[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Recoil [Knock Out, Megatron, Shockwave, Soundwave]

[Starscream]

Episode 3 | Week 1 | Day 3


There was a quiet hum of contempt as Starscream pushed open the door to the Assembly Hall. Then a pause, almost as if he was taking a moment to consider, before stepping fully inside.

The once roughed out cavernous space had changed much in the months since they'd first arrived here at Blackridge. High, bare stone walls had been reinforced with long metal panels and welded beams as the room had been expanded. A once dusty floor had now been smoothed and polished to a glossy finish that surprisingly hadn't been too scuffed by the pedes of many Vehicons passing through. A touch of elegance was found with shimmering bands of mica and other reflective stone that only seemed to accent the amber lights that dotted the ceiling and walls, draping the room in a subtle orange glow. Tables had been roughed out of rock, with one larger than the rest in the middle of the room with carved stone chairs and benches to match.

Starscream was Lord of the Decepticons - the rightful leader, yet he had barely stepped foot in here. This room with all its grandeur (at least, considering the rest of Blackridge) was somewhere he’d imagined himself holding meetings - raising morale among his loyal followers and basking in the glory that came with his rank.

That day had unfortunately not yet come, but as they say - all good things take time.

Another hum. Starscream found himself pacing the room.

He moved carefully, with light footfalls that still managed to echo around the high, curving walls. Where there would usually be Vehicons standing around during shift changes or those rare moments where they found themselves awaiting a new task, the room was empty - save for the lone Seeker. The silence would not last long, though. Summons had been sent to both Soundwave and Shockwave- it was time for a little chat, and they were due at any moment.

Things had been going very well indeed for the Decepticons since the collapse of Haven. With the destruction of that hovel, the ceasefire they had shared with the Autobots had gone down with it. Unfortunately, the prepared attack hadn’t gone exactly to plan - the bombs hadn’t killed their intended targets. Regardless, the message had been loud and clear, and now the next stages of this war were finally underway.

Making his way over to one of the many tables, he’d pause in his movements, gaze drifting upward to peer at the amber lights along the ceiling. Taking a moment to silently think over everything he had achieved since taking his rightful place as Lord of the Decepticons, and his plans for the future.

Mining was absolutely in full swing now, and their Energon supplies had surpassed those of when they had the Nemesis, almost to the point of borderline excess - yet they showed no signs of halting. Blackridge had been expanded upon, it no longer feeling quite so claustrophobic and cramped, and while he’d heard of complaints as to the sleeping arrangements, it did not concern him. It was no Nemesis, but for what they needed it would make do.

There hadn’t been much activity from the Autobots, either. One Energon mine had been raided with a few Vehicons lost. In the grand scheme of things, however, it was inconsequential and Starscream did not seem too phased by the attack. By all accounts, they hadn’t attempted another raid, but next time they would not be so lucky.

He was biding his time. The failed attack on the Autobots at Haven meant that the next time would have to go exactly to plan, and as much as he hated to admit it, he couldn’t do that alone.

Meaning it was time to check in with Soundwave and Shockwave. Soundwave would know the movements of the Autobots better than he, as well as provide updates as to their Energon supplies - something Starscream was immensely proud of, and Shockwave - well, he’d neither seen nor heard from the Scientist almost since they’d arrived here at Blackridge. A report here or there from Knock Out into the status of the virus that’d since-been eradicated, but he was curious as to what the one-eyed mech was up to. Quiet was good, but things had been too quiet as of late.

Lowering his gaze, he lazily turned his helm in the direction of the door- this room one of few that had one. He shifted his stance, standing tall- proud with wings hiked high, that familiar air of arrogance surrounding him as he waited for the two mechs to arrive.

[Soundwave]

It was not often Starscream called upon him, it was not often their new Lord asked for him to report in any way beyond data entries and logs, and it was no secret Soundwave was a threat to Starscream... Or once upon a time he had been. With the way things were set up now, there was simply no threat to be had. No one to report malicious attempts of takeover to, no need to thwart the Seeker’s scheming or plotting given current circumstances, and no opposition to any directives given should they not follow the established path. Soundwave was loyal to the Decepticon cause, and while the uprising of Starscream was unplanned, it did hold its own boons and would be respected as such.

With mining into full swing, and many of the fighting forces assisting the drones with their labor and efforts, Energon production had indeed skyrocketed to an otherwise unprecedented level on this world. Their stockpiles were booming, and said stockpiles were being meticulously sectioned out into fortified bunkers so that if one was ever compromised it would not be a crippling blow to their supplies. It was this that Soundwave helped to orchestrate, moving and guiding supplies to their appropriate new homes, while rotating Vehicons and Eradicons alike through labour and resting roles so no single solder was pushed to the brink of exhaustion...

He did a lot of maintenance work like this, more tedious jobs that could be churned through quickly between the more important tasks. Improving communications from Blackridge to the satellites, making sure connections to other mining operations were secure, and continuously looking into more offensive tactics of scanning radio waves to look for weakness or negligence of the Autobots, or allies not securing their communications appropriately. Such was the norm for his stance however, seldom breaking away from a job, except of course, for situations like this.

Soft tapping footfalls, the lightest plastic click of dampened joints, to a keen ear there would be no doubt who was soon approaching the gathering room. Rhythmic, each stride was almost a signature of the navy mech, soon stepping into the room with care to look upon Starscream with the all too recognizable inky void of a face. The Seeker stood proud, bold, an air of arrogance that flowed into a haughty stance of leadership. Soundwave simply passed the silver mech a glance, before offering a subtle nod of acknowledgment to his presence during his continued approach.

Not stopping in his movement, not wishing to block the entryway, Soundwave’s advance only halted when he landed himself at an appropriate speaking distance from their False Lord. Typically, he would station himself to the side, somewhere out of the immediate way where he could serve the observational role he always seemed to be tasked within. This was not one of those scenarios however, moving front and to the right to make space for the second Cybertronian to be summoned.

Here he stood silent, bladed arms loped down at either side at rest.

[Deleted]

     Starscream was as oportunistic as they came- too snidely to challenge Megatron directly for leadership, and instead waited until their Lord was out of the picture to assert his position within the ranks. Primarily, none of them really cared to be in charge of faction, not out of inability, but merely... not wanting to take on that task.

     Shockwave unfortunately couldn't call Starscream a charlatan. While he took his self proclaimed leadership spot when the chance came without any decisions made by the rest of the lot, the Scientist could not deny the lengths the Decepticons had gone while under his command. They had ( much to his chagrin ), advanced more in the short time than they had int he duration Megatron had been on Earth with them. Not that any of this Shockwave would admit aloud. Starscream lacked the tact for the position. He assumed his role, he did what he felt he needed  and wanted to, and the rest just had to fall in line or face his wrath by whatever means he thought they deserved. Shockwave had thankfully been without much contact with him, so his stability was preserved. 

     Today that came to a momentary end. He could feel his annoyance levels increase a nanoklik when he had heard he needed to report to the Assembly Hall. Being forced to leave the secluded confinement of his lab and answer the call to the Commander was not something he expected, since he had grown much more accustomed to the Seeker just sending a lackey to check in. Shockwave figured this was more of a meeting of processors rather than a rank and file check up if Starscream wanted to risk pulling him out of his dedicated space, and that thought was the only thing that allowed him to calm himself and cool his center.

     Now heavy footfalls carried the commanding presence across the halls of Blackridge, the air about him enough to keep the shuffling Vehicons moving out of the way to avoid being in his way- or a reminder of him that he needed subjects for future testings. Making his way to the Assembly Hall and through the threshold, he stopped for a moment to take in the area. Soundwave's arrival here was not surprising in the least, though his positioning was. The two were vaguely similar in how they handed things and where they placed themselves, so this seemed very out of character for the spymaster. 

     He settled in without acknowledgement of Starscream, not that one would be able to tell even if he did. He stood opposite to Soundwave to the left and waited.

[Starscream]

Familiar footfalls were heard within moments of Starscream turning his gaze to the doorway, and he could only scoff in mild amusement at who it was that was arriving first, although he was not surprised in the slightest. Soundwave was always punctual - and part of him wondered if the Spymaster had been watching from afar, waiting until he was in the Assembly Hall to make his way over.

He could only assume as such. Soundwave was, after all, the eyes and ears of the Decepticons. Something that once upon a time Starscream was incredibly wary of. Of course, he still was - but now that he was Lord of the Decepticons and things were going very well indeed for the faction as a whole? Soundwave wasn’t quite as much of a concern as he had been.

As the door pushed open, Starscream’s arms would loop behind his back. He continued to stand tall, but he was fidgeting - rubbing the side of one thumb claw with his index digit. As he was noticed by the Spymaster, there was a subtle twitch of his wings. He didn’t move from where he was standing, letting Soundwave walk the short distance over to him, instead.

It was curious that he moved so close - then again, with the intimacy of this meeting, given it would just be the three mechs? It made sense and he thought nothing of it.

“Soundwave.” a bob of his helm was given in greeting once Soundwave had moved into position, but nothing else was said. He knew that Shockwave would be along soon enough, and he didn’t want to start things without the Scientist.

They weren’t kept waiting long.

More footfalls broke the silence, they were heavier than those of Soundwave - and heading this way. The door was once again opened, and Starscream’s optics narrowed ever-so-slightly as the one-eyed mech made his way into the room.

Swallowing back his disdain for the purple mech, he would unloop his arms - letting them fall casually at his sides as he turned his attention over to the Scientist.

“Shockwave. Thank you for arriving so quickly. This won’t take long.”

The less time he had to spend with Shockwave the better, but he was their Lord, and he did have to check in face to face every so often. Reports from Knock Out or the occasional brave Vehicon could only go so far, and he hadn’t even had one of those in a while.

This was so very overdue.

“It has been far too long since I have reported directly with either of you. A good thing, I suppose - as I am sure that if something was amiss you wouldn’t hesitate to inform me. However, now that the truce with the Autobots has been long since broken, I expect to be in contact with you both more often as things move forward.”

There was a gentle shifting of his weight as he turned his gaze briefly to Soundwave, getting the easier request out the way first.

“Soundwave, you have been dutiful in reporting our Energon situation to me - however, I would like an updated list of our newer stockpiles and their locations at your earliest convenience. I can only assume we are still far exceeding initial estimates even despite the withdrawal of Vehicons during the expansion of Blackridge?” production had been good, very good. With no signs of slowing down even despite the temporary lull as Vehicons were pulled from the mines to build up the Decepticon base.

“Also, I’d like any reports of Autobot activity sent to me - even minute details that could be considered insignificant. Primus only knows it's only a matter of time before they get enough nerve to raid another mine.” his wings hiked slightly, and there was a certain smugness to his tone at the end there, almost like he was hoping for the Autobots to strike again.

This momentary perk in his field and frame did not last, however, and he eventually turned to look at Shockwave. His body language changing some as he gently folded his arms, wings relaxing just slightly.

“And what of you, Shockwave? Do you have anything to report? You’ve been left to your own devices for a while, now - surely you must be working on something of note?”

Brief, and to the point. While he didn’t expect the Scientist to reveal every tiny detail of whatever it was he was experimenting on, if it was something that could aid their war against the Autobots? Starscream wanted to know that progress was at least being made.

[Knock Out]

Then, almost without warning - the door would push open once more.

Knock Out knew this probably wasn’t the wisest idea he'd ever had. He’d seen Starscream move into the Assembly Hall, followed shortly thereafter by Soundwave and Shockwave. Obviously, a meeting was taking place - one that he had not been summoned for or needed to be a part of, but Primus only knew he had some concerns of his own to bring up.

And what better place than with three of the highest-ranking Decepticons in the room?

His dramatic entrance lacked any sort of tact and it was entirely unprofessional by anyone's standards, but it was unfortunately now or never. He’d spoken to Starscream about this issue a few times during the renovation of Blackridge and it still hadn’t been sorted out.

He’d pushed the door open a little harder than intended - the joints squeaking in protest and the whole thing a clattering vibration of angry ricocheting metal as it smacked against the wall, but it was done now, and he’d march over toward the three much taller mechs as the initial impact forced the door closed behind him.

He always felt small next to Soundwave and Starscream, but with Shockwave in the mix as well?

All the more reason to get his point across clearly so he didn’t look even more of an idiot than he already did.

“Ah, sorry to interrupt you Soundwave, Shockwave-” he muttered, almost like a moment of logic came through for a second there, and he’d give an awkward but gentle bow to the pair, before standing upright and turning to glare at the slim Seeker. He made a point of moving more to one side so Starscream was forced to look at him “but, Lord Starscream, this is the absolute last straw. Again a Vehicon has come into my Medical Bay covered in filth and Primus only KNOWS what - even despite the protocol being to wash first if it’s just a standard checkup!

The wash racks are a state. The pressure in them? Nonexistent! There’s no point in using them at this point! The Medical Bay is supposed to be a STERILE environment yet with how many Vehicons I see that can’t even be bothered to scrub off some of the dirt from the mines all over this disgusting planet? Who knows what’s crawling around in there!”

He’d started on a rant and he wasn’t stopping until he’d said his piece. He wasn’t quite yelling, but his voice was raised and the annoyance dripped off almost every word.

He was done. So very fucking done.

“I understand getting Blackridge expanded upon was a priority but for the sake of the Medical Bay and my sanity you NEED to do something about the Vehicon wash racks. Breakdown can’t spend his entire life mopping up mess, and Flatline is just as busy cleaning up after them as they arrive!”

It was bad enough that the equipment here was nowhere on par with what he’d been used to on the Nemesis, but the extra work required in maintaining a sterile environment was clearly the snapping point for the cherry-red mech. He hated this cave and everyone in it at this point.

Well, mostly the Vehicons. But still.

[Soundwave]

There was a steady slow thrum, an even gait filled with no level of rush or need to hurry... It was not unlike Soundwave's own stride in speed and calm, but what was different was the heavy mass that was put behind it. That all too familiar tone of an individual with sufficient armor walking in their direction. This signature, this cue, it was more than enough to know Shockwave was soon approaching, the air around Blackridge seeming to chill as individuals vacated the immediate sectors around them and the world fell silent.

As the Scientist's form pushed through the doorway into the assembly hall, Soundwave's helm crooked down and to the side, a sort of partial glance in the mech's location without actively turning to look upon him directly. While no words were passed between them at his further approach and subsequent stop at his side, Soundwave could share the level of oddness that their placement brought forth. Two individuals that shifted in the shadows and back rooms of the Decepticons, now wrenched forth to stand at attention before one who they never directly swore allegiance to.

The silence did not last long.

Once Starscream focused onto him and started to relay his requests, Soundwave was already moving towards meeting the goal. The first was not particularly difficult and essentially composed of copying data that was already compiled and sending it to Starscream to be scanned over when he sought fit. The second was even easier, his visor lighting up momentarily with scrolling data to address the far more direct question. A spreadsheet of projected goals and the possible slump by pulling Vehicons out from task was superimposed beneath the ACTUAL line chart of productivity that lurched and bobbed at a steady rate above it.

If anything, the threat of the Nemesis being gone put motivation behind them.

While this graph was being presented, Soundwave already fired off an extensive spreadsheet he was already keeping for himself to Starscream's terminal to review later. That took care of the first directives, ever punctual, ever efficient... but the next about the Autobots would require more continued efforts. At this, Soundwave's visor would plunge into darkness once again and he dipped his helm ever so slightly in understanding and acceptance of the task.

He then fell quiet to allow Shockwave to reply.

But it didn't look like he would get much of an opportunity.

A slamming of a door wrenching open and colliding with the rock wall, a popped bang of it ricocheting off and closing once more... Soundwave may not have turned fully to watch Shockwave's approach, but this intrusion required a more attentive gaze. With a quicker movement Soundwave twisted around, helm snapping to lock onto the medic with a forceful 'gaze' as frame angled to be more in his direction.

An apology was offered, but this was very much inappropriate.

Petulant rabble, informal complaints interjected at the most inopportune time. Knock Out may have a point with his demands, more appropriate wash racks and decontamination could indeed help the troops. While vanity was also a factor in this, undoubtedly a major factor given who was making the complaint... it was masked well under a façade of medical needs. Despite this, there was a time and place, and this was neither.

As Knock Out rambled his protest, Soundwave's helm turned to look slightly over at Shockwave. While neither of them could show much in expression, neither having eyes to raise brows over, or a sneer to bare teeth in disgust, so much could still be said with the most subtle of cues. It is this that occurred, Soundwave almost giving the Scientist a look of 'really?' as if he could hardly comprehend what the red mech was doing. A faint helm turn and crook with a near silent click and beep of systems before panning to look back upon Knock Out and then afterwards the door that had been so roughly slammed.

[Deleted]

     Shockwave could feel that detachment rising in an attempt to stifle his annoyance with Starscream, though the more he spoke, the more he found it difficult to control his desire to just impale the seeker on one of the stalagmite formations jutting from an unattended floor of Blackridge. When he was questioned about his dealings here, he felt put on a spot that the seeker seemed to like to put him on whenever possible. No, he was not working on anything that he deemed necessary to share with their false lord, though he was unable to reply before the doors came bursting open and a flailing menace burst his way through as though he were insulted for not being invited. 

     Good thing Shockwave didn't have a mouth plate, or else he would have been caught with it open in preparation of saying something passively aggressive towards the Seeker. Small favors.

     When Knockout began spouting his outrage at this and the other, he turned his helm towards Soundwave to see how the silent spymaster was reacting to the situation. As they both were very similar in how they dealt with situations where someone was acting in such a manner, he expect that Soundwave was thinking of it in the same way.

     He did not disappoint. 

     Though there was no looks to be exchanged between the two, Shockwave could sense the air that the other passed towards him, and the slight flick of one of his thin antenna should have been more than enough to indicate that he was thinking the same thing about this outburst from their Chief Medical Officer. He did wonder where the blue bodyguard of his was, considering that Knock Out seemed to rarely travel without him. As much as that mech lacked a decent processor capacity, he was at least smart enough to not intrude on a meeting such as this for absolutely no reason. So, the medic must have come here alone, or Breakdown did the wise thing and remained behind so he wouldn't have to face the brunt of a lashing that would surely come out of this.

     He stood there, watching the exchange briefly, before finding it to just be as useless as he figured it to be, then turned his helm to look around the Assembly Hall, taking note of the surroundings and making note of things that could use a little updating.

[Deleted]

Footsteps.

Heavy, paced, rhythmic footsteps. They seemed to start in the distance, and grew in volume, closer and closer to the Assembly Hall with the Decepticon officers. To those survivors of the Nemesis crash, the footsteps were familiar.

Very familiar.

As the owner walked the tunnels of Blackridge, towards the room where the officers of the Decepticons were gathered, any Vehicon walking those same tunnels would stop, staring, unbelieving, at the heavy, looming figure, approaching at a steady, strong pace. Those same Vehicons would quickly dart to the side, or vanish down an adjoining tunnel, moving out of the way, yet stopping, turning, to stare as the behemoth moved past. Never sparing them a glance.

He continued up the tunnel, now stepping out through the archway, and rolling to a halt, just inside the larger room.

He stood, towering over the others in the room. Crimson eyes took in those before him, took in the room they were in. Watched as Knock Out had a Stage Four Hissy Fit about some Vehicon entering his Medibay.

The giant mech looked like he had seen better days. He was scratched, dented to a degree. There were scorch marks upon his dark silver frame. One rather heavy gouge ran down his chest, narrowly missing the Decepticon symbol proudly displayed there. And while the damage was all cosmetic, it was still apparent he had been in a few scraps here and there, either with foes, or with geography itself, wherever he had been.

He remained silent, rolling forward to approach the group a little closer. Heavy footsteps were muffled beneath the CMO’s complaints, and he slowly moved to a stop to stand a little distance from the officers.

His face seemed almost devoid of emotion. There was no anger in his eyes, no fury on his face, no joy at returning or pride he had come back to lay claim to what was his, to what he had built. His field, however, was starting to leak annoyance. Irritation. And a hint....just a hint....of anger. It was clear he was willing, for the moment, to just observe what was going on within his ranks.

A slow movement, as large clawed hands settled on narrow hips, heavy peds widening his stance somewhat. The harsh lights of the Assembly room reflected back on his scarred face, making him seem unnatural as he watched, listened, observed.

Lord Megatron had returned.

[Starscream]

Soundwave did not keep him waiting long after the request was given. Then again, not only was the Spymaster punctual, he was efficient. He didn’t even have to move over to look at one of his many personal datapads to know that the information requested had been transferred over, or at the very least was now in the process.

As the inky black visor illuminated, Starscream could only smirk as he looked it over, smugly picking at his thumb claw. Oh, how the Decepticons had thrived beneath his rule- the tons of Energon were proof enough of that, as was the expansion of the base in hardly any time at all (a lot of the planning had been Pyrotech, but Starscream would still take some credit) - but the graph charting it all right in front of them was evidence of growth, prosperity, and it was only going to keep getting better.

There was no visual response to his request about the Autobots, but the gentle bob of Soundwave’s helm was all he needed to know that the task would be done - probably moments after he left the room.

“Thank you, Soundwave.” his own helm dipping some as he spoke.

His attention shifted then to Shockwave, awaiting his response. One could only imagine the horrors that the Scientist was working on in his lab, which made this meeting all the more important. The purple mech was elusive at the best of times, but quiet was not always necessarily a good thing, and as Lord of the Decepticons - it was long overdue to check in on things.

Only- the door slammed open a moment later, interrupting anything that Shockwave was about to say. The impact noise of metal on rock echoing around the stone room tapered off quickly, and Starscream could only glare at whoever it was that’d DARED to barge in like this.

He watched, almost in a state of bewilderment as Knock Out marched over and started on some shpiel about wash racks of all things! Of all the insolent behavior he did NOT expect this from the Chief Medical Officer - someone he had assumed would know better.

Primus if he weren’t so useful, a missile would’ve found its way through his overly-polished cherry-red chassis right about now…

“What is the meaning of this impertinence, Knock Out?!” a growled response, wings flaring angrily behind the Seeker as he turned to stare down at the smaller mech.

“Can’t you see we are busy! I have better things to do than see to the- Vehicon wash racks!” he couldn’t believe that of ALL the things to complain about, it was that which had been chosen to interrupt this meeting “Use some initiative and get them to fix it! Or use the decontamination shower in the Medical Bay for Primus’ sake!”

The door had opened again. Only the slim Seeker did not turn to look this time, his attention fully on the CMO. He could only assume it was Knock Out’s lapdog come to retrieve him after he’d run amok. Even with the leaked annoyance from the new field, he did not spare a glance in that direction.

"While I am thrilled you are clearly caught up with your projects to the point you can pester me with your trivial nonsense, as your LORD and Leader of the Decepticons I do not have the luxury to listen to this pathetic drabble. I expected better of you Knock Out, and have no idea what inside your self absorbed ego makes you think this is ANYWHERE close to an appropriate occasion for this absurdity.

Unless of course you feel your time is more important than ours, in which case, by all means, Knock Out... continue." he purred.

He would continue to stare down the cherry-red mech, completely unaware as to who had just joined them.

Ah, if only he’d looked.

[Knock Out]

This was a fight that Knock Out probably wasn’t going to win. But he’d come this far- stepping into a meeting room with Soundwave and Shockwave was stupid enough to begin with, but Starscream, too? Might as well follow through and say what he had to say before one of the three took him out, which was what he’d assumed would happen - and honestly something he hadn’t really thought about until after he yelled at the tall Seeker.

It’d been a spur of the moment decision. The annoyance had built up in his frame to the point he just had to go and complain. Breakdown had made an attempt to stop him but when Knock Out had his processor set on something, there really was nothing anyone could do.

He stood tall, proud - puffing out his chassis in some failed attempt to look even slightly imposing. He wasn’t backing down from this, and Starscream’s response was one he did not want to hear.

“Get them to fix it?! They’re Vehicons, they don’t know the first thing about that!” he snapped back, thus digging his hole deeper. This wasn’t going to end well at all.

“The point of the Vehicon wash rack is so multiple can get clean at once. The decontamination shower only has space for one- do you know how unproductive that is! We are working on several Vehicons at a time in there!”

Like everyone in the room, Knock Out heard the door open - but just like Starscream, he did not look. It probably was Breakdown coming to rescue him from whatever mess he’d gotten himself into, which meant that Breakdown could wait a few more seconds until this was over and done with.

“This is not a trivial matter!” he stated matter-of-factly, “Nor am I self-absorbed, Lord Starscream. This is affecting my Medical Bay, which in turn affects every single Decepticon at Blackridge!”

Knowing it was Breakdown, he was trying to simmer down a little. Voice not quite so high pitched and full of annoyance. The last thing Breakdown needed was to retrieve a corpse after all.

“I apologize for interrupting your meeting but something needs to be done about this!”

He’d turn then to glance at Soundwave and Shockwave, hoping he wasn’t annoying them too much, hoping they would UNDERSTAND his frustration or even help Starscream see reason! Only his gaze went straight past them to-

Oh.

Oh slag.

[Soundwave]

It appeared Shockwave felt the same, which was not particularly a surprise. The most subtle of cues, the fainted of flicks that could easily be lost and excused as an average response to sounds... The navy mech knew Shockwave plenty enough at this point to be well acquainted with the fact this was a 'tell' and a small act of communication in turn. It caused a slight bit of amusement to creep through his systems, finding brief solidarity in the exchange, but he then peered back down at Knock Out, before glancing at the far doorway with a distant gaze.

Squabbling arguments, useless banter, this was a rather interesting situation that would soon be unfolding, as the third and most likely final set of footfalls started to approach. That ominous thrum, that haunting rumble, it was so distinctive, and enacted a new type of fear within the base that clashed with that which Shockwave produced.

Both mech were dangerous, both could cultivate the execution of a spark either for punishment and proving a point, or on the other side malicious experimentation for the progress of their cause and the name of science. However, Shockwave was throttled, shackled in some ways to abide by the laws set in place, to keep him from plucking a Vehicon from the rank and file to mutilate. Whether or not this was respected was another thing all together... but the point remained this second individual was chained by none.

Free to act on own whim and wishes with nobody to call him subservient.

With a slow movement, Soundwave's frame fully turned to face the doorway across the room. Actions slow, borderline graceful to square off and not cause immediate alarm by lurching twists or any other fast quirks. He could still hear the bickering occurring to his right, Knock Out and Starscream's egos clashing against one another in an obnoxious raucous. This did little to deter or change goals, as Soundwave took a set of calm strides to the side to clear a path from the doorway to the two children, before he dipped down.

A slope of arms, a sharper ease forward, Soundwave's slender fingertips placed upon the ground, before elbows crooked and the bladed shoulders angled forward in turn. His limbs were simply too long to accommodate his action without the crook, his frame bending so low as to plant his left knee against the ground and ease to rest. This action would seem completely out of line and awkward on multiple levels, the Spymaster seldom kneeling in such a way to show respect, but the door opening across the room soon explained and clarified everything in just a brief flicker.

The shine of silver armor clashing with wounds and scrapes screamed of the turmoil their true Lord had been through. Sighs there were undoubtedly rough battles with environment and potentially foe alike. Soundwave only passed a glance to look over the damages briefly, before his helm stooped down some while keeping Megatron within his line of sight, knowing Starscream once he got over the initial panic would undoubtedly throw him under Megatron's 'wrath' to divert from his own transgressions.

Here he waited, calm, the field around him as dead and hollow as it always was.

[Deleted]

     While the two were bickering, the arrival of the familiar field did not go unnoticed to the other two mechs in the room. He had picked up on it at first and had merely remained to himself to process what he was sensing, though the movement of Soundwave when the form entered the doorway indicated to him that he finally recognized it himself. The bantering sparklings were still carrying on as they had been, so it seemed to escape them for the time being.

     Until it didn't. At least for one of them.... but the look he was waiting for was Starscream',s and not so much the medic.

     Unlike Soundwave, who Starscream seemed prone to throwing wherever he could to direct his own errors at him to cushion whatever punishments he would receive for failure, Shockwave stood as more immune to them- at least while in the same company and face to face. Starscream just knew better. There were times when he dared for Starscream to challenge him again, just so he could remind him of what an error in his judgement as to him being a pushover in any way.

      Shockwave did not bow, as it was not in his nature to do so- a reflection of his time as a Senator when he was not required to do so. There was still the acknowledgement, however- a slight forward tilt of his helm with a pivot in his stance so that their Lord could move past without hindrance. He would not speak for now, merely waiting for the opportunity to present himself as the.... surprise would be much more of an impact if the receiver were able to uncover it for himself

     Oh, how he waited for their false liege to realize who he would answer to now.

[Deleted]

The expression did not change as Megatron continued to listen to Knock Out and Starscream bicker. A pause, a momentary lull as his attention left the two squabbling for a moment to regard the other two in the room.

The fact that Soundwave had knelt was not lost on Megatron. It raised questions in his mind that as yet had no answers, but he was not overly vexed as to this just yet. Answers would be forthcoming....they always were. But seeing the one who’s loyalty was never to be questioned actually kneeling to him ignited a tiny spark of irritation. A sense of “what now”? What could cause Soundwave to kneel? The only individual whom Megatron never worried about, should he have to leave the Decepticons for any length of time?

Shockwave’s slight bow was noticed as well. It was enough for the Warlord. The lack of emotion, and his previous position, gave Shockwave a not- undeserved status himself. Should the other have made no notice of his presence, however, would have caused Megatron some annoyance. But as little as it was, it was enough for the dark silver mech.

That left Knock Out, and Starscream.

The fact Knock Out did not notice him at first was not surprising. While he was a good doctor, and did good work on the Vehicons and named Decepticons alike, keeping them in fighting form, it was no secret the cherry red mech was high strung, shallow, and completely self absorbed. In fact, Megatron was mildly amused he hadn’t noticed Megatron’s reflection in Knock Out’s glossy frame, he spent so much time looking at himself.

Crimson optics locked on Knock Out, almost pinning him to the spot for the briefest of seconds, before he turned his attention to Starscream, who had yet to notice him.

Starscream’s words hadn’t gone unnoticed. In all honesty, Megatron would have been somewhat disappointed if Starscream hadn’t been crowing about becoming the leader of the Decepticons. He imagined it had probably taken Starscream all of 30 seconds before he had claimed the role, and idly wondered if Starscream had even pretended to look for his “Master”.

No matter. Starscream never disappointed.

Moving large servos to clasp behind his back, Megatron bent at the waist, bringing his large torso down a little closer to Starscream’s helm, and spoke, his voice sounding mild, even amused.....and cold.

“And just what else do you have to do that is so important, that you cannot hear the words of your own CMO, Lord Starscream?”

Megatron gave a bemused smile, denta flashing in the stark light of the Assembly Hall.

[Starscream]

Starscream could only tsk as Knock Out didn’t seem to get the hint, continuing on with his backtalk as if had more importance and say here than he actually did. Long, taloned digits flexed and curled at his sides in an agitated manner - and his lip pulled back into an unamused sneer.

He wasn’t paying attention to what Shockwave and Soundwave were doing. While Knock Out had apologized to them, he would too - only once the cherry-red priss had left the room. The fact he’d let this go on long enough was an insult though, and as much as he’d love to put Knock Out in his place with more drawn out conversation and verbal attacks, his reply was a short one.

“Then you better go and instruct them, Doctor.” a snarled response, and hopefully enough for Knock Out to realize he'd long overstayed his welcome. 

But Knock Out wasn’t looking at him anymore- he’d turned, and was staring at the direction of the doorway. Maybe the presence of Soundwave and Shockwave had gotten to him, maybe the realization of what he’d just barged in on had caught up to him and he was second-guessing everything, as there was no retort from the cherry-red Mech. Just silence.

Until another voice cut through the momentary quiet, and Starscream’s wings hiked up harshly in alarm.

He froze for a moment, wondering if this was some kind of trick. Soundwave had various sound files, taken from their day to day speech and chatter - was this… no. It wasn’t.

It couldn’t.

Sheepishly, he would turn his helm first, flinching and doing an almost-double take of pure disbelief before the rest of his frame followed - gaze shifting upward as he turned to face his Master. Even with Megatron bending at the waist, his size was immense.

“L-Lord Megatron?!” he stammered, optics wide. He found himself shrinking back, his wings that had hiked in alarm at the sound of the Warlord’s voice had quickly wilted, and both arms instinctively rose some in front of himself. A defensive gesture, cowering almost.

“You’re alive?!”

His optics were transfixed almost on Megatron, not sparing a glance to Soundwave or Shockwave. How had he come back? WHEN had he come back?! It had to have been just now- had Soundwave been behind this?! How long had he known!?

His processor quickly catching up to him, realizing Megatron had asked a question. Of all the times for him to return, of all the things to walk in on - it’d been when he’d been acting like a foolish sparkling! And after everything he’d achieved!

“I am sorry you had to witness such nonsense, Master! Until Knock Out’s intrusion, we were discussing our Energon production, a-among other things!”

Fingertips gently pressing together, it was then he spared a glance to the two mechs behind Megatron, before looking back up at their Warlord a second later. One wing twitching just slightly. Resisting the urge to boast, resisting the urge to explain his accomplishments - knowing they would do no good at all after the childish nonsense Megatron had just seen.

“So, ah- My Lord, if I may ask…” he started, nervously “Where have you been all this time?”

[Knock Out]

Knock Out had better things to do than quip back at Starscream. His attention and gaze on Megatron, following the actions of Soundwave and Shockwave and offering their Warlord a rather enthusiastic bow after those few moments of initial horror where he’d felt unable to move at all.

Then, he would quickly sidestep and away to one side - while he knew damn well he was going to face some sort of wrath from somebody in this room for his unprofessionalism, he’d rather not be within striking distance of Megatron when the time came. He couldn't help but note that their Warlord looked rather tired and beat up and therefore probably not in the mood to deal with any of this petty mess.

He stood still, ready to speak if addressed - ready to answer any questions, or even leave the room entirely should he be ordered to.

Megatron spoke then, finally, and he’d honestly forgotten the deep sense of fear his voice brought. Even if their Warlord was seemingly on his side in this matter, there were no witty retorts or even knowing smirks crossing his faceplate in the direction of the Seeker.

He was quiet, watching and listening as Starscream attempted to explain things- and asked the question that was probably on everyone’s processor…

Just where had Megatron been all this time?