his lord never even talked to him. If he had told Soundwave the way he was feeling, that he planned on leaving the war, he would have left with him without hesitating. Megatron knew this, surely. Afterall, Soundwave was by his side since the beginning, one of the first to even believe in him. Megatron knew Soundwave would never leave him. So why did he leave?
Was it possible he grew tired of Soundwave, too?
He knew he wasn’t the most fun bot to be around but he thought his relationship with Megatron was fine. Megatron told him everything, afterall, things no other bot had the privilege of hearing. Or had it all been a lie. Had Megatron truly never cared about him or their cause? Had this all just been a game to him, a ploy to destroy those who wronged him only to grow bored in the end!?
Soundwave was visibly shaking, anger coursing through him in waves. It was absurd, Megatron would never leave him-them, he would never leave the Decepticons. It was just Starscream’s yapping getting to his head. But still, something in his spark knew. His lord was gone, and he wasn’t coming back.
But there was nothing he could do, Megatron had left him in charge of ensuring the safety of the ship and his soldiers until he returned, putting him in charge of everyone and everything. He was still Megatron’s most trusted soldier (friend, his spark whispered. Preposterous), and Soundwave would not dare tarnish that trust should this idea be false (because that was all this was, an idea, not a fact).
He would stay, manding this ship until his master returned (even if he never would). He would keep Megatron’s dream alive until he came back, working to preserve his legacy no matter the cost. He would stay in Megatron’s shadow, even if it destroyed him from the inside out.
(He would stay. He would always stay.)