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For any Decepticon worth their salt, they need be able to hold face and remind their subordinates of their right to their rank.
For Megatron, it is his presence and strength.
For Starscream, his conniving and manipulative nature.
For Soundwave, his vast network of information and cassette enforcers.
For Shockwave….
There is a specific type of wrong present when other mecha dare glance to his single bareface optic, only further compounded by the nonchalant propositions of using those lowest on the totem pole as test subjects.
The other members of the command structure are, after all, still mechs. Their actions are as much driven by their emotions as their agendas, for better or to their detriment.
Shockwave is less than that. Blank. Hollow.
Less, but so, so much worse .
When Shockwave is provided the permissions to source his subjects, Decepticon seekers and grounders alike feel a steady dread.
Because if he cannot use an enemy combatant, he isn't above choosing one of them.
After all, any given cybertronian will have many key facets in common, from frame and interface structures to software and weaknesses therein.
And everyone knows that no matter how compelling, no plea for mercy will be able to sway something that can't feel the empathy required to grant it.