[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Allegiance (Bladewing, Blue, Soundwave)

[Deleted]

Week 1 day 1


After the repairs were done Blue had woken up. It had been quite apparent that the little creature was extremely flighty and nervous, while Bladewing's frame language was very protective.

Bladewing felt how much Blue didn't want to be here and how unsafe this place felt to him, even though Knock Out had just repaired them and did nothing to intimidate them. 

There was a tugging at the bond. 'Can we go now?'

The seeker slightly shook his head and opened the bond to share his memories of the time from being woken up by Knock Out until now with his symbiont. 

There were several emotions going through his frame language and the bond, but he finally calmed a little and nodded and sent his understanding, even though he really didn't like to lose his independence and freedom like this. But then again Blue might have the opportunity to learn from the Scientists maybe even his idol Shockwave, which placated Blue.

 

To those watching them the two seemed to be in silent discussion without any words said. After Knock Out's scan of them there was no use to hide the fact they were carrier and cassette. 

When their silent conversation had ended Bladewing offered Blue his lower arm so he could attach himself to his host.

(Mentions of Knock Out having repaired Blue and Bladewing are agreed to by Ren)

[Deleted]

As soon as Blue had been able to had fled the repair table and to the safety of Bladewing's frame. At least this time he had woken up, he wasn't in pain and better yet, his mind was clear and sharp again. His intellect was his most valuable possession, more valuable even than his little collection of treasures.
But now they were repaired and it was time to leave and return to their base, to their home, to safety, right? Right?

But Bladewing crushed his hope quickly. They weren't leaving, this was unexpected and quite worrying.
When Bladewing shared his memories with him he stared up at his host in despair, anger, fear and utter disbelieve. This must be a bad joke - or a bad dream. This couldn't be true…
For a moment he had to fight the dark clutches of panic, but then he managed to think it all through. Given the situation Bladewing had done the only logical thing in order to ensure their survival. And of course he couldn't have asked him, since he'd been out cold. Still it stung. And he couldn't help but feel, for the first time since he met the seeker, not as an equal partner, but a possession. Even though he felt how bad his carrier felt about having made this big decision without him.

Bladewing even tried to make it up to him by showing him the up sides of their new life situation. Even baiting him with opportunity to meet his idol - and maybe, just maybe become his assistent and learn from him. Bladewing really must be wanting to make it up to him, since Blue knew very well just how much the seeker despised and maybe even feared Shockwave for his role in the destruction of Vos.

When it was time to leave the medbay he gladly took the offer to combine and with a little jump he transformed into his weapon-form and attached himself to Bladewing's left lower arm.
He felt a short caressing touch to his barrel, before they left the medbay in order to meet Soundwave.

[Soundwave]

From simple to complex, this Neutral pair was stepping into a less than pleasant situation.

Bladewing had it all cut out for him. He had shown honest true loyalty, an earnest want to impress Starscream, and a pledge that set him right into the False Lord's good graces. His claws had been dug down so deep it seemed, that Soundwave would relent to general safety precautions. If Starscream favored this individual that much, it would not matter if he played loyal to the Decepticons in full and remained in Blackridge, or if he stayed in the wilds and served the Sky Lord beneath the veil. Should he act in secret, he would likely know where Blackridge was anyway.

It was futile to set up outlier accommodations.

However, Blue then occurred.

The introduction of this Cassette changed everything in an instant. All of the hard work, all of the well-placed foundations... they were worthless. The duo had been slammed back to step one as Starscream had not shown favor to the Cassette, and because of that things had to take a VERY different path from before.

Soundwave had no grasp on Blue's allegiance, and anything the mech could spout out now could be influenced by his Carrier. He had been down and out when Bladewing spoke... showing at least that the seeker's words were his own, yet Blue? Oh. Blue could be piped and fed things to say now that both were conscious and aware. A puppet that did not reveal his true intentions while having ulterior motives... While many could accuse Cassettes as begin 'pets' and as such if Bladewing was trusted, Blue should be too, Soundwave did not follow such beliefs at all and found them insulting. Cassettes could be fully independent souls and were not defined by their 'owner'.

As such, Soundwave trusted him as much as any other defector, and without Starscream around there was no amount of compliments and ancient oaths that could derail things from this path.

Outside the Medical Bay, Soundwave stood just to the left of the door, his back close to the stone wall so that his frame was tucked out of the way so that workers and other individuals could walk past unobstructed. As always, he could seem so inert, so 'dead' compared to most. He did not shift his weight, did not roll a shoulder or move arms into a lax position... he merely stared straight ahead with a blank visor, and limbs were slung down at either side loosely. There was no motion to be seen in any way, that is... until the duo made their exit.

Soundwave's helm turned as they stepped out, locking down to visually scan Bladewing for any changes. He quickly picked up on where the Cassette was docked, noting he formed a weapon of some kind that broadened the mech's forearm. While an educated guess could be made on what exactly the weapon was given its shape, it was so difficult to truly say, and it was pointless to mull and ponder on it when he could get the report from Knock Out anyway. It would be good to get that, and other threats, figured out so that if things did go sideways he knew what he was up against.

Making 'eye contact' a moment, Soundwave would smoothly lean forward and start to walk down the hall. There was an unspoken word to 'follow', an implication given the fact he did not move until the duo made themselves apparent. However, if they did not catch onto this invitation and did not follow? He would stop and turn to look over his shoulder, waiting.

[Deleted]

It wasn't surprising to see Soundwave waiting for them just near the door to the medbay and stepping out into the open - and in their path almost the moment they stepped into the corridor.
Even though Bladewing hadn't dealt with Soundwave in person before the silent mech had a reputation.

Bladewing stopped as Soundwave regarded him and waited, most likely he had already been reading the file Knock Out had made for the two of them and would therefore know about their connection. That was … unfortunate in a best case scenario, as the worry of Blue being captured in order to hold his cassette over him to ensure compliance was always nagging at the back of his mind.

Bladewing felt more than actually saw that Soundwave was scanning his frame from crest to toe and to the seeker it almost felt like the silent spy-master had some way of even scanning his very spark. He didn't like this. He hadn't liked it when it had been done during his basic training by his mentor and he didn't like it now. The thoughts of freedom and equality were unfortunately as unpopular now as they were before the uprise.

Soundwave started to move just after his gaze met his optics - at least Bladewing supposed it did since the angle of his head as well as some gut feeling told him so. He followed the silent mech, noting just how silent he really was. Not just that he didn't speak, but also his frame didn't produce much of a sound.
Bladewing had thought he had a light step and a silent engine - for a seeker - but compared with Soundwave? He was about as silent and had a step as light as a drunk miner after a hard shift.

He could feel Blue's growing nervousness and it only served to feed his own worries, even though he tried to keep them from bleeding through the bond. He wanted to calm his nervous symbiont not rile him up even more.
In subconscious movement he patted the nullray on his arm from time to time or caressed it lightly with the backsides of his claws.

Bladewing would follow Soundwave to wherever he would lead them. Keeping his silence unless spoken to by the spy master, while making a mental map of the corridors they were moving through and, with the assistance of Blue, taking in each detail of their surroundings.

[Soundwave]

Soundwave was an observational individual. He saw much, he recorded all, and he had an eye for small details. This only really played a good role when he was facing someone however, needing to witness any actions that were being taken. That said, within Blackridge that wasn't as much of a concern. Security feeds, rickety plastered in cameras to keep tabs on everything... while the video quality did not compare to the Nemesis in any way, and security wasn’t as clean due to it, it was still there, and as such Bladewing was being observed in a hazy video even as the other mech's back was to him.

It was a saving grace that Soundwave knew that the weapon was a Cassette that kept Bladewing's nervous action from being seen as a possible threat. Touching a weapon, fiddling with it, it could be translated as an anxious thought process, debating using the tool to lash out in some way when opportunity presented itself. It could be seen as suspicious or something to be concerned over, yet Soundwave did not pay it much heed. He had taken note Blue was a weapon, he knew that the other mech could still raise his Cassette and take a shot off that so few others had opportunity to take given the navy mech's elusive nature... however that would be an act of suicide so deep in Blackridge with no means to fly away to freedom.

Especially as Soundwave was guiding them lower into the base.

Past the Control Room and Exits.

Down a curved path with a steeper slope.

So, the anxious movements were disregarded as the acts of a protector sheltering their companion.

Soft clicking footfalls, the plastic dampeners within the navy mech's limbs did well to quiet his footfalls, an almost hollow like click heard with a crackled grit of the floor that grew more and more hastily formed the deeper they went. It was at the bottom of the twisting 'stairwell', that Soundwave took a hooked right into a large and vacant room. It was roughed up and ragged, less formed than many others, a void area with blast marks and scrapes scored around it. While it was technically a 'training room', it would do well as a place of discussion where a shot weapon could do no actual harm.

Stopping mid-way across the room, Soundwave would turn about face, looking at Bladewing intently.

//͢Consider that as I ask- //̸ -what do you offer //̵ the Decepticons-? /̶/

Blunt, direct. While Bladewing already said much before, the silent mech's visor would angle down slightly towards the forearm 'weapon'.

[Deleted]

Bladewing followed Soundwave through the corridors, taking note of the glyphs, hinting what could be found behind the doors. The focus of his optics and other sensors danced around himself, assessing his surroundings, taking note of possible abush points, exit routes and places that could be easily defended. He also took note of guards and others who might cross their path. His wings took note of every gust passing by, as even if they were artificial they helped him with the creation of his mental map.
It had been something he and his squadron of fast responders had trained so often that it had become second nature to all of them, when entering an unknown building.
He also took note of the scents his facial vents were picking up. While it had smelled of sanitizer and cleaning fluids the air had become more and more stale the deeper they were going down into the base. It smelled of ore and metal dust and for a moment he even caught the scent of raw energon, maybe there was a storage nearby.

Bladewing's frame language was calm and nonthreatening, if one ignored the light touches to the nullray. They were almost subconscious as his frame reacted to the growing unease of his cassette.
Even though others might have been happy for such an opportunity to take Soundwave out Bladewing didn't even think about it. He didn't have a reason to, at least right now. He might not like or trust the spy but that wasn't exactly a reason - at least for him. Soundwave hadn't threatened him or Blue and attacking him would only turn the Decepticons and Starscream against them, which would be suicide. And there was only one mech he felt suicidal enough to try and take out should they ever meet face to face and that was Megatron.

The only occasions Bladewing's wings would become a little twitchy were coinciding with the opening of a ground bridge portal to or from the base. The seeker's sensors were still somewhat sore from overloading them by stepping through the portal and the tiny ripples the portals sent through the fabric of reality were … unpleasant.

When they had reached their destination Bladewing positioned himself across from Soundwave and at a polite distance. The room was either one made for training or executions - most likely both.
He listened to Soundwave's questions. Straight to the point, he wouldn't have expected anything else.

"I offer my skills as a squadron leader of the former Air Command of Vos. I'm also capable of detecting raw energon as well as distortions in space-time, like those for example created by a ground or space bridge portal."
When he had finished he looked down to were Blue was clinging to his arm, encouraging him to let go and answer Soundwave's question.

[Deleted]

Blue had been growing more and more anxious the deeper they were going down into the base. He wasn't claustrophobic, quite the opposite, but this was an enemy base and and some stranger not even Bladewing found trustworthy was leading them right into the unknown depths of it.

Right now he wanted nothing more than to leave and hide somewhere, but that wasn't an option as Bladewing was determined to pull through with this and Blue trusted the seeker. It was a trust Bladewing had earned himself over thousands of years of their partnership before they had bonded as well as the time after they'd done this. Blue had never regretted his decision and deep down he knew that Bladewing was right. It was the only logical choice, given their circumstances, if they wanted to have a proper chance of survival. 

And Bladewing trusted Starscream, more so he saw him the same way as Blue did Shockwave, as an idol. 

The small touches helped to keep Blue from panicking as did the reassurance that Bladewing was sending through their bond.

And then, finally, they reached their destination. The room was rather creepy as it looked like a place of violence.
Then Soundwave asked his question and without hesitation Bladewing had answered. Now it was his turn, but that meant that he would have to leave the comforting security of his host's arm.
'Don't worry, I'll protect you.' Bladewing told him through their bond. 'Nothing bad will happen.' And alongside a wave of reassurance and calm: 'Trust me.'


Finally Blue found it within himself to let go, even if just reluctantly. He jumped to the ground, just to regard Soundwave with green optics big with fear. The looming figure of the silent mech seemed so much bigger from down here.
For a moment Blue just stood there, almost frozen except for the spikes protruding from his forearms flaring and clamping down in nervous fits. His spark was pulsing heavily within his chest and his vents were almost hitching. Not even the calming reassurance sent by Bladewing did much to chase away the panic crawling up his processors. Frightening thoughts were crossing his mind. He was a weapon-former and people liked weapon-formers, liked to possess them, thinking they made them strong. Soundwave was a carrier, so he might just snatch him away and force him by coding to be his cassette from now on…
Scared by that prospect he quickly darted behind Bladewing's left leg, using the little winglet protruding from his lower leg as a cover.
Blue opened his mouth to speak but took quite a few moments until he had found the courage to speak.
"I-I… I'm Blue…" The little sentence seemed to have cost little cassette much strength.
"I…" the room started twisting and turning and Stativ filled his audio receptors as the black claws of fear dreaded to drag him under, chasing any thought away apart from 'not safe…'
He just wanted to be home…

Next thing he knew was that Bladewing was holding him in his arms while flooding the bond with care and protectiveness to chase away the darkness. His carrier was a safe place away from home and ever so slowly Blue managed to calm down enough to speak on.
"I'm... I'm a-a weapon-former." He stated before quickly adding: "I-I belong to Bladewing." Pressing into the seeker's frame as if to emphasize his statement.
"I'm good at acquiring things ... from places that are restricted… or-or finding things before they got lost… I'm also good at learning. I-I learn how to become a scientist." Blue's optics visibly lit up as he started to speak about his passion and even some of his nervousness seemed to have eased some.
"I'm very clever, and I want to be a great scientist one day. Like Shockwave and Perceptor." His voice sounded excited now. "And I thought, maybe I could be working as Shockwave's asistent?" A wistful edge was laced into Blue's voice at this last sentence, as for him that would be a dream coming true.
Having said that the cassette's courage seemed to falter once more as he looked at Soundwave with wary optics, while seeking shelter within his carrier's arms.

[Soundwave]

Sensing Bridge Portals?

This was of particular interest, catching Soundwave's attention in an instant to a point his posture shifted slightly which was a notable thing. He would wish to know how far the reach was, how strong the senses. He would want to know if there were possibly some way to boost its range if it were not sufficient, considering if the energy signatures could be picked up on even should the Bridge itself be within an attempted shield that muddled signatures. The technology ran on different 'frequencies', nowhere near the output of communications or life signs, though it all depended on the type of shields Omega One used.

The navy mech knew the Autobots were in Nevada. So many clues lead there, so many bits of dappled information, leading all the way over to the human companions that roamed the remote city. They had to be nearby to some extent, yet surveillance of the area did not pinpoint anything. They couldn't often fly too much in the area to stalk it out, military presence meaning unknown figures in the sky could be picked up and zeroed in on. Yet, a figure on the ground could be overlooked in the vast wilderness... and if said figure could patrol aimlessly until a Bridge portal happened to open in Omega... should he luck out and pick up that feed knowing it was in a certain direction within a certain length of space...

Oh. It would not take long for the Decepticons to encircle their target. Even without the great laser upon the Nemesis they would be able to do much. Wipe out the rat's nest in an instant before they ever knew what had hit them. At least, should Megatron approve such a thing to begin with. Soundwave knew well the grudge and vengeance that fueled the silver mech. A want to abolish his foe by his own hand rather than permit some other individual to take such glory. Perhaps him pushing the button alone would suffice, if not an alternative plan with Optimus lured out so the rest of his Autobots could be eliminated while he was alienated from home.

Bladewing was going to be tested. There would be experiments and trials. Utilizing frequency blockers while opening bridges to see if he could sense it and what range it held. Should he stay true to their cause, this would be his life now, seeking fuel or leading a new squadron not on the table as far as Soundwave was concerned. Their lord or Second in Command could always change this however dependent on goals.

Soundwaves attention then shifted to the smaller mech, focusing upon him intently to take in what details he could about body posture and what sort of 'aura' he gave off. If he were belligerent and a burden, or what else. Only, instead of confidence or just uncertainty, Blue instantly flicked into nervous fear, a meek scared response of hiding behind the seeker's leg to protect him. This fear seemed to bubble over so violently the little mech passed out? Scooped up by his carrier.

There was no need to cower in such a way, for as intimidating as Soundwave may seem he was not here for blood, yet he made no action to disarm such terror, focusing instead on the words that were spoken once Bladewing quelled some of Blue's anxiety enough for words to even be formed.

A thief could be useful, a tiny thief even more so.

He would be able to lurk where others could not, able to escape between the cracks as fingertips raked the ground where they had just been. Soundwave appreciated that skill for what it was, then took in the aspirations and more mental talents Blue possessed. To hear that he aimed to become Shockwaves assistant? Now that was a bold aspiration. Perhaps if he was a tried and true sworn in Decepticon for years such a thing could be arranged, pushed into the ring of fire to see if he could keep up. Soundwave didn't know where the little one's talents hit limitation, but Shockwave would find that edge in an instant.

Yet Blue was a Neutral up until this point.

To be in such a lab would put every major project at risk. The wrong combination of chemicals or a crossed wire could devastate what they have recovered from the Nemesis, and obliterate their current work on expanding the Space Bridge. A Neutral out with a grudge could cause so much damage there. As such, Soundwave did not regard that as an option at this time. Blue needed to prove his worth, yet potential placement depended on the sciences themselves, for 'scientist' was such a broad term with many different subsections.

//̸-a scientist /́/̴ in what/͡/̕

That was all that was said for now, Blue's own words puppeted back with a robotic twang of the recording and speakers, followed by a low rumbled growl of a voice that was modulated.

[Deleted]

Bladewing had stood in silence after answering Soundwave's question. Just offering calm support to his cassette and shielding provided by his frame as Blue needed a place to hide. He could feel how the fear had been bubbling up and taken over the other's processors in mere seconds, making them stall and crash his mind.
He'd quickly scooped him up just as was about to collapse, offering him a safe place within his arms hoping to eliminate the lingering fear of being taken away. It wasn't the first time this happened and Blue came back around quickly enough, so Bladewing hadn't been too worried. It would just have made things worse anyway. What Blue needed was a sense of security and safety after all.
He listened in silence to what Blue had to say when he finally found his voice and dearly hoped this would have been enough for the spy, as he could feel just how exhausted his symbiont was. But Soundwave had another question for Blue and so Bladewing remained silent and protective as he mentaly encouraged his cassette to answer the question.
All the while he wondered what was going within Soundwave's head, as his frame didn't give away any clues as to what he was thinking. He just hoped that the spy asking Blue to specify his statement was a good sign.

[Deleted]

Blue had hoped that he had been done and that they were free to find a secure place to settle down either within the base or on the outside. But Soundwave had another question for him. And even though he normally loved nothing more than to talk about science and which kind of science he liked the most and in what he wanted to specialize as soon as he had finished with the basics and what he wanted to create with his knowledge, now he only wanted a silent and safe place with no other people. He felt stressed out and exhausted, but apparently answering Soundwave's question was the only way to get rest and solitude.
So he gathered his strength once more, happy for the mental support his carrier provided, and moved his frame into an upright position.
"I-I have studied the basics of mathematics and physics as they're needed for a better understanding of everything. But I'm specializing into chemistry and biology and I want to go into biochemistry and biophysics, and-and maybe genetics, if I find the time. Yes…" His voice trailed off as he thought of anything else to add, but couldn't think of anything. His head seemed strangely empty. "I-I'm still learning, but I'm good at learning… I promise." He finally added, before falling silent.
This time however he didn't curl up into hiding within Bladewing's arms but stayed upright, regarding Soundwave with wary and nervous optics that bore just a slight hint of curiosity. Blue had opted to sink back into hiding, but he knew that if he did he wouldn't be able to muster the strength to rise and speak to the scary carrier once more.

[Soundwave]

It was a pity that Blue was unproven. While his skill would be on a lower level than Shockwave, the mech's chosen subsections and broad range of interests and learning were more in line with his talents than any other scientist on the team at present. Soundwave knew the Commander had been tinkering on CNA and other tasks during the war, a program that was rather valuable once upon a time. Should that directive be resurrected from an order by Megatron? Well, Blue's assistance, even if the tasks were trivial, would be a good thing to have. Yet, it was sidelined by more pressing objectives, such as raising the Nemesis which overshadowed every other project in its seriousness.

A mere basics in physics wouldn't do too terribly much versus the complexity of expanding a Space Bridge portal beyond its standard limitations... ah well. Blue would not be set to such roles out of the gate anyway, an individual needed to look after the cassette and evaluate them without being derailed too much from intended goals. It was quite beneficial then that they had a chemist that had yet to find footing in any way. Lack of grievously valuable projects, it not detrimental should something get moderately derailed for a short spurt...

Pipette may not have been planning for a helper of any kind, the idea may be against wishes and cause irritation, but the fact of the matter was Blue needed someone to hover and watch over him. See if his statements were birthed from reality, or mere words to get on Soundwave's good side and help them land the duo stable, but temporary, home. If he claimed he could do these things and was found to be lacking in capability? A fool trying to play with the big kids? Well... that would be handled when the time came.

//̕Assigned // job //̨ in due time/͜/̛

With a mental note made on what roles they would be filling, all while neglecting to give any real input or clue as to his plans, Soundwave then continued, leaving the previous conversation hollowly unfinished. The first words were smooth and clean, proper with a low rumble. In contrast, the last were sharper, unmistakable as Starscream's own despite it being a recording.

/̴/Working Order//̛

A grumbled droll, a voice from an individual that had a bit of annoyed grit behind it.

/͢/̨-report on your activities and interactions//͞

Hollow, mechanical. A clip from Shockwave's own words.

//̛Who //̨ did //̕ you serve//͢

Gritty words, it easy to guess it came from a large brawler of some kind, with a single femme's statement spliced in. Soundwave expected the normal hollow reply of most Neutrals. "I serve only myself!" or some other variation of it. There was always a slim chance however, a little flicker of possibility they had at one point reported to a Neutral colony or other establishment. A grouping to make note of and mill more information. This chance is what made Soundwave ask.

[Deleted]

Bladewing studied Soundwave's frame language intensely while Blue spoke. Or at least he tried since there wasn't anything to read on the silent mech's frame. There was a saying that you couldn't not communicate... Well, Soundwave could, and that was immensely frustrating for Bladewing and it only served to have his own nervousness creep up into his processors and spark. Even though he tried to contain those feelings for the sake of Blue. His partner was already nervous and scared enough, he didn't need to be further burdened by his feelings.
"I served the Air Command of Vos, then I served the Decepticon Cause and then I served my little partner here and became a trader for the lost and found. I worked together with local neutrals around Crystal City from time to time as well as for trading agents of both factions." He answered. "If you wish I could go more into detail, but I'm afraid that any contact information we have might be a little outdated due to us having been buried in stasis on this planet for about two million years - and the fact that Cybertron had obviously died and been abandoned." He added in a somewhat apologetic voice with a hint of sadness and disbelieve as he spoke about the fate of Cybertron. That was an informationen, that still weighed heavily on his spark. He wanted to reason that he'd lost his home long ago with the fall of Vos, but having lost Cybertron still stung. Maybe because now all chances and hopes of rebuilding and there being new generations of seekers populating their rebuild home were shattered for good now.
Bladewing shook those thoughts away. He had to concentrate  on the here and now. And right now he needed to hope and pray that everything was turning out fine for the two of them. Whether they became Decepticons or not.

On the plus side was that their chances of survival were ignificantly better now , even if they didn't become part of the Decepticons. They'd been repaired and hopefully they'd have a trading partner in the Decepticons. He was also briefly thinking about whether he would be working as a squadron leader again, but most not - at least not right away. He'd most likely earn the leadership's trust again. He was also thinking about Blue. He knew he was excited about the prospect of working within a lab alongside a real scientist. But Bladewing was doubting that, although he was keeping those thoughts from his cassette for now. Most likely they'd want to use his other talents.
But that were thoughts to think through when a decision had been made. Right now he could just stand here, give answers to Soundwave's questions and strengthen his symbiont. And of course await the final decision of the Decepticon High Command.

Hopefully he'd made the right decision. But even if he hadn't, there was no turning back now anyway. He just wished that he wouldn't be made regretting it like the decision to not leave them when Stormsinger had asked him to, but instead had convinced his trine mate to join the cause. It had been his mistake, his error of judgement, and his mates had paid the price... What if this was a mistake Blue had to pay the price for...?
He quickly cut that string of thoughts. This wasn't helpful right now. They'd have to wait and see what would be decided regarding their fates. Then they could contemplate their situation and whether or not they needed to change it.
Only Alpha Trion knew what the future would bring...

[Deleted]

Blue regarded Soundwave as he formulated his next question. His optics grew wide as mentioned whom he served. The question brought some old fears up and it took only moments for him to work himself up enough so that he didn't even hear what Bladewing said.

Darkness and static had once again started to fill his sensors, but he couldn't let the fear win. Even air circulations, he reminded himself. In and out. In and out.



It took him a little moment longer before he was calm enough again to answer.

“I-I’m not… I’m no servant. I-I was to be one, but then the war came a-and I ran away. I… don’t wanna serve anyone, I don’t want to belong to anyone… I-I collected what I needed and-and only traded very few times. But… when Bladewing joined me, we-we did that more, because we could get better and more things back. A-and we were sometimes asked to find things a-and rewarded when we did.”

Having said that Blue fell silent once more. The little cassette looked and felt exhausted beyond measure. Having woken up into this strange new world without any safe places other than the frame of his host and having to deal with so many people, and knowing that this would be his life from now on… It was extremely stressful and taxing and Blue wanted nothing more than closing his optics falling into recharge and wake up within the safety of his own little base, where he and Bladewing were the only inhabitants. But that was a wish no one could grant him.

He sighted. At least here he would be able to learn. And he had the opportunity to meet Shockwave.

After a short moment he looked at Soundwave again. “I-I no servant. I don’t belong to anyone. I-I’m my own mech.” He said feeling the need to make sure that this point has come across.

[Soundwave]

Outdated or not, ancient and far abandoned to time... sometimes the most mundane and inert contacts and bits of information could create bridges and fill gaps. Unknown links between two groupings, a bit of history that bound two separate events together into a unified instance... While the data Bladewing had was more likely than not useless, to cast it aside would be careless and an act of a lazy individual. All it took was a bit of effort, a bit of time, and it could turn up some interesting things even if it was nothing more than clarifying how something happened. It was because of that, despite how Bladewing seemed to feel it was meaningless, Soundwave was content with that answer.

A subtle dip of the helm, a nod of confirmation... He would want what could be offered.

/̸/While the details may be small, they may be significant//͞

Starscream's words, decisive with a bit of annoyance. A formal request would be given to Bladewing later, so he could mull things over at his own pace to really root back and find valuables. Whatever the case, attention then shifted to the smaller Cybertronian.

It was interesting how individuals translated minimally worded questions. It told much about how they thought and what paranoia may lie beneath the shadows. Bladewing's answer had been what was hoped for. Helpful, wanting to offer what he could, and being humble about it all with no overt grandiose statements of being a lone wolf that served no one. Yet Blue? Well, Blue had gone down a more anxious path, betraying instantly his unease at the term 'serve' and how he translated it.

It was not unheard of, many of his type could find unease at the prospect, many forced to fill roles and work under individuals they did not want. Soundwave was not blind to the plight of Cassettes and others like them, and as such words that could be red flags and warning sirens were more a low simmer that need only be investigated more. It is because of this his helm crooked quizzically to the side some, looking directly upon Blue with the faceless visor, its slick surface almost reflecting his own image before it illuminated with new wavelengths.

/̷/͘-Serve Lord Megatron's orders-?/͜/̧

A mechanical rumble, a very direct question. Blue may think he will not serve anyone, but it had to be clear that if he were to join the Decepticons he WOULD be serving their cause and their Lord. While Megatron was currently... unavailable... and as such it should have been a question of Starscream's orders, Soundwave felt this was a much more pointed approach to judge their reactions. If they refused to serve Megatron and only served Starscream? There could be issues there, for they must adhere to the Decepticon cause. If Blue panicked and refused to serve anything?

They will cross that bridge if they got to it.

[Deleted]

Soundwave's question was met by a moment of silence by Bladewing as he considered his answer. It wasn't that he didn't know the answer to that question. It was the question if he should say it or not. And what would be the consequences. They hadn't seen any vital parts of the base, and they didn't know its location. So, considering that Soundwave was one of the more reasonable Decepticons, chances were pretty high that they were just thrown out into the desert again to survive on their own. And maybe they could even find some kind of trading arrangements. That however was a potential bridge to be crossed later.
The question also made him a little sad. It did show once more that the majority of the Decepticons didn't see Starscream as their leader but some stand in until their real leader returned.

Bladewing had his gaze cast down when he had been thinking, now he looked up again and Soundwave directly into the visor.
"No." The answer was plain and simple and spoken with a firm voice. There was no explanation, since Soundwave had already heard what he had said about Megatron and his reasons to leave the cause and to return now, when they'd first met. This hadn't changed in the last few hours.

After a short moment however he clarified his answer: "Serve the Decepticon cause, serve Starscream? Yes, without a second thought, as I still believe in what this insignia stands for. But Megatron? No, never again."
There was conviction evident in his frame language, what he said he didn't say to please or to appeal to someone, but because those were his deepest, own beliefs.

Now he stood there once again in silence, stance proud, unwavering and somewhat like a soldier at attention, as he waited what Soundwave had to say to that.