[ti]Ep 3.5[/ti]A Meeting of Minds [Closed]

[Soundwave]

Episode 3.5 | Week 1 | Day 3


A plan was ready to be put into action. One that would hopefully lead to the reversal of a tremendous loss for the Decepticons as a whole. Yet... there was no saying if such a thing was even truly possible, or if it was the mad design of an ill-informed individual reaching outside of their arena. Theories and hopes were one thing, while math and true calculations were another, and as such seeking assistance from those more informed in one field or another was not just smart, but mandatory should true progress be desired. Egotism and pride had nothing to do with anything, as there was no single soul who could fix such a grandiose loss on their own, everyone playing their roles no matter how large or small they may be.

That was what would be needed to raise the Nemesis from its tomb.

While a first path of action could be seeking Sparkplug out to see if she was up to the task that would be assigned to her, this was not the choice that Soundwave made, for he already felt confident that the femme would jump to the challenge with full zeal. The issue wasn’t so much if she could make immense water pumps, so much as if it was even technically possible enough to waste her hours when she could be focused on more valuable tasks. Shockwave could be approached of course, but his time towards the Space Bridge advancements was untouchable as if he made real progress the pump plan may no longer be a consideration. Thankfully, there were more who walked the field of sciences when it came to engineering, and a third was one that was often forgotten within the shadow of his other title and role.

Starscream.

A scientist from days long ago. While he was no longer an active worker in such a field, it did not remove his intelligence and adaptability.

On surface levels, Soundwave could seem dismissive to the higher-ranked mech, nothing more than acting as a quiet observer to make sure he didn't do anything destructive to the cause. The eyes and ears of the Decepticons he was called, the silent shadow that helped Megatron's will become reality, one who was more a governing force and threat than anything else. Yet that was false. Outsider views were often so very skewed, only seeing what others portray in order to keep up a façade to perpetuate a legend or narrative, and a perfect example was the way in which Soundwave and Starscream worked together.

It was true, Soundwave did make sure the other mech stayed in line... standing his ground only when larger issues arose, but overall? He truly did serve the Skylord just as he would anyone else ranked above him. They were both viciously efficient, and they both got results, the most recent example being the location and harvest of the Energon mines and what they could procure efficiently without cruelty in just three years' time of Megatron's absence. They simply could work together well, and it was this foundation that meant it wasn’t tremendously out of line for Soundwave to seek the other mech out first for input on their current shared concerns.

While Blackridge Hold was not monitored like the Nemesis was, it was still difficult for individuals to navigate its halls unnoticed, a few carefully placed devices permitting a general enough scan of its dingy corridors and dust-coated paths. It was this that meant that Starscream's movements were noted, and he was casually tracked, not out of a want to 'catch him in the act', but more to keep a sideways eye on when he was to see if he was occupied or not. He had done some sort of errand at the Medical Bay, the topic of which Soundwave was fairly confident he knew, but there did not appear to be any other large tasks of note lined up.

With this in mind, the moment Starscream entered his office, Soundwave went into motion, his calm gait carrying him down the long hallways without any rush of note. He knew he would get there soon enough, not allowing him to get too involved with another task before being interrupted. The navy mech could sympathize with that feeling... being neck deep in a problem only to have to pay heed to another's troubles... which was a large part of why he acted with relative haste.

Not even five minutes after Starscream entered his rough office did he receive a ping, a respectful request for entry as a shadow stood outside.

[Starscream]

Settling back into the uncomfortable chair behind his desk, Starscream took a moment for himself to finally vent out a tired sigh. His optics drifted to the datapad that he'd been using hours earlier, still in the same place he'd set it down, and using one digit, he would pull it closer to himself - though refrained for the moment in powering it on.

Rarely did he get time to himself – aside from the evenings, of course, when things around Blackridge Hold were mostly still. There was always work to be done, and if not? There was always something that needed doing. Schedules for both patrols and mining to be updated. Reports to go over regarding their Energon supplies, as well as any sightings of Autobots or even MECH, to name but a few.

Then, there were his own agendas to worry about - a constant, exhausting game of staying three steps ahead of the prying optics around him.

He did not plan on sitting for long, though after the events of this morning and the things he'd helped Flatline with in the Medical Bay? The silver Seeker found himself needing just a moment, a minute or two at most, to make sense of it all.

Then, he'd carry on as usual. Just as he always did. Mulling over the words of a recent newcomer to Blackridge Hold, as well as his own plans for the day ahead – the Harbinger, as well as two who he trusted most. All the while carrying out his expected duties as Second in Command.

Leaning forward, he sighed again, finding momentary solace in the almost-silence. The monitors behind him hummed, even despite the fact they currently displayed no imagery, and the sound of the vents was a constant that most had learned to ignore.

Ah, but then- a ping. One that had been honestly expected, because there was always something needing his attention, though the source of said ping was troublesome indeed.

Soundwave.

In that moment, a million, panicked thoughts raced through his processor as he glanced toward the closed door. Had the Spymaster somehow learned of the Harbinger and his plans for tomorrow? Or perhaps he had been too hasty in returning the secondary arms to their only remaining medic and he was there with an order from Megatron himself to remove them once more.

There were no hints with the gentle request, though that in itself gave no relief. A one-on-one meeting with Soundwave – if it was only the silent mech waiting out there – was never without good reason.

Easing back, he was quick to turn on the datapad, almost wanting to make it look like he had been actively doing something instead of just sitting here, and a return ping was sent - permission to enter.

[Soundwave]

It was no secret that Soundwave kept a close eye on Starscream, the silver mech always thinking three steps ahead with dangerous tenacity. Most of the time, it was for the betterment of the Decepticon cause. Plans to outsmart the Autobots, tactics to try to utilize a new asset with tactical precision, or means to propel their current workforce without reliance upon cruel methods... His intelligence was unable to be questioned, though just as often as he used such power for good, he also used it to manipulate and try to push his own goals beneath the table. They were there. They no doubt were. Just because it currently seemed quiet didn't mean dangers didn't lurk beneath the surface, yet luckily for Starscream, Soundwave had no idea just what that something could be.

The Harbinger was not even a consideration upon his mind, the old vessel another lost asset that had been washed off for now and forgotten under the weight of other elements. Perhaps if they could raise the Nemesis it could creep from the back corners of his processor forward, a potential point of interest to raid for parts, though even then there was no saying just where it fell upon the world, more likely than not ending up at the bottom of the sea given just how vast such an area was on this planet.

He had no idea just where it lay, and the reality that it was very much not lost to them.

No. Soundwave was not here to catch Starscream off guard, there was no intent to corner him with something like he had with other elements in the past. In fact, as the door opened and he silently entered, Starscream would likely be able to pick up that the other mech had as much an air of 'casual' as was even possible. No tension to the frame, no harder set stance of being at heightened attention. While he no doubt was still recording things, every moment of his life etched into stone, his shoulders were looser, and the angle of his helm was at a conversational level rather than being fully squared off for the best framed image. It all screamed normality, and little to no threat unless something compromising was on a table mapping out whatever nonsense Starscream was up to.

Stepping fully into the room, Soundwave paused to make sure the door closed fully behind him, before he continued further, holding his own datapad in hand as he looked down at the other mech and the fact he seemingly had been busy. This glance was not held; however, there was no effort made to read what was on it. If it displayed a danger to Megatron or the Decepticons, then it wouldn’t be upfront and center on the screen to begin with.

Calmly, Soundwave dipped his helm slightly to indicate a greeting, before he raised his free hand, pointing up at the monitors behind Starscream, pairing the motion with a crook of his head in a silent request to be able to use them for whatever it was he needed to convey.

[Starscream]

Tensing his frame as the door moved, Starscream's gaze and attention immediately snapped to the other mech as he came into view. The Spymaster was undoubtedly the hardest mech to read here at Blackridge Hold, though even despite this, the Seeker carefully watched, almost as if trying to find some clue as to just why he was here, or at least get some sort of gauge on his current disposition.

Everything seemed normal, and undoubtedly calm. From the way he moved into the room, to how he took care to close the door behind himself – probably not a good thing, though it could be seen as simply having basic manners – and finally, to his gait as he made his way over.

Taking note of the datapad held by the other mech, Starscream's optics narrowed slightly. This was it, no doubt. The list of his wrongdoings in physical form, to be laid out in front of him to await immediate explanation. Or perhaps it was a map of where the Harbinger lay. There were so many things it could be, and his processor immediately jumped to the worst outcome.

He probably should've moved to stand up, at the very least - though would remain seated, even as the mech continued forward. The only movement being that he leaned back some in the chair, an unconscious effort, perhaps, to show the datapad and single monitor on his desk, and the fact there was nothing suspicious upon either screen.

As the Spymaster gave his silent greeting, Starscream would nod in return, optics following the gesture to the monitors. Ah. Right - perhaps it looked suspicious that they were currently powered off, though it was no matter - and it was then the Seeker pushed himself up into a stand.

For once, he had nothing to hide.

Taking a short step back, Starscream moved to turn the two monitors on one by one. While he could've simply powered them on using the small keyboard on his desk, he seemed to make a point of activating them physically. This way there would be no suspicion of him quickly sidestepping to hide something beforehand with a simple keystroke.

The leftmost monitor showed a map of America - with various sections in several states separated by color. There seemed to be a larger focus on the Westernmost side of the country, and the name of their missing CMO was written in Cybertronian text to one side. This same display was mirrored on the smaller monitor on his desk, should Soundwave look.

The rightmost monitor contained lists of Eradicon designations, as well as names of a few of their more notable fliers, including a couple of his own Armada. Just as with the left monitor, they were color-coded by group. Both would be things Soundwave was familiar with, as he had no doubt dealt with similar itineraries.

"Patrol schedules, nothing more." he started, though made no motions of sitting back down. Instead turning to the other mech as he continued.

"Though I suspect that is not the reason for your visit?"