Work Text:
Shockwave sat at the meeting table, bored, as the current command meeting fell into its usual pattern.
Megatron had proposed a raid on a nearby energy station and Starscream -as his second in command- saw fit to introduce a barrage of critique onto the operation.
Shockwave was there, in theory, to lend a scientific perspective or offer assistance with his range of knowledge but a large percentage of these meetings ended similarly enough that he knew it was rare he need be there.
Often, Starscream's past with the sciences brought up Shockwave's own talking points before he could voice them himself. As the seeker was no stranger to making himself heard, it logically meant many meetings passed without Shockwave speaking at all.
The meetings were for appearances more than anything else, Shockwave knew this.
He also knew that he would not be reprimanded for taking out a data pad to busy himself while he was required to be there. Starscream and Megatron would spend the rest of the meeting bickering with pauses of genuine consideration at what the other was saying. They would pay him no mind until they were done with their song and dance.
He had begun to tune the pair out when the slightest movement from his right caught his optics.
Ah yes, Soundwave.
The third in command also rarely spoke during these meetings. The spymaster was more interested in information gathering, observing and listening closely to the back and forth of their “superiors”.
Shockwave found the cassette host fascinating. Even if he held little personal interest in the social sciences and subtleties of emotional warfare, he respected the calculated intelligence hidden behind the mask.
Neither felt the need to craft time for socializing but occasionally they would share a conversation if walking in the same direction. It was pleasant.
The movement that caught his optic was the spymaster's shoulders shaking slightly in a silent laugh.
He quickly turned his attention to the other officers, trying to catch what could have elicited the reaction. It sounded like any other instance of their dithering to Shockwave but he was not familiar with the intricacies of social aspects so perhaps he wouldn't understand even if he had heard.
Soundwave seemed to take note of Shockwave's reaction, his helm turning ever so slightly in his direction, visor brightening.
Suddenly there was a communications ping on the scientist’s hud.
::Shockwave: need information?::
Shockwave glanced at the communications officer, setting his datapad down as he responded through the silent form of communication.
::Simply seeking context for your amusement::
The edges of Soundwave's visor creased as he allowed himself a small smile under his mask.
::Unable to explain entirety of context through ping. Aspects of social understanding: necessary::
Shockwave simply nodded and moved to return to his datapad.
::Discuss context later. Shockwave: due to refuel post meeting, I will accompany you::
Shockwave was not surprised the third in command knew his schedule, but inserting himself into it was new.
::I look forward to learning more about your thoughts on the comedy of this meeting then. Perhaps with context I may come to derive amusement as well::
Another smile and sideways glance from behind the red visor was his only reply as the spymaster turned his attention back to their fellow officers dutifully.
Shockwave tapped a few notes onto his datapad. The proposed conversation would surely yield information on not only the topic itself but provide him with valuable knowledge about Soundwave's own perspective. Even if there was no benefit to his attendance, at least Shockwave would return to his work with new data to analyze and organize.