[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Prelude to the Hunt [Closed]

[Soundwave]

Episode 3 | Week 4 | Day 7

The meeting had gone well.

No.

Not meeting.

There was no room for discussion on the parts of others. No bouncing of ideas, no questions that could be asked without repercussions... If someone had an issue? They were to keep it to themselves and simply take the word of Megatron as law. Should they truly have concerns, they could approach one of the higher ranking officers to filter and see if it was something they could brush aside or deal with themselves. Wasting the Warlord's time for potentially one sided opinions or contesting goals was a mission of a fool seeking only to annoy.

That is, unless irritating him was the end goal of such an adventure.

Whatever the case, while much was learned in that relatively short stretch, still needing to process it all and compile a full readout on the room and their visual reactions to the words spoken, there were bigger issues in play. Namely, the fact their CMO was not present for the meeting. Someone who held a rather notable standing and should be aware of what sorts of problems would be on the horizon. Aware, and showing respect to their leader and what he had to say.

While Knock Out had a spotty track record at times due to his desire to get involved in street races and other things he shouldn’t be participating in, he knew better. He simply knew when things were important, and when all other concerns had to be promptly dropped to try to make it a priority. While Soundwave hadn't interacted with Knock Out beyond reports filtered from other outposts before Starscream had summoned him to service, the time he has had to observe him directly revealed enough to get a decent grasp on how he thought and carried himself.

As such, Knock Out's absence from the gathering, with no observations of him disappearing into the Medical Bay with an emergency, as well as no logs of him being sent out to the mines to tend with something there, brought on its heel a level of concern. Said concern could shift to irritation upon a less than ideal excuse, however acting promptly as though something were truly wrong was a more wise choice when time could be slipping between their fingers.

Leaving the gathering once others had dispersed, Soundwave moved with calm determination towards the Control Room where their primary computer system was installed. He did not look around to observe others as he passed them. A single glance not even offered while he made his way to the offset room. He had a goal, and it was more than apparent that it was not a time to confront him even if they had a problem of their own.

Once Soundwave passed the threshold, a reeling noise was heard, clicking links of metal running against a hard surface as one of the data cables unspooled. It snaked forward ahead of him as he walked, latching onto the front relay to start giving commands even before he settled in front of the terminal. The very second that the contact was made, darkened monitors shuddered active, starting to show a mass of code that flowed at a rapid pace.

Soundwave would begin his hunt to figure out just where their CMO was.

[Starkrieger]

Something wasn’t right.

The assembly and its implications were pushed to the back of the Starkrieger’s mind, except for a single observation. Knock Out had failed to attend. It wouldn’t have mattered, if not for what followed. Claw tips brushed his recently repaired plating, lingering over weld lines he was anxious to get the medic's assurances on. He had needed to see him anyway, was expected actually, as he had not yet been cleared to return to duty. That was supposed to happen this evening, assuming everything went well.

Wings raised high, he strode through the hall, bearing down on the Control Room. Optics narrowed as he dwelled on what had instead taken place. Subdued, as he often was, on his way to the medbay, he’d picked up on tension before he'd arrived. Naturally, he had hesitated. Flatline and Breakdown having, what appeared to be, a confrontation in the hall seemed unusual enough, but of greater concern was the subject of their discussion. Knock Out wasn’t there either, and the two mecha who should know where he was, didn’t. He changed directive immediately. There was no time to risk becoming entangled in some emotional mess of sentimentality and panic (not what he'd witnessed but he wasn't taking chances). If Knock Out was in a bad situation, it required action.

As he reached his destination, the Seeker paused. Perhaps he was being paranoid; he leaned heavily on the side of ‘overprotecting’ medics. He took it as an affront to every soldier when they were threatened. That it was the delightful menace that he considered to be his doctor made it personal.

He needed to get a handle on himself.

Exerting greater control over himself, the Seeker slowed his approach towards Soundwave. Had he been someone else, Starkrieger might have been more assertive… but this was Soundwave. His reputation preceded him, to the furthest outskirts and in the most dire posts at the front. For a mere soldier to have greater awareness than the ‘eyes and ears of the Decepticons' would be laughable. Meaning, the Seeker's sense of urgency was emotional, instead of practical, and he knew it.

So it was, rather than immediately intruding, Starkrieger regulated his behavior. In a closer approximation to what one should expect from a subordinate, he silently moved into the mech's social space to indicate his intention to engage him. Keeping to the side, the soldier resigned himself to wait until Soundwave was ready to acknowledge him, even if it pained him to do so. Which it did, both emotionally and physically. Again servo settled against the armor at the side of his chassis, a nagging ache flaring up in protest. This was the most active he had been since his run in with The Prime, and waiting was lessened distraction circumstance had provided.

---

Medical status collaborated with Ren, vague reference to overhearing Flatline/Breakdown convo cleared with Zer.  Thank you.  


 Conversation overheard referencing  "Waiting Game"

[Soundwave]

Soundwave did not appear to have noticed Starkrieger.

Which was a ludicrous consideration.

The very moment the mech had entered into the archway into the room, Soundwave was already aware of him, keeping a silent bead on where his footfalls landed and where he was maneuvering. The Seeker did not appear to be looking for someone, only to change coarse, nor did he continue forth with some goal to leave Blackridge through the nearby tunnel. Starkrieger’s stop made his intentions apparent enough, and in reply there was nothing in turn. No acknowledgment, no glance, Soundwave simply continuing  on task as the magenta lights gently pulsed down the data cable, narrow fingers tapping quickly across the controls beneath the screens.

Up upon the primary monitor, a large black window formed, though instead of the screen being completely off once again, some lines of code started to jitter active, some glyphs displaying one way before snapping to a new configuration on the next line down, so on and so forth, as every few lines down an etched logo of some sort of business jittered active. From a tilted triangle shape with its top hacked separately, to four oval like shapes twisted with rings cascading to its center, to another triangle with lines cutting the left point aside. There were a couple less abstract logos as well mixed in. A 'DW' in close proximity to one another... the word 'HIKVISION'... and many others.

While this list was starting to populate, Soundwave's visor seemed to finally turn towards Starkrieger, the motion holding a shuddered twitch that ordinarily would not be present in an otherwise smooth action.

Multitasking was something the communications officer could handle quite well, working or logging things while addressing someone else, or trying to juggle two tasks at the same time... all were viable to him. However, this was not an equal split in the matter, the vast majority of his processing power being gifted to whatever commands were showing up on the monitor. Even more business logos shuddered active as an entire list was being produced on the right-hand screen, some lines under each of them with notes and markers.

Yet, despite this continued data milling, he paid attention to the other Cybertronian, his direct eye to 'eye' attention giving the Seeker wordless permission to speak while he had opportunity to do so.

[Starkrieger]

Waiting was a viable part of his function; as, it wasn’t a subordinate’s place to press his commanding officer, at least not generally speaking. Starkrieger's optics absently settled on the screen. It was something to focus on. While it was true that he processed input rapidly, both sensory, and hard data, most code was meaningless to him, it merely served as a distraction.

Movement brought his attention back. As Soundwave turned, there was an answering shift in the way the Seeker presented himself. Rebalancing his weight, his wings shifted, as he straightened his chassis in the transition to a formal stance. The only discrepancy was the twitch in his right optic, brief, as he had been surprised by the pull under his armor, a mild inconvenience.

“Sir” A pause immediately followed. The blank screen he faced wasn’t distressing, but it left little to gauge his response by. Soundwave's frame language was also subtle, leaving room for him to misunderstand how the other mech would be affected by what he said. A fact that hung heavily on his processor. This was amplified by the vibe he gave off. Stoic, guarded, dangerous in a way one could not quite see. Soundwave held all the cards; he likely knew more about Krieg than the Seeker would like, and his rank reflected ability and experience few would ever match. It evoked an uncertainty akin to his first week of basic. Thankfully, he processed emotions as quickly as external input. That pause hadn’t extended beyond what respect might dictate. Outwardly he remained unphased, aside from minute tells, a small pull at his derma and general tension in his frame.

“I’ll be brief. You are aware of the situation in the Medbay?” It was more statement than question, and one that he kept vague. Sometimes ‘situations’ were not meant to be spread through the ranks, and the control room wasn’t a strictly secure location. Thank Primus he was at attention, it had reined his field in, and prevented his mounting nerves from being conveyed so obviously. Usually he would have avoided drawing attention to himself in such a way to an unfamiliar officer. Goading them, or giving them an impression of his casual side was one thing, but to step forward and show initiative was risky business.

“I’m here for information, and to offer my assistance”, he offered this without preamble and quite firmly. There was a need to make it clear, he wasn't just idly troubling the Communications Officer fishing for information. "You should know sir; if there is reason, I intend to act." Having come to Soundwave, he owed him that honesty. Whatever the officer decided, Krieg was a soldier not a drone. He was capable of acting independently, and in this case, admitted his intention to exercise that ability.

[Soundwave]

"I’ll be brief. You are aware of the situation in the Medbay?"

A question that was likely more formal over legitimate. Soundwave knew quite well what was amiss. While he did not place direct surveillance within the room itself, some modicum of privacy offered to those in their most vulnerable mangled states, he was well aware of who entered and exited at what point in time. In addition, he had access to the medical records themselves to line up with individual passes through the doorway. He actively kept an eye out for any discrepancies that could be attributed with masking another's intentions under an illusion of an injury. It was not unheard of for Starscream to venture in such an area in the past, lingering all too long... Whatever the case, what was interesting was the fact Starkrieger had evidently picked up on the fact Knock Out was missing. It was easy to see the mech wasn't there if one was looking for him, though it was another to jump to a more concerned level.

It was noted.

One by one small windows started to open from the leftmost corner of the primary monitor, starting to gradually populate its surface like a noxious corruption that was overtaking everything in its path. Some of the screens were in black and white, while others in full color. Some were crisp and sharp with high detail, while others were blurred with multiple dropped frames into a ragged flipbook. Some were angled to aim outside at the front of buildings or pointed at major highways and roads, while others showed the inside of establishments. The ones that were on the interior of structures, would quickly blot out a moment after they were displayed, swiftly replaced by a new video feed in a sharp shuffle until it locked down on one showing an applicable angle outside.

Humanity was not unlike many parts of Cybertron. Monitored... watched... privacy simply an illusion the moment that one would exit their home and venture out into the world. Even then, some invited cameras into their sanctum, trusting the safety of major security hosts blindly. Businesses that could be a target at any moment, a breach able to occur, malicious forces seeking payment or simply slicing to the videos themselves... That was what occurred in this moment, though it was not through home services, but business security cameras and traffic feeds to start a detailed grid search for an all too recognizable red and gold vehicle.

On the detached monitor to the right side sat a large timestamp on the bottom of the display, marking the date, hour, minute, and even seconds that started to flicker and play at a quicker than normal speed. Above it was lines of jittering and popping code, a visual representation as Soundwave worked to tear into cloud services and systematically pull from the appropriate window. Every inch of the monitors would be covered in security camera boxes, except the bottom rightmost point, that filled in with a wireframe and color render of Knock Out's alt mode that would stand out like a blazing beacon when found.

It was only then that the navy mech replied to the unprompted want to assist, his long arm raising up from where he had been typing to then point upon the image of the Aston Martin as the clock suddenly paused and all screens came to a halt.

Soundwave stared at Starkrieger, arm remaining aloft.

[Starkrieger]

Soundwave might not know everything, but it was generally wise to assume he did, or that he at least knew more than a mech would like. How perceptive he was was harder to peg. Krieg didn't register his concern over Knock Out as noteworthy. He figured his internal justifications explained the impulse to be sure their medic, the CMO no less, was safe. Whether it was an honest evaluation of his motives was another matter. Knock Out was not the first he had been quick to come to the defense of. Of course, there were always reasons, except perhaps for his increased sense of urgency since being picked up by the Nemesis.... not something the Seeker wanted to dwell on.

In his periphery, images flitted across the screen, representing the gist of Soundwave’s continued efforts. Despite the seriousness of the situation, he wondered, how much had the silent mech witnessed that he would rather not have? Match that with the tedium of long stretches where there was nothing of interest to observe and there was no wonder so few found their calling in the kind of work the Spymaster did. Fewer still would prove capable.

As Soundwave raised an arm to point, Krieg's optics followed the path of that single digit. In a conflict of subconscious impulses a mild flare of his wings accompanied an attempt to angle towards the image as it was studied only to transition into a slow pull back that was just as minute. Krieg hadn’t seen the medic’s alt before, aside from Knock Out's color scheme, and general appearance; he'd have had no clue.

Committing the details that would visually set the CMO apart from others, the Seeker considered where the other mech intended to go with this . He surmised Soundwave's plan for him in a variety of ways. ‘Go out and search’ was an obvious possibility. ‘Watch the monitors’ was another, not that he suspected he'd truly contribute. Processing input quickly was essential to his function, but his speed doing so in this manner was no doubt reduced compared to the Spymaster's. Even so, it could as easily be a test of his cooperation, or a means to keep him 'occupied' while he awaited additional directives. Soundwave was likely acquainted with the propensity of soldiers to get themselves into trouble when left to their own devices. Any conclusion would be an assumption, and while he was quick to speculate on many things, knowing what a commanding officer wanted of him was not something he was inclined to take for granted.

“His specs are noted”, he confirmed, after a subconscious nod. Despite wanting to act in a more physical way, the Seeker’s proverbial jets cooled as he waited to see what the officer did next.

[Soundwave]

Soundwave was not a typical Cybertronian, holding a notable... almost iconic reputation that helped keep the Decepticons in line.

Monitoring... the FEAR of being watched... it tended to instill a level of order and compliance that may not have been present otherwise. Those in Megatron’s army often had grand ambitions in their day to day lives, wanting to step up the ladder of importance to earn a more favorable standing. Whether they sought a platform to participate and aid the cause due to a real ingrained belief, or whatever they did so out of cowardice to avoid the front lines, or even a want simply to be in a position of power to belittle and hold over their subordinates, it did not matter. They could not easily scheme and gather allies to cause larger issues without their first few steps being caught beforehand. While the level of observation dropped once they stepped outside of Blackridge, their outings, who else was out, and the time spent could reveal patterns on their own.

Soundwave helped create a sort of order, even if his powers were not on par with the illusion.

Or perhaps they were.

The great unknown. Only one knew his true limitations, where the line in the sand could be drawn, and that individual would find no benefit in revealing such facts to the general population. It was better to see Soundwave as an unsleeping gaze that saw all, and noted all. Everyone's words etched into stone so that nothing could be edited in another's favor when describing what was done or said. Whatever the case, whether done as a formality, or rather it was done out of need, he would permit Starkrieger to assist in his upcoming task.

With a gradual motion, Soundwave's gesture that had initially pointed to the readout of Knock Out's Altmode, would then turn on Starkrieger, implying a 'you' in the unspoken communication, before gently swooping back with all fingers unfurled to move before the large display screen. While this order was conveyed, and ideally translated, his helm would angle to look himself, trying to position the particular camera's on the large grid into a form of order.

Colored security camera feeds were collected on the left side furthest from Starkrieger. They clustered in a way, before shrinking down in scale so that they permitted the black and white screens to dominate the majority of the rest of the space. A hue mask was more than easy to code for their current needs, responding and notifying when a mass of any red favoring vehicle passed by. The settings were broad, and would likely react to deeper oranges and maroons as well, not relying on the systems to be truly color accurate. It was the black and white ones that would pose a greater concern.

Sharply, all the screens seemed to lurch a pop a second, before they landed at the exact moment in which Knock Out exited Blackridge and would be in the immediate area. From that point, everything suddenly started playing at once, each second flicking past at a faster rate than normal.

There were so many vehicles... so many. While some were in outlier areas with less traffic, others were in main intersections meant to catch red light runners and had a near constant flow.

They merely needed to watch now, Starkrieger's participation potentially a true aid, or nothing more than a formality to test his response and scanning times.

[Starkrieger]

As the raised digit moved, Starkrieger remained attentive, ready to receive Soundwave’s brand of orders, as they were. There was no flinch or waver as he was pointed at, the meaning clear, both the explicit word represented, and the implication a directive was to follow. The unfurling of fingers to indicate their shared objective was no more obscure than the previous gesture. The Spymaster’s ‘tone’, was an interesting choice. His measured response exerted only a hint of his authority, yet that was plenty to convey the respect his position was due.

This time, the Seeker didn’t respond verbally, offering a faint nod, to then set his sights on the screen. Lowering his flight visor, the one sided display would leave it unclear whether he was using the tech, or if it were out of habit. It was something he often did before leaving the base, or when anticipating  the need to engage a threat. As the runtime resumed, there was a moment where his processor balked at the change in protocol. Fragmented input, different points of origin, these were nothing new. Managing disjointed readings to build a comprehensive picture was standard for him, but there was a fundamental difference in the activity he was engaged in.

Perhaps emphasized when compared to Soundwave's subtle, almost suppressed mannerisms, Starkrieger's frame language was less subdued. A sharp drawing back of his chassis at the unusual visuals, the tightening along his jaw, were among the mild signs that took betrayed his instinctive aversion to the change in routine.  The layout of information displayed in a less orderly fashion, unattached as the sources were, in sharp contrast to his usual centralized, interwoven array.  However, there was an advantage that came with being more than mindless drones, the ability to repurpose old skills to different situations.

His wings were the first to lose the tension, dropping a degree as familiar methods adapted to new parameters.  Earth vehicles sped by, and he leaned in, left claw absently lifting to brush against his recently repaired armor. Part of his processor increased familiarity with the alien automobiles, refining his search, as he looked for patterns in the different feeds. Tracking trajectory was fundamental to aerial combat; it was only natural he would strive to piece together when a target entering a display was fresh, or previously discarded.  

Preoccupation narrowed down his focus, allowing him to settle into the search. Secondary wings pulled back slowly, protocol putting a damper on his otherwise open field in a working calm that would not last indefinitely. Engrossed as he was, a promising prospect would, on occasion, override his awareness of the circumstance they found themselves in. His primaries would flare, or twitch in an attempt to focus his sensors on a reading that wasn't there. Small spikes of irritation bled from him, accompanied by reflexive flicks of primary wings.  What discipline the Seeker had been well instilled, but his nature didn't always line up with that conditioning. 

[Soundwave]

As Starkrieger's visor lowered, an unseen gaze would shift over.

Soundwave knew for a fact that there was no way Knock Out would show on any of the displayed cameras within a few fleeting seconds of exiting the Space Bridge. If he did? Then said bridge would have been opened far too close to humanity, creating a massive threat of being seen. This lesson was one imprinted well to all who used the console for transport, and as such, there was no anticipation to see the red mech instantly. It could, in fact, be upwards of a minute given his drop off point and the drive time required to get to structures and buildings.

Yet, Starkrieger didn't know this.

Every individual was unique in the way they functioned. The way their frames were built, the way they processed information and what skills they have honed over another... No one was a perfect clone, and learning said differences could reveal much down the line. As much as this was a moment to look for Knock Out, a goal that was very much taken seriously, it was also a potential moment to learn some about the less familiar Cybertronian that now stood at his side.

A tensed frame... acting almost assaulted by the task that was just slapped onto him... Soundwave did not know if this was a good sign or not from Starkrieger, not knowing if the mech truly was overwhelmed, or if his systems were trying to adapt and that he would be fine. Whichever way it went, it was inconsequential. The help would be appreciated for what it was, yet, should the mech fail and serve no purpose here this day, then it changed nothing.

He did not need him.

Just as Starkrieger started to find rhythm, Soundwave's focus would break away, instead looking up at the screens that were all playing in unison.

The hue filter was working perfectly and removed the need for full time focus to be offered to any of the colored video feeds. Every time a red car passed and tripped the switch, the small window would enlarge just enough to note if it was the right vehicle or not, before shrinking back down to wait for another proper marker to pass it. These flickered pops of the cameras 'declaring' a red object was seen would vary drastically. A lot showing up at one point... only for a sort of stillness to follow as more neutral and standard color vehicle options went through the screen. However, these windows seemed to manage themselves alright.

It was the black and white ones that were problematic.

A blur of gray screens. Some high resolution, many not. It was a chore to differentiate vehicles on the more grainy feeds. One vehicle being roughly the right shape but had different hubcaps, another having decals on the sides but it not being the right ones. The camera angles made it even more awkward, and the volume of cars in some shots made it extra troubling. At cursory glances so much seemed like false leads, pulses of hope that were just as quickly smashed...

Except one.

One of the muddled cameras seemed to be an outlier gas station of sorts. A small rest stop that had two pumps and a basic convenience store to catch people in or out from a day trip to the more rural portions. It is in front of this that an all too familiar car would drive past quickly, in and out of the frame in what seemed to be a flicker.

Soundwave's helm twitched some, a sort of unnatural motion made to glance in that direction.

[Starkrieger]

Silence was easy enough to manage. In such circumstances, it was simpler, not needing to concern himself with filling an odd conversational void with the unfamiliar officer..... breaking it, on the other hand, was more daunting. As Starkrieger tracked the images, and became more confident in the search, there was the matter of communication. A dilemma, something that a part of his processor cycled through repeatedly.

Until a vehicle that looked close crossed a feed. The Seeker pinged data over a standard short range frequency. It was a reflexive response, similar to his coordination with Starscream against The Prime days prior. The content was simple, numerical representation of location on the screen, utilizing a basic x,y coordinate. It was primitive compared to the vectors, flight paths and velocities he was accustomed to sending. However, it served its purpose of directing Soundwave to where the potential target was about to enter the range of the next camera it would pass. It was an unspoken request for the more experienced mech to verify the validity of the image. After all, assessing if it was Knock Out was more involved than the typical insignia verification.

He wouldn't need to impose on Soundwave often, eliminating most cars that sped by on his own. Perhaps he had taken too much liberty; some mecha considered such communication rude, regardless of the practicality. Hopefully he didn't ask him to speak. As in flight, Krieg found it awkward to translate the images' positions on the layout as conversation. Spatial and tactical information lent itself to visuals rather than speech; no doubt, the reason code was favored when speaking was required in combat situations. It cut down on confusion and senseless chatter by streamlining and standardizing meaning.

That didn’t really apply to every aspect of their efforts however. As Soundwave’s head twitched, the movement caught the Seeker’s attention, his wings seeming to respond with an intrigued perk.

“Found something?” Attempting to follow the Spymaster's line of sight was difficult, as he had no visible optics to track. With the speed Knock Out had traveled in and out of the shot, no doubt backtracking on the video would be needed to verify if he’d been spotted.

[Soundwave]

Given his vow to not speak, Soundwave was well acquainted with many alternative means to communicate with others. Recordings to imagery. Physical gestures to indicate something. Raw data transfers of information... among many other options. Because of his adaptability, the ping that was offered was not taken as anything out of place or odd. Soundwave had done his own form of this method on countless instances. Whatever the case, his visor latched down onto the specific area they had both seemed to notice, all the camera's freezing in time instantly.

There was a lull then, a new form of stillness occurring as Soundwave simply stared out at the monitor blankly. This pause was only broken by the soft pulsing glow of the data cable that connected him to the terminal, a transfer of information, before the entire screen full of small windows would suddenly drop, all camera feeds gone. In its place, was a map of Nevada, one that then sharply zoomed in to the designated area, some small markers starting to show up with a key off to the side.

One of the markers was blue, a simple dot that had coordinates listed on top, indicating the starting point to the Space Bridge portal. Around this were a handful of purple markers that were cast around seemingly randomly, though were points of cameras along said road they had been looking at previously. Each of the more carefully curated dots viable to the chosen area would have a thin line leading to the edges of the display monitor in front of the two Cybertronian, showing larger versions of the handful of security cameras that radiated around where Knock Out's sighting had been.

The excess video displays closer into the inner city had been clipped away for now, instead focusing on the ring that could potentially pick up what way the red mech had been traveling. The issue was however, that the little gas station the believed sighting was, seemed to be on the outskirts, Knock Out going into a very large blind spot. This all depended on the vehicle being their missing medic to begin with. With this, the security feed from the modest little rest stop would play again.

Now that the image was much larger, the presence of Knock Out was undeniable. It didn't need to be in high definition nor color to ID him, his overall alt of choice having a notable outline, rim shape, and decals, it being as good as a neon sign.

Picking up on Starkrieger's chosen form of communication, Soundwave then sent his own ping in reply, giving the coordinates relating to the sighting point they had found, and then the trajectory report on directional angle going west. Pairing with this movement, his slender left arm would raise, gesturing to the indicated point on the map, before drifting it west in tandem with the short-wave communication. It was more than apparent they were going to be in the dark here.

Leaving his arm up, the inky black visor of the silent mech would turn gradually, leveling off with Starkrieger before locking in place. He was almost testing him, arm still raised towards the map in a casual stance, waiting... watching... seeing how much ambition this soldier had and how well he could problem solve. Soundwave knew what he would do next, yet he used a couple fleeting moments to see what this other Cybertronian could do when put on the spot.

[Starkrieger]

Visuals were worth cycles of speech. The rapidly changing screens didn't cause him to flinch this time. Whole, cohesive and singular, the image required no adjustment. No, Krieg simply watched, discerning the meaning of new dots as they popped up. Soundwave’s means of displaying and filtering information showed a measure of consideration. The key, for example, probably served no purpose for the officer, displayed to keep the Seeker up to speed, something to be appreciative of.

Indicators mapped respective locations where cameras were identified, the display updating as Soundwave sorted and organized the data. The problem of Knock Out heading for a dead zone was immediately obvious, the relation of the dots’ positions from one another making that clear. When coordinates were sent, he had no doubt to which blip he was referring, the context offering clarity. Less clear was the way the mech pointed at the screen. He hadn’t anticipated the Spymaster asking him for input. It seemed he was being tested; though for what? Ability, ambition, or perhaps it was his dedication that was being measured. 

The Seeker’s wings twitched; the ease of Soundwave's company hadn't caused him to forget the reputation that the Spymaster held. Subtle, secretive, fanatical he was precisely the type of leader Krieg preferred to avoid catching the optic of. In this case, it was not a matter of convenience. A mech like Soundwave could do worse than offline him, and yet, for his medic, he wasn't willing to take liberties at prioritizing his own aft. Besides, he never really did enjoy prolonged tactical games with this degree of nuance. He'd take a chance, and deal with the consequences if they came.

“We could use his maximum velocity to establish a search perimeter. Favoring his last direction of travel would be advisable. “ He didn’t suggest sticking to the roads. These weren’t civilized times, and while he suspected their CMO preferred pavement , war hardly cared about what mecha preferred. “I’m off duty. I’m free to fly as long as it takes. ” Technically, he had yet to be cleared for active duty. Whether either medic would have agreed to that level of exertion wasn’t Krieg’s concern. In his experience, recovery time at this point was indulgence. So long as his wings functioned, and his frame wouldn't buckle there was no excuse to be idle.

Krieg’s left claws curled, stopping shy of forming a fist. Primus willing, Knock Out was fine, and communications had merely been compromised. However, even if the CMO wasn’t found, it could serve as the first step in narrowing down who was responsible. Still, worked up though he was, the Seeker didn’t lose track of the reality of the scenario. Raised wings dropping subtly as he shifted his weight, hesitating.

Ridiculous. Soundwave had full access to his records. Suggesting he needed assistance wouldn't reveal anything that wasn't already risked by putting himself on his radar.

“If you want to optimize efficiency...I would benefit from assistance in remaining inside the search zone. Otherwise, I only need the parameters I can function within.. .without compromising your plans.” A reasonable courtesy. If the Spymaster decided he would get in his way; it was best if he was cut loose. However ‘going rogue’ had the potential of interfering with the other mech's efforts. 

[Soundwave]

Starkrieger's first choice of input was exactly what Soundwave had already been planning to do, to a point that he was preemptively starting to calculate his next actions and visuals for the monitor. What he did not anticipate however, was an offer to fly over the soon to be mapped out swath of land despite earlier injuries. This caused Soundwave's helm to crook to the side some, an inquisitive motion while unseen eyes coasted across what marks and lines of his recent injury remained. It was one thing to be up and about, walking and attending the gathering, or assisting with more simple tasks and jobs, yet it was something else completely to push a frame through transformation.

No. Not just transforming. But transforming into a jet.

A car could be misaligned or stilted. Driving slower, more cautiously... a bent hinge or crooked seam not causing horrible issues unless pushing to top speeds. Yet, even then it could be questionable depending on the location of the ailment. A flier... the aerodynamics involved could be so delicate, where a lurch could cause a cascading fall. If Soundwave were the type to over worry and concern himself with such things, he may have ordered Starkrieger to stay put. However, one knows their own frame better than others, and if he believed he could...?

So be it.

Soundwave turned back to the screen then.

Once more, the visuals started to deform and change, the once simple map of Nevada overlaying with new features and details that had not been present beforehand. Instead of a slate black map with bright lines showing city borders, roads, and the markers of where the surveillance cameras were, a sort of bleeding color started to blotch and pulse across its entire surface. It almost seemed random in a way, shifting colors, sharp points of red that then muddled down towards orange, yellows, and greens... On the right side monitor, new calculations were scrawling past quickly, multiple images popping up before being pushed off screen before they could even be recognized.

The small bristled spines along Soundwave's back seemed to twist ever so slightly while this occurred, the underlying satellite relay activating without fully unfurling from its housing.

This mutation of the screen's colors took a small amount of time, a lull in which things were being calculated, before everything hard locked down into place with a snap. Right away it became rather clear to anyone who had overseen varied map layouts that it was now a topographical map. Pulled data from multiple sources were blended together to try to get a good bead on just what the region looked like without them setting eyes on it themselves.

If Knock Out went out on foot from the main road, then knowing what obstacles may be in the way would do well to figure out the search pattern range. There was no use spreading one's focus across three miles of land, if the first one held a heavy ravine or sharp rock ridge that would have severely hindered progress. This relied in part to a stereotype of how the missing medic functioned however. An assumption in play that he wouldn’t voluntarily stumble and slide down into a gully, nor scrabble up the side of a mountain. This could be inaccurate depending on just WHAT Knock Out's ambitions were this day, yet it was better to focus on the more expected paths of motion and then backtrack if required later.

Once this map was made, Knock Outs' rough mile per hour limit was drawn along the road from the gas station marker, calculating the time spent from his sighting to now. This line shot across the map a good distance given just what the red mech was, before it bled apart and started to etch out a search region. The shape wasn't a perfect circle, and instead was taking into account the obstacles to make a lopsided oval of sorts away from the main road. As this was finalized quicker than the topographical map was manufactured, the search ring was sharply etched in white, its coordinates along the path listed out.

Soundwave knew much about those that served the Decepticons, oftentimes more than they would hope given the lives they have lived. Starkrieger's faults were not lost to him, though the extent was never fully measured. He knew what records dictated, and that was all. As such, the navy mech would take a single step back away from the terminal, though the data line still connected him to its front. With this minor distance, he then turned to fully face the aerial.

Another short-wave ping was offered, a query of sorts that did not hold any other data within its transmission. Instead, this was paired with the faceless visor of the mech lighting up, starting to show calculations and the wireframe map of the region, paired with the markers that indicated he was starting to communicate remotely with the Space Bridge and prep it for function.

[Starkrieger]

The inquisitive angling of the Spymaster’s helm wasn’t lost on him. However, it didn’t occur to the Seeker that the other mech had been considering his previous injuries. Indeed, most of his time throughout the war was stationed in remote outposts, away from backup and ready supplies. At times, the best they had were field medics, scraping by on what experiences the war had driven into their processor, just enough to keep them pieced together until the opportunity for proper repair came along.

Dire circumstance likely skewed his sense of when forcing his frame into compliance was needed, but it wasn't an awareness the Seeker possessed. He knew only that he had both flown and fought in worse shape, and a drive to see his medic secured. Knock Out was not on par with his Lord, in terms of owning his loyalties... but he was the first living Cybertronian he remembered seeing, after Lockstep had disarmed him, and forced his evacuation from their dying transport. He was the one that had set him right after he’d been trapped and isolated for Primus knew how long.

“... I’m sure the Air Commander would agree, this is a valid use for one of his fliers.” That Soundwave turned his attention to the monitor seemed to indicate he was satisfied with the situation. Wing flicking, he put the matter behind him, as returned his gaze to the screen, watching the shifting of information. Leaning forward as the topographical layout was offered, he focused on taking in the features. Rock formations and the profile of the earth below made for ideal landmarks. Besides, given they were looking for a ground model, their significance went beyond the effect on air currents. While there was no way to be sure Knock Out stuck to the roads, it was a fair bet he didn’t drive up a cliff… Down on the other hand. An involuntary shudder ran through the flier’s frame.

When Soundwave stepped back, he figured it was to act, as such, Krieg followed his motion, turning as it became clear his attention was wanted. His wings slipped into a formal position on their own accord. There was a moment, as calculations started to scroll against the black screen, where his derma pulled in a straight line as he debated on his actions. Soon, short range wouldn’t cut it. The Spymaster monitored countless frequencies, even the encrypted channels could be intruded on. Gaze briefly diverting from the other mech, he sent a frequency that was ‘personal’ but not exactly social. Encoded and secure, it would serve the purpose of allowing the Spymaster to communicate with him, without interruption. The others that once had access to it were... permanently out of range.

Optics returning to the obstructed faceplate, he dipped his helm before taking a single step back for room to pivot. If the officer didn’t indicate that there was anything further, the soldier would take up position at the Space Bridge to wait for its activation. His left claws splayed, before curling. There was still aching, weariness, residual complaints from his recent stay in the medbay, but lazing about wouldn't help. If he pushed too hard, he would endure a reminder of why Knock Out needed to be brought home…and possibly Flatline’s berating. He supposed he was overdue to find out if ‘Second Rate’ adopted a different tone when angered over patient grade stupidity, rather than the regular kind. The thought had the Seeker smirking to himself, despite the hard light in his optics.

[Soundwave]

The offered communication contact was silently taken, and stored within a memory bank with countless others.

When Starkrieger lined up at the ready to exit once a Space Bridge would be manufactured, Soundwave eased back himself, the cable leading from his chest unlatching from the computer terminal. This caused the displayed maps and screens to suddenly go dark, everything that had been collected, simply voided out as far as it could be discerned. A noisy rattle instantly followed, a series of clinks as the metal lined cord would retract back into its housing, nestled and hidden below Laserbeak's frame. With this shackle removed, the navy mech would take a few steps of his own, coming up beside the Seeker where he paused.

The shape of Soundwave's visor and helm could work well to imply certain emotions on its own without graphics. When angled down, the upper framing that created a soft 'V' was canted to a sharper point, almost creating a glare of sorts, while hooking it higher could have an opposite effect. It could be subtle, the tilts not overt or exaggerated to make certain they were seen, however they were there, a soft tell of sorts. In this moment, as Soundwave looked upon Starkrieger, it was uncertain if his raised helm was truly looking down upon the shorter mech, evaluating his health further due to their closer proximity, or if he was truly judging him with a calmer more observational consideration.

It was irrelevant.

Peering back forward, the Space Bridge would snarl active with a boom, its vortex radiating out with thrown lights of teal and blue among white particles. The outermost edges had a distortion effect, a rippling surface like looking through extreme heat. Once this portal manifested, Soundwave would ease into his own calm walk, it almost appearing as though he intended to leave on his own, abandoning Starkrieger in his wake. However, as he got ahead, his left arm would raise, two fingers calmly extended that gestured forward in a silent command to follow.

Paired with this motion, a new set of coordinates would be tossed over to the other mech, an indication of where they were going. It would be of no real use to him given navigational challenges, the placement upon the world not truly required for this outing... however, its worldly point was not the goal of sharing such data. One very notable piece of information was hidden within it, one that should be clutched onto or it could cause rather notable issues.

The Z Access.

Not halting nor offering a single glance back, the silent mech passed the threshold of the bridge, its ground plane transitioning from polished stone, to a simple void of nothingness where the pathway gave out. This lack of grip was accepted with a level of indifference as though he had taken any other step through a hallway, leaning into the movement with a sense of calm ease as bright colors ripped away to a sunny desert's sky.

Soundwave's frame would tilt as he started to fall from the Space Bridge, his faceless visor crooking to look at the earth as gravity started to take hold, threatening to drag him to a catastrophic end. This was held for only a flicker, to get away from the bridge given another would be following suit, before his arms flared out at either side, and a sharp transformation took place a second later.

The navy mech's transformation was fluid and fast, locking down into the MQ-9 Reaper that had been modified with a Cybertronian engine rather than the inbuilt propeller it was meant to have. This form was constructed with his legs leading once shifted, and as such his fleeting nosedive transitioned to a skyward thrust, the engines doing their introductory surge to catch his plummet, before he veered wildly at nearly a ninety degree angle beneath the Space Bridge portal, once more to give Starkrieger room so there was not an unfortunate incident. With his frame sharply ducking behind the gate, there would be no possibility for a collision, Soundwave surging into the air with a sharp spin to gain an appropriate altitude.

It is here he evened out, coasting at a rather low speed without threat of cascading down towards the ground, unseen gaze casting back to see how the Seeker transitioned.