Chapter Text
Alarms blared as Shockwave accessed ground bridge control. A distant explosion sounded out as his distraction detonated and drew attention to the other side of the autobot base. His mission to access the opposing factions' space bridge for his own use was going as anticipated. He was on schedule.
- - -
Shockwave carried the dormant frame of Megatron’s spymaster into his lab and set him down carefully onto a medical slab. He observed minimal surface damage as he began hooking the former gladiator into diagnostic and life support systems. Energon reserves were almost entirely depleted despite the fact his frame should be able to operate in low energy mode for longer than he had been missing. Perhaps the passage of time affected their systems differently in the “Shadowzone” as it had been called.
A secondary set of diagnostics joined the display after a moment. The symbiote, Laserbeak.
Of course the communications officer would risk depleting his own reserves to ensure the survival of his beloved drone.
Shockwave took a moment to step back and observe Soundwave’s still frame laid out upon the slab.
His current slim build was a stark contrast to the bulk he carried when the pair had initially met in the pits of Kaon. He had possessed more symbiotes then as well as less modifications to specialize in his current field of surveillance and data collection.
Even at this smaller size, Shockwave felt the mech before him was no less of a threat than he had been in the pits back on Cybertron. In their time apart Soundwave had grown more adept in his skills and was more calculating than ever. Shockwave found himself wishing he never had to face Soundwave as anything but an ally.
Shockwave’s optic hovered briefly over the slab’s restraint control before engaging them. Should the former gladiator online and lash out before his processor had time to properly diagnose the situation, their plans could be set back further. The safety of both parties in that, or many potential outcomes, was logical to prioritize.
– - -
Soundwave onlined rapidly, vents roaring to life as his intake struggled to begin its usual respiration.
His frame was horizontal, vulnerable.
A hurried attempt to sit up was hampered by restraints holding him down. His processor reeled, rushing to boot up subsystems and processes after prolonged inactivity.
Laserbeak, despite low fuel levels, disengaged from his housing and set to aerial surveillance, mapping out potential assistance to his host. The communication chief’s helm swung to get a hold on his current surroundings.
He quickly stilled at the sight of Shockwave looking down at him.
“You’re awake.”
Soundwave nodded slowly before looking down at the restraints pinning his frame to the table.
Laserbeak flew lower, hovering as small tendrils unfurled to grasp at the devices locking his host in place. A hiss sounded as the restraints were suddenly disengaged and Soundwave’s attention returned to the bright red optic fixed in his direction.
“There is no need for retaliatory action. I took necessary precautions given your strength and the unpredictable nature of the situation. My intent was simply to avoid potential harm.”
The scientist then brought his servo to offer assistance to the weakened TIC.
After a moment, Soundwave slowly placed his own servo in the others and allowed himself to be pulled into an upright position.
Laserbeak’s chittering hum dulled to silence as he came to rest upon Soundwave’s lap and powered down. Soundwave tensed slightly, looking down at his symbiote before returning his blank gaze to the scientist.
The head engineer turned, grabbing a small line before offering it to his fellow commander.
“A direct energon line. Connection should accelerate recovery time.”
At the explanation Soundwave quickly retrieved the line and connected it to the small drone’s main fuel intake. He stared down at the symbiote, processor aching as it raced to seek plausible answers.
At his silence, Shockwave spoke again.
“Commander Soundwave, you have been missing approximately 30 decacycles following the autobot attack on the Nemesis. Once events allowed, assembling a bridge system became my primary task in an attempt to retrieve you. I was only recently successful, after infiltrating the autobot base containing the space bridge capable of reaching Earth.”
Soundwave’s visor relayed nothing, his focus cast downward as he ran his digits over Laserbeak’s wings.
“..... It is fortunate that your symbiote survived. He has proven to be a valuable asset to our cause.”
“-our cause.” The scientist’s words were replayed. Soundwave’s digits flexed before tightening their hold on the small symbiote; unspoken questions behind the audio clip.
Shockwave’s finials twitched at the first words from the TIC, pausing before giving a reply.
“Megatron is…no longer accessible. The decepticon cause currently resides in a liminal state with his recent departure into isolation following his revival and return to Cybertron. It would seem he is no longer willing to lead a cause inflicting oppression after events leading to the return and imprisonment of Unicron.”
Soundwave’s frame tensed as Shockwave spoke, visor displaying no hint of emotion as it reflected the red glow of his optic. Silence filled the room as the spymaster’s gaze returned to his lap once more.
A breem of inactivity passed before Shockwave decided the fellow officer needed more time to take in information and continue recovery. Other tasks could be completed while rest and contemplation took place.
“Decisions are not required to be made at this moment. You have been under duress at the hand of the autobots and their allies. It would be most logical to rest before proceeding.”
After a pause, Soundwave nodded.
Satisfied with the response, Shockwave returned the nod before turning to leave the medical slab. “With your return, my latest project is complete. If you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to.”
Once the scientist retreated to his work station across the lab, Soundwave seized the opportunity to take in their surroundings more thoroughly.
Based on the dim and dilapidated appearance, it was one of many abandoned decepticon labs scattered throughout Cybertron. Lack of heavy machinery or apparent war damage narrowed it to one of few locations, most likely bordering the Sea of Rust due to the dry, stale air coursing through his ventilation system.
Once he established their location and likelihood of autobot infiltration, Soundwave allowed himself to run a quick diagnostic on his own systems. He had been inactive for long enough that many struggled to operate at even half capacity with the limited energon in his reserves. Readings indicated stasis would accelerate his self repair systems’ efficiency.
Ignoring the reading for now, his attention turned toward his symbiote once more. Laserbeak’s diagnostics showed self repair systems operating at an acceptable rate, the direct energon line apparently doing its job to increase reserves quickly.
The communications specialist transformed his chest plates to return Laserbeak to his housing, vaguely recalling Knockout telling him proximity to the host spark aided the drone’s recovery when he had been damaged previously.
Unready to return to stasis after being offline for so long, Soundwave found his aching processor struggling to fill gaps in information. The data Shockwave had given him was limited.
The scientist himself was an interesting case, not hesitant to speak but only offered what he deemed as logical or relevant data without considering hidden importance in details. The details were extremely important in data collection and surveillance, every detail needed reviewed.
He would need to review more information directly to uncover the full series of events.
A nearby console would allow him to plug into the data network and review accessible information. Unfortunately, even with his cables, his current position on the medical berth restricted his access to the console.
An attempt to stand proved to be a bad idea as he stumbled forward, equilibrium sensors flashing error codes on his HUD as his knees buckled under his own weight.
Shockwave turned at the sound and quickly made his way to Soundwave's side, servo hovering to assist. “Commander Soundwave, I must request you return to the slab. It is too soon to consider departure.”
Soundwave extended a cable to brace himself against the table and accepted the assistance returning to the slab before he raised a long digit toward the console.
“You wish to connect to the console and assess information for yourself.” Shockwave paused, his clawed servo resting briefly on Soundwave’s frame. “A logical request.”
The larger mech bent down to the base of the table, disengaging a locking mechanism before pushing the slab closer to the console. Soundwave extended his data cables and connected wordlessly once in range. Within moments, information and surveillance filled his processor and he forcibly disconnected to allow his recovering systems to catch up. He turned sharply to look at Shockwave, his blank visor boring into the scientist’s optic.
“Officers Starscream and Knockout's fates are… unfortunate. I believed retrieving you was the most practical course of action for our cause.”
Soundwave looked back down and reconnected to the console, accepting the explanation for the moment.
“Our cause.” The audio clip played again, asking a different question this time.
“The decepticon cause. As the highest ranking remaining officers, the choice lies between us to decide what that cause will continue to be or not to be… For the moment, the most prudent timeline involves a dedicated rest period to recover from recent events.”
Soundwave relayed nothing, focusing his attention on the console and the data coursing through his system.
Shockwave watched another moment before retreating to his own work station once more.
- - -
The lab was dark when Soundwave onlined at a request from Laserbeak.
::Stretch wings::
The spymaster complied with the request, sluggishly flipping the symbiote’s housing to allow him to disengage and move at his own freewill.
It felt as if he had only just fallen into proper recharge, having put it off after finally being online again. Shockwave had offered a sedative to assist the process but Soundwave declined, they needed to be ready for anything. Without a proper outpost or established hierarchy and numbers they couldn't risk even a single disadvantage.
There was no sign of the bulky scientist now as Laserbeak chittered happily around the room. Soundwave broadened his sensors, reaching out to locate the tank only to find him a room over in light recharge. Intriguing.
Soundwave gingerly slipped from the slab, disconnecting himself from energon lines and diagnostic hookups that Shockwave employed. He had not yet been able to physically explore the entire lab space due to his recovery and Shockwave’s hovering. Perhaps now he could gather his own data.
After inspecting the main room to his satisfaction, the spymaster followed the route to where his fellow commanding officer lay dormant.
The connected room was smaller and seemed to house more sensitive materials unfit to be stored in the main lab. A single stasis frame mounted to the wall held Shockwave upright, his optic dark as he recharged.
He did not stir even as the slender mech approached, suggesting proximity defense protocols for recharge were disabled. The scientist’s lack of concern gave Soundwave pause. The fact Shockwave felt comfortable enough in their current situation to recharge freely was.. reassuring.
He took the opportunity to study the other’s frame, looking for signs of recent damage. The terrorcon attack he learned of through logs had left many scratches and rough edges, more apparent at a closer look. A layer of paint had been applied over welds that weren’t fully buffed but the other was overall no worse for wear.
As his optics darted along the others plating, Soundwave found himself observing Shockwave for more than damage. He was familiar enough with the other’s frame due to their proximity and roles within their faction, but he had never seen it at rest without the judgment he may face were he awake. It was new data to be collected.
Shockwave’s confidence was, in part, likely due to the scientist’s sturdiness and the strength his frame possessed. The decepticon cause was no stranger to heavier frame types- it was advantageous in battle but less common amongst the more intellectual fields. Many preferred mobility to strength.
Shockwave, unlike others, didn’t seem encumbered by his larger frame and walked with a trained purpose. Soundwave found the sense of duty admirable, if often reminded him of why he joined their cause in the first place.
It promptly occurred to him that many of the traits he admired in Megatron were present in Shockwave as well. It was an interesting comparison he never saw fit to draw previously. Perhaps that is why Megatron saw fit to keep Shockwave close. The scientist was a brutal combination of strength and intelligence without the tether of morals that held others back.
Shockwave had done something their leader did not, however; he returned for him.
In the time since he had returned, Soundwave had thought heavily on their leader's actions and lack thereof.
It was incredibly easy to believe Starscream had taken leave without consideration for others. That information was expected, a calculated event. Similarly, Soundwave was not surprised that their medic had sought an easy out to the ongoing violence, especially after losing his partner to a “fellow" decepticon.
Megatron however, he thought may attempt to bring back his most loyal officer. They had established that retrieval from the shadowzone was possible through information collected during Ratchet’s cortical psychic patch. It was clearly not an impossible mission, Shockwave had demonstrated as much.
No matter how the ex gladiator felt about continuing the millennia long war or his sudden abhorrence of subjugation, Soundwave had thought the mech would have conscience enough to consider the only bot who had been by his side through it all. Apparently not.
Soundwave shook himself from the thoughts. There would be plenty of time to consider Megatron’s actions later; now was the time for a dedicated rest period to recover from recent events, as Shockwave had said.
Soundwave had never considered his relationship with the scientist as anything deeper than a refreshing, easy to work with fellow officer. The two had their fair share of work together throughout the war but neither sought anything outside mutual cooperation. It was intriguing that Shockwave had felt the need to retrieve him. The scientist did not strike Soundwave as the type to be reliant on others, as evident by his time alone on their deserted planet. To think the tank would potentially be reliant on him for one reason or another especially was interesting. He would collect more data from the other when they had both fully recharged.
A chirp from the main laboratory drew Soundwave’s attention. With one last glance at the only mech to seem to care of his solitary imprisonment, he slowly padded out to meet his symbiote.