Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shockwave was desperate.

After his empurata operation Shockwave had moved to an empty apartment building on the streets of Kaon. Quiet, deserted, empty. He had made a living building small gadgets for the Cybertronians who lived there out of the scrap metal he found scavenging the building. Or, for those truly desperate, he would take their shanix to repair bots. He struggled to adapt to use his one good claw in these repairs, his other arm being replaced with a cannon that made his stance uneven. Though some had hesitance in his abilities, they often left better than they had arrived. (There were a few poor cases who were just too far gone for Shockwave to do anything about. He would take their shanix anyway and strip them for spare parts.)

However, it appeared the violence of the Cybertronian senate had reached its grip even to the grimy streets of Kaon. As police enforcers monitored the streets any contacts Shockwave once had fled or vanished. Any commissions that had once trickled in ebbed away. His decent stash of energon and shanix coins trickled away until nothing remained. Soon, even the natural reserve in his engine would run out and there would be nothing left to power his engine.

Shockwave pinched his claw open and shut as he pondered on what to do. No reputable business, or even non-reputable businesses, would hire an empurata bot such as himself. That was the point of the procedure. To be so marked by the senate as having committed some egregious sin, unforgivable by society. Shockwave only had the vaguest memory of what that was, based on the files he had been able to dig up on his previous identity, and the few vestiges of memory that remained in his processor. Not that it would help him now.

Shockwave stopped pinching his claw. He checked the levels in his tanks. They were low, only about 10% remaining. He bristled. He had a solution. Something he had hoped to never resort to. There was a pleasure club not far from his apartment. He had interfaced in exchange for energon before, early in his “life” as an empurata bot, when he was just getting back on his pedes. He knew others had a certain….taboo fascination with his kind. His only, last hope was to make a deal with the pleasure club owner. Energon and, perhaps, room and board for his services. Shockwave looked around the dilapted apartment he had called home and left.

……………….

Shockwave reached the pleasure club with around seven percent left in his tanks. With no reservations, he headed straight for the door with no deviations.

“Whoooa, buddy.”

Right as Shockwave had reached a claw to the door pane, a servo had reached up to stop him. Shockwave's optic light blinked. A bulky bouncer stood in his path.

“I can't just let you in there.”

The bouncer eyed him suspiciously. Shockwave looked at him, voice box struggling to produce sound with his energon so low.

“I need to speak to the owner,” he said plainly, trying to push past the bouncer.

“Yeah and I want to speak to the Prime. But we don't all get what we want.” All the bouncer had to do was reach his arm across the door to prevent Shockwaves' action. He was too weak to push past it, even if he wanted to make a scene.

Shockwave bore his optic into the bouncer with a glare. “I wish to offer my services.”

Something about the bouncer's optics softened at that. “We don't need any more pleasure bots…”

“I can provide a unique experience,” Shockwave interjected.

“We already have an empurata bot. We don't need any more charity cases”

Shockwave's optic stuttered for a moment. He stepped back as if he had been stricken “Ah. I see.” He said flatly.

Suddenly the bouncer looked remorseful.

“But look, I can at least give you this, ok?” He took an energon cube out of his subspace and handed it to Shockwave, who cradled it against him with a shaking claw and the barrel of his gun arm. “Regain some strength, someone in Kaon will take you in, yeah?” The bouncer said a little desperately, looking up at him, like Shockwave could absolve him. Shockwave turned from him and started walking away.

……………….

Shockwave did not have the processor power to ponder his situation anymore. All he knew is he needed somewhere SAFE to ingest the energon cube. Tank check. Five percent. Some alleyways not too far away from the club. It would have to do. Shockwave crouched down, balancing the cube on his gun arm while trembling fingers fumbled for the latch on his side where his intake port resided.

Sudden noise startled him from his task. Muffled yelling. Further down the alley from where Shockwave was crouching three mechs were unceremoniously tossed out of a side door. One of them cursed in kaonite. Another kicked the now closed door. The three of them started to sway in his direction, stumbling and laughing all over the alleyway. The three were clearly drunk off of high-grade energon. Still shaking, Shockwave looked down and dimmed his optic, conserving his energy. His audial fins lifted waiting for them to pass before attempting access to his port again.

“Ey, what we got here?”

Shockwave looked up. One of the mechs was directly in front of him, his other two friends laughing behind him. Shockwave held his cube protectively. “Mech, it's nothing, leave it alone.”

“Pshhhhh, no way bro, look, look, lisssten.” The Mech who had spoken first grabbed one of his friends from behind and dragged him beside him. The two loomed before Shockwave.

“You wanted to go to the club, right. Get your ssspike wet right?” The Mech slurred. The Mech beside him looked at his friend, slightly dazed. An effect of the high-grade no doubt. “Who needs to pay all those prices, when we have what we want right here?” The Mech looked down at Shockwave with lust in his optics.

Shockwave tried to move, tried to jump up. His instincts told him to run but with his processor so delayed every movement ended up jerky and half aborted. Rough servos slammed him against the wall. “Not going anywhere, are you?” Asked the propositioning Mech upturning in his voice in a false whine. A joke only he found funny.

Shockwave's energon cube had fallen in the skirmish. He watched it spill, the dirt beginning to absorb the blue liquid. “E-en-ener-gon.” Shockwave’s voice laced with static. With a burst of energy, He pushed against the arms and desperately knelt at the cube trying to cup anything he could.

He felt servos on his pedes and soon he was being dragged away. Away from the energon. He forced his claw into the dirt, hoping for any traction, but the claw just dug a line as he was pulled away.

He was slammed into a wall again. His whole frame shuddered and he slid to the ground. “Fragging finally, let's do this.” The victorious Mech said somewhere above him. Shockwave checked his reserve. Two percent. His optic was starting to blur. It was getting harder to see. He could feel servos on his shoulder pads pinning him down. If he could just get his processor to cooperate with him, maybe he could calculate the aiming on his gun arm. He would need to be able to take out all three in one shot. He only had the energy for one shot.

Weight on his legs. Servos on his interface panels. He started powering up his cannon.

Suddenly the weight was off him. He vented deeply. Someone was screaming. Shockwave could barely see. His vision was just a screen of blurry colors and half calculated numbers at this point. Sounds of blows, metal on metal around him. A bright blue and white standing out amidst the other’s dingy paint jobs. “Another party has entered the fray” Shockwave thought bitterly. “Someone who wants my parts and panels to themselves.”

The noise finally stopped. Shockwave did not have the strength to lift his helm. He felt his body being lifted and all he saw was blurry blue. The blue Mech cradled Shockwave in his arm, holding Shockwave’s helm close to his chest. The Mech began to carry him away from the alleyway. “Taking me to another location to dissect me for parts. Smart,” thought Shockwave

The Mech was speaking. Not to him. Speaking to someone. His voice was melodic but modified with a voice filter. Shockwave couldn't make the effort to make out the words. But then, the mech was speaking to him, asking him, something?

“What?” He tried to ask, mostly static.

“Designation?” The Mech asked again, holding him so Shockwave could see he was looking at him. Shockwave couldn't make out his features with his limited processor.

Why would he want to know his name? So they could put a little plaque wherever he dumps the body? It's not like it matters anymore anyway.

“S-s-s-sh-sho-sho-kkk-” the rest devolved into static as Shockwave went into stasis lock.

Chapter Text

“You know Megatronus isn't going to be happy you're bringing a strange mech back to base with you,” Ravage said coolly.

Soundwave eyed his companion. She was right. Soundwave had a bad habit of getting involved when he shouldn't. This had happened before.

Soundwave had broken up fights in the streets in Kaon. Stood between corrupt police enforcers and their targets. Given his hard earned shanix to hungry looking new sparks. All using his recognition as a Pit Gladiator and Friend of Megatronus to prevent the worst of the backlash. But sometimes he would come back from those encounters with wounds that needed welding, bodies that needed to be burned, and angry carriers that threw his money back in his face. Somehow that last one always hurt more than the physical wounds.

So when Laserbeak and Buzzsaw spotted trouble on their way back to the Pits, of course he had to intervene. What those mechs were about to do had Soundwave's energon boiling. The disgusting things they thought they could do. The disgusting things they thought they could get away with. And the disgusting ways they justified it to themselves because they thought this Mech did not matter. He had dispatched them quickly. If the one eyed Mech wasn't about to enter stasis lock he could have administered treatment and sent him on his way…but there was something else about him.

“I can deal with Megatronus.” Soundwave said flatly.

He looked down at the mech he was carrying. His optic was dim, beyond the point of being able to observe anything. He had one claw, common of those with the empurata procedure. His other arm has been replaced with a cannon gun, which was not standard issue of any mechs Soundwave knew. Soundwave wondered if it had been grafted on to him as part of the empurata operation or if he had it surgically attached in some sort of bid for safety. But if he had that sort of shanix surely he would get a hand attachment? And wouldn't be dying in the streets from hunger? Soundwave shook his helm.

“Mech: designation?” Soundwave asked. The Mech in his arms did not respond. His helm lolled back and forth a bit. Soundwave adjusted to better cradle it. “Mech: designation?” Soundwave tried again. The Mech's optic started to glow with recognition. “What?” He asked, his voice mostly static, clearly startled at being asked anything.

“Designation?” Shockwave asked again.

“S-s-s-sh-sho-sho-kkk-” the Mech suddenly went into stasis lock.

“Hmmmm, he could have been trying to say Shower.” Buzzsaw swooped down from the air landing on Soundwave's shoulder. Laserbeak landed quietly on the other.

Ravage looked incredulous. “You think his name is shower?”

Soundwave could see Buzzsaw's beak turn up in what could only be described as a diabolical grin. “No, I think he was saying shower, as in, you need one. Phew.” Buzzsaw dramatically put a wing up to his olfactory sensors.

“You think you're funny, do you, bird brain,” Ravage bared her teeth.

“Cease.” If Soundwave had the freedom of his servos he would have pinched the bridge of his visor.

“I was just joking,” whined Buzzsaw.

“Jokes are supposed to be funny, Buzz. Don't quit your day job.” With that Ravage bounded ahead as the entrance to the pits became clear.

“B-but I-” Buzzsaw sputtered.

“Just got roasted” Laserbeak muttered from the place she had curled up on Soundwave's shoulder.

Buzzsaw smiled, “I'll get her next time” He flew off, likely to annoy his sister even further.

Soundwave shook his head at his cassettes crazy, but innocuous, behavior. “Laserbeak, dismissed as well.” He said. “I'll stay, Boss,” Laserbeak mumbled into his shoulder. Soundwave leaned his helm to ruffle Laserbeak’s feathers with the side of his plating “As you wish,” He would not deny her the simple comfort of his company, even if they were visiting a place that could be as gruesome as the Pits medbay. They were between fights anyway and all should be quiet. It was the only reason Soundwave could have been allowed out into wider Kaon in the first place.

Soundwave finally made it to the pit entrance, a terrifying staircase that led deep underground, and finally veered off to the med center. As he entered he nodded to Hook, the one medical officer the Pits had, and laid the stranger on a medical berth. Idly, he stroked Laserbeak's feathers with his digits as he waited for Hook to finish with his current patient.

“Recruiting your own Gladiators now?” Hook asked cheekily. “I've never seen this one here before. I would remember an empurata bot.”

“Help him,” Soundwave said, keeping his tone flat.

Hook rolled his eyes but did as asked and started his scans. “Natural energon reserves nearly depleted. And evidence of conserving what was there. Pointing to slow starvation. Happens to a lot of empurata victims.” Hook relayed clinically. Soundwave bristled. He knew it happened, of course, but Hook's tone and the easy way he relayed it grabbed at his processor. Soundwave focused only on Hook's external words.

“Evidence of physical altercation. He just needs light patchwork. Auto repair will take care of the rest. I'll start an energon line, a line for pain medication, and a line to help him recharge. He should wake up in a couple joors.” Soundwave nodded as Hook completed his work and left. Soundwave remained at the berth. He put a servo on the mech's helm. His plating was warm to the touch like he was overheating, a common symptom in energon deprivation. But that was the only thing Soundwave could sense.

Laserbeak chirped, feeling Soundwave's frustration through the bond, and pulsed comfort back at him. Soundwave sighed.

He needs to report to Megatronus.

Chapter Text

Shockwave onlined suddenly. Where was he? He looked up at a ceiling he did not recognize. He felt around blindly with his claw. First at the smooth metal of a berth beneath him and then over his frame. He reached to examine the plating behind his helm and could feel protrusions just at the tip of his spinal cord. Wires? Wires plugged into the medical ports in his spinal strut. His vision flashed. A memory of another time he had wires in his medical ports.

Wires. Pumping energon. To keep him awake. To keep him aware. As they changed him. Servos removing his original limbs and replacing them with new ones. Servos tearing apart his green and white plating for the purple that adorned him now. Screaming. Helm forced from frame. Two optics replaced with one. Wires keeping him aware through death and rebirth. Being ripped apart. Being pulled back together. Too many wires.Too many servos. Pain. Dripping energon. Oh no. No no no no no.

Shockwave ripped out the wires. Immediately his helm ached. He stood on shaky pedes. He had to leave. He couldn't let them do that again.

“OH, you're awake.”

Shockwave turned. A mech stood near the meedbay entrance, scalpel in hand. “You shouldn't be moving around ye-” The mech shut his mouth plate tightly as Shockwave fired a shot from his cannon. Missed. Hit the wall behind. “Let me out.” Shockwave said as flatly as he could, voice shaky with static. The mech sighed. Pressed a button. Alarms sprang up. Shockwave looked at The Mech with optic light wide and bright with terror. The mech calmly left, locking the door behind him.

Shockwave grasped at the door wildly. He couldn’t get the the pincher of his claw around the handle. His processor wasn't working. Was this panic? He didn't think he was supposed to feel this anymore. They had cut out his emotional centers when they performed the empurata operation hadn’t they? Performed some sort of Shadowplay on him? That thought didn’t stop the bubbling of his fuel lines and the sludge in his processor.

If this was the senate, they were going to kill him. There was another hall. He ran for it. Nothing but a storage closet at the end. He could hear nothing but the alarms. He could feel his audial fins twitching wildly.

They would find him.

And they would kill him.

For good this time.

He sat in the storage closet and covered his face with his claw.

……………….

Soundwave was thinking. He needed to report to Megatronus-true-but it would be easier to report to Megatronus if he…had more information to report. If he had the Mech's name he could at least do a background check. Then it wouldn't be like he just brought a strange mech onto the premises…..He could at least present it to Megatronus that way.

He just needed to delay a little bit and he could get information once the, currently, unconscious Mech onlined. Soundwave was sure he could get his name easily enough with just a few, simple, questions. If he resisted Soundwave could always press with some light Gladiator intimidation. He shouldn’t have to. He was sure the Mech would just be happy to be alive. An energon deprived mech should be pretty harmless anyway.

Soundwave heard the trill of distant alarms. He strained his audials, trying to place where the sound was coming from. Not a lot of places in the Pits had alarms. It wasn’t like the managers cared that much about their fighters as long as they had enough battle ready mechs for the fights. The gladiators could take care of themselves. The only place truly vulnerable…Soundwave froze. The medbay.

……………….

Soundwave ran a corner to see Hook calmly waiting for him.

“He's trapped in there. Be careful of his arm cannon. He tried to fire at me.”

Soundwave started at him.

“He missed.”

“Hook: turn off alarms.”

“If you insist, but I think it throws off his concentration.”

Hook pressed a button and the alarms immediately stopped blaring. Soundwave crept into the medbay. A couple of frightened patients were huddled in a corner. They pointed him in the direction of the storage hallway so Soundwave quietly ducked down there. He could hear the sound of venting, but not much else. If this Mech was planning an ambush, cornering himself in a dead end hallway with a gladiator was the opposite of a good plan.

Creeping up on the storage room, Soundwave noticed purple pedes sticking out of the door frame. He tilted his head in confusion. Hiding? “Not well,” he thought. Soundwave opened the door. The strange, purple mech was sitting in the storage closet as far back as he could go. His optic was low and dim, claw and cannon barrel covering his helm the best they could. He had not reacted to the opening of the door in the slightest. Soundwave studied him for a moment. His field was low and tight to his frame but it was clearly beaming distress. Soundwave crouched, slowly and quietly, as not to scare the Mech. Softly, gently, he put a servo on the claw. The Mech startled, his whole frame jerking, optic blaring light, and his cannon aiming up. Soundwave did not move. The optic light blinked. “You are a gladiator,” the mech said flatly.

“Yes.” answered Soundwave, though it wasn't a question.

“Are you here to kill me?” asked the Mech.

Soundwave tilted his helm. “No,” he answered. With humor, “If death was desired: Soundwave could have left you in that alley. ”

The Mech's optic light flickered. “Th-the alley. That's right. My tanks.” The mech looked away as if checking something. “My tanks have been partially restored.” The Mech lowered his cannon. Though his em field was extremely light, Soundwave could just barely detect relief flow through the Mech.

“Short term memory loss: result of energon deprivation.” Soundwave gently lifts the Mech up by the claw. “You are in the Pits for repairs.” The Mech stumbled forward a bit. Soundwave holds the Mech’s claw and back strut for support. The Mech flinches slightly when digits touch him but he accepts them and the two make careful steps back to the medbay. Hook is there to greet them at the medical berth.

“Ah I see you've tamed the beast, but of course, you excel at that, Soundwave.” Soundwave makes a mental note to kill Hook later.

The Mech speaks, “My apologies. I was suffering an acute, trauma induced, psychosis. I will not be any more of a burden.” He sits upon the berth once more.

“Ah,” says Hook, “So you didn't mean to shoot me?”

“No, I meant to, but my aiming apparatus was turned off to conserve power.”

With the Hook face made to that, Soundwave begins to like this nameless Mech a little bit more. He thinks about asking for his name then, but the exhausted look the Mech has as he turns his optic to the floor has him rethinking.

“Hook: readminster lines.”

“You heard when he wanted to shoot me right?”

Soundwaves stares at him. “All right,” Hook sighs. Mumbled just under audible levels for most mechs, “Your funeral.”

Soundwave doesn't know how a mech with no face can look so tired.

“You don't need to do this, you have already given me more than enough.” Soundwave is standing close enough he can feel the Mech’s small field flicker between guilt and shame. “I can manage at these energon levels.”

Soundwave offlines his optic for a moment. Conflicting thoughts and emotions run through him. He remembers when he first pulled the Mech into his arms in the alley. The Mech had shrank into his chest plate, a movement so small, it had been almost imperceptible. The smallest, instinctual search for comfort that Soundwave had remembered his own cassettes doing when they had been small.

“Negative.”

The lines are reconnected. The Mech is fighting recharge, unsure. Of what, Soundwave cannot tell. He cannot tell, not with his normal connections to such information severed. Unsure of this place, unsure of these people, unsure of Soundwave?

“Rest.” Soundwave places his hand on the Mech's helm, pulsing his field with comfort and relaxation, begging one of his powers to work on this stubborn mech.

The Mech's optic begins to dim.

Chapter Text

Shockwave startled awake, spark spinning slightly in its chamber.

“Relax buddy. You're in the Pits’ medbay.”

The voice was unfamiliar. Shockwave looked over. A cyberbird wearing a red visor and yellow trim on its wings was perched on the berth-side table. Shockwave stared.

“A cyberbird?”

The cyberbird upturned his beak into a grin, “No, I’m just a really smart lamp.”

Shockwave tilted his helm the best he could from his position lying down, “A beast-former. Fascinating.”

The cyberbird beat his wings, raising his tiny frame into the air slightly, and perched atop Shockwave’s considerably sized chest compartment.

“My name is Buzzsaw,” squawked Buzzsaw, raising his wings dramatically in a move that showed off his entire wingspan.

“Shockwave,” said Shockwave in return. Buzzsaw visibly pulled his head back, like he was surprised. Neither said anything for a moment. “Where-" Shockwave had to reset his voice box, “Where is the mech that saved me? The blue one?”

Buzzsaw smiled a bit mischievously. “Soundwave? Working. He sent me to keep an optic on you.” Buzzsaw frowned. “That wasn't a one-optic joke.”

Shockwave ignored him. “Sent you? Do you…belong to him?”

Buzzsaw beat a wing to his chest. “I belong to no mech.” He leaned down real close, visor staring into Shockwave’s optic. “I work with him.” Shockwave rolled that information around his processor.

“Then you know him considerably?”

Buzzsaw squawked in what Shockwave thought might be the equivalent of laughter. “I would like to think I know him pretty well.”

Shockwave thought it best to get to the point.

“He is an Outlier? Correct? A Mech with a special ability?”

Buzzsaw pulled his head back, tilted in open confusion, “How would you know that?”

“He did something to me,” Shockwave said with a certain tint to his voice. If Buzzsaw didn't know better he would say it sounded like glee. “He must have some sort of ability to affect or manipulate the processor.” Ok, Buzzsaw was pretty sure Shockwave sounded downright giddy that time.

Buzzsaw’s beak hung open a little bit. Slowly, it shut as a grin took its place, “You'll have to ask him yourself.”

……………….

**How did you retrieve his name?**

**I asked him.**

Soundwave pinched the nose of his visor. Yes, of course, for it to be so simple.

**Well technically I introduced myself and he introduced himself. A step you must have failed to do since I had to tell him YOUR name.**

Soundwave stopped in the middle of his task. The audacity. But, thinking back. Oh. He HADN’T introduced himself, had he. Oh what a fool he was. He put his servos to his helm in shame.

**Buzzsaw, stop teasing the Boss.** Laserbeak chastised.

**The Boss should not be so easily teased.** Ravage remarked, a bit of humor slipping through the bond as well.

Soundwave was smiling behind his mask. If only all conversations could be nothing but light teasing with his cassettes. But there was business to be done.

**Laserbeak. Buzzsaw: Data pad, prepared?**

**Yes, prepared to be picked up before your meeting with Megatronus** came Laserbeaks’ poised response.

Soundwave vented in relief. He hadn't actually seen who the Mech was yet, but the twins assured him Megatronus would be pleased. He trusted the cassettes’ research as if he had scoured the infranet himself. Everything in that data pad would be accurate. If they said a case could be made from the information they pulled, he trusted them. Regardless, Soundwave would view the full contents of the data pad and make a compelling case to secure the Mech’s stay in the Pits. Soundwave would do whatever he could to ensure the Mech’ survival.

In the meantime, there was always work to be done. Soundwave sighed and turned his helm towards the monitoring station.

……………….

As promised, the cyberbirds had the data pad ready for Soundwave right as he arrived. He thanked them, stroking their feathers, and then he was off, reading and walking at the same time. The name at the top made him stop dead in his tracks.

Shockwave?

Senator Shockwave???

He took a minute to process. It was true that Senator Shockwave had gone missing a couple of solar cycles ago. Soundwave flipped through the files. The cassettes, as always, had done their research. Backtracking sightings of the purple mech to the crystal city, the Senator's home city. Compiling evidence of the Senator's wrongdoings, in the eyes of the senate, that would require an empurata operation and ensuing shadowplay. Pulling all of the Senator's scientific studies and comparing it to the purple mech's known line of work in the streets of Kaon. And there was the recent comments made to Buzzsaw about Soundwave’s own Outlier abilities, a known pet curiosity of the Senator, as he associated with Outlier mechs like other senators associated with lobbyists. If this was a case of two Mechs sharing a name it would be quite the damning coincidence.

Forget convincing Megatron to allow Shockwave to stay. One look at his list of known fields of study and they should be the ones recruiting him.

……………….

Soundwave was sitting in Megatronus’ office. It was actually just a repurposed workspace in the depths of the Pits. But it was dedicated solely to him and all his machinations for the future. A future revolutionary and a leader of the Pits’ coalition needed a desk to himself. Megatronus leaned over said desk, hands clasped together.

“Soundwave. I hear you have brought a stranger into our home. A stranger that has wreaked havoc on our medbay.” He shook his head at Soundwave, like a disappointed Sire. Flabbergasted, he sat back in his seat flicking a single servo to the ceiling. “Hook has been in my audial for joors complaining that he was almost shot.”

Soundwave's visor flickered mischievously. “Mech: may have been doing us all a favor where Hook is concerned.”

Megatronus snorted lightly at his fellow gladiator ‘s dark humor.

“He IS our only medic.” Megatronus then sighed deeply, “What possesses you?” He leaned forward over the desk once again, fingers steepled together.

Soundwave sat for a moment before laying the data pad in front of Megatronus. Lazily, he picks up the device and stiffens as he reads the name on top.

“Shockwave? The senator?” Megatronus looked at Soundwave with surprise. “You brought the missing senator here and are only now telling me?” Megatronus asked with a slight edge of anger to his voice.

“I did not know.” Soundwave confessed. Megatronus stared hard at him. Soundwave looked down, servos clasped in his lap. Megatronus relaxed. He looked more deeply at the datapad before him. “A victim of the senate, of empurata, presumably also of shadowplay. You propose him as an ally?” Megatronus glanced at Soundwave as he continued to read the data pad’s contents.

“Shockwave: also a scientist. Fields of study include: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine, Engineering, Botany, Zoology, and Outliers.” Soundwave leaned over the desk as he punctuated every word with a digit to the desk. “Alliance: mutually beneficial.”

“Megatronus’ optics flickered with thought. He looked at Soundwave with a grin. “He could build us weapons.” He said triumphantly.

“And more.” Soundwave stressed, hoping his friend and leader would think through all the practical applications.

“And more.” Megatronus grinned, a bit of a crazed look in his optics that he got when he was vivisecting a mech in the gladiatorial ring.

Soundwave sat back, pleased at the excitement Megatronus displayed even if he had a one track processor for how to deploy the scientist.

“There is one thing that irks me, Soundwave.” Megatronus overturned the datapad. Soundwave's visor flickered up to him, full attention.

“How could you of all people not know the identity of the mech you bring into our halls?” Megatronus asked his voice turning more inquisitive.

Soundwave hesitated. He could hide nothing from his friend and leader. “He is the exception to my abilities.” Soundwave confessed again.

“You can't read his mind?” Megatronus looked at Soundwave with concern.

“Negative.”

“Is this a result of the empurata? The shadowplay?”

Soundwave considered. “Perhaps, but Soundwave: able to read empurata bots before. Extent of shadow play: unknown. But, Soundwave: able to detect a small EM field from Shockwave.”

Megatronus studied Soundwave carefully. “You are not…frightened by this, my friend?”

Soundwave looked at Megatronus, touched by his rare display of concern.

“Negative…Soundwave: interested in this development. No mech has ever been…silent to Soundwave.”

Megatronus listened to Soundwave carefully. It was rare for his friend to share anything regarding his own feelings.

“Ah. I see.” Megatronus smirked. “So the safeguarding of this mech is…personal to you”

Soundwave's visor flared. “Hold-”

“Say no more Soundwave, as soon as he is able, I will speak to Shockwave regarding recruitment. If he agrees, we can set up an empty habsuite and workspace for him. Dismissed.”

Shockwave sputtered for a few kilks, useless noises spilling from his voice box, absolutely stunned at Megatronus’ utter assumptions. But with no arguments to voice to this, ultimately agreeable, development, Soundwave soon left the room, grinning Megatronus and all.

Chapter Text

Shockwave was bored.

Recovery was taking longer than he would have liked. It turns out long term energon deprivation required more than just filling your tanks once, but small and frequent drips to refill the tank’s capacity to what they once were. As well as frequent bouts of recharge to stabilize these energy levels. But in-between, there was nothing for his processor to do! Nothing but stare at the, now familiar, ceiling.

Shockwave's thoughts turned to his one fascination he did develop while he remained here. The blue and white mech. “Soundwave” as the cyberbird had called him. The Outlier.

A part of Shockwave knew that Outliers had been an old research habit of the senator. A part of his old life that he did not really remember. If he reached he could find a few faces buried deep in his memory banks, Outlier mechs the Senator must have interacted with at some point. All that truly remained from that time was the fascination. The seeking of knowledge. The craving of understanding. The satisfaction of putting together pieces of a larger mystery and watching it all come together.

Shockwave thought of what he knew.

-Soundwave was an Outlier
-Soundwave’s Outlier ability affected the processor
-Soundwave’s Outlier ability could be activated by touch

What exactly his ability was, Shockwave wasn't sure. He wished he had more awareness when Soundwave had used his ability. Was it a technical process that enabled the ability? Or was it an emotional one? Could he affect the entire processor or only certain parts? What exactly was the effect of his abilities and what were its limitations? Was his touch the only way it could be activated? Would he perform it again on Shockwave if he asked? Augh, any answer Shockwave could conjure to these questions was pure speculation. Nothing laced in the cold, hard servos of logic or reason. But with nothing else to do, he could not help but speculate.

Shockwave thought about the servo that had touched his helm. About the calm that had surged to his core after nullifying all the anxieties that had built up over solar cycles of his existence. And the slip of blissful recharge that had come after. He sighed.

Soundwave had not come back since that day. Probably would not come back. As he understood, he was one of the Pits’ top gladiators. He had been lucky to spend any time in that presence, luckier still that Soundwave had taken pity enough on him to take his sorry frame back to the Pits for repairs. Once Hook deemed him well enough, Shockwave was sure he would find himself on the streets of Kaon again with nowhere to go.

Perhaps boredom was a fine state to be in.

……………….

Soundwave received a ping from Hook. It seemed Shockwave had adequately recovered enough to be dismissed from the medbay. Soundwave wondered if he could get through the next cycle without incident. Somehow he had divulged to Megatronus a personal investment in Shockwave. He wasn't sure what definition of personal Megatronus was using, but shouldn't it make sense to investigate this curious exception to his abilities? It should be obvious his interest was clearly…academic curiosity. Nothing more.

Soundwave was deeply frowning behind his mask. His helm ached.

He entered the medbay. Hook was standing before Shockwave, handing him supplies and explaining how to use the certain creams and medications to best ensure the remainder of his recovery. Shockwave's gaze was pointed down to the floor, audial fins a little lower than neutral position. He cradled the supplies to his chest with his pincher claw.

“Ah, Soundwave, there you are. I have other patients you know. You can finally take this one off my hands.” Hook brushed past him impatiently. Soundwave considered the pros and cons of strangling him.

When he turned his attention to Shockwave, his audial fins were turned slightly upward.

“Follow,” Soundwave beckoned.

Shockwave stashed the medical supplies in his subspace compartment and followed closely behind Soundwave. He still could read no surface thoughts from the one-eyed mech, even if he strained his ability. He could feel a light em field from Shockwave but it seemed to be neutral. Soundwave desisted for now. Shockwave was silent.

When they passed the Pits entrance, Shockwave perked up. “Where are we going?” He asked.

“Megatronus wishes to speak with you.”

Shockwave did not speak again after that but his field did show some apprehension. Slight enough, Soundwave wasn't sure any other mech would notice if they weren't specifically looking for it. Odd enough he had a readable field at all, if he had been shadowplayed on to the extent empurata bots usually were. He had reason to be wary, he supposed. Megatronus was an intimidating Mech.

Finally reaching their destination, Soundwave opened the door to Megatronus’ office and beckoned Shockwave through.

……………….

Megatronus' size was not diminished by a desk. Shockwave was tall, taller than he had been pre-empurata. He even stood just a little taller than Soundwave, but Megatronus was at least a head taller than both of them and twice as thick. Even thicker than Shockwave who had been reclassified as a tank after his empurata. Even as he stood across from Megatronus' sitting form, he felt absolutely dwarfed by his magnitude and hard, red, passionate eyes.

“Sit,” Megatronus said simply.

He sat.

Soundwave stood behind them at the door, arms crossed, visor revealing nothing.

Megatronus let the uncomfortable tension sit between them for a few kliks until Shockwave thought his vents would clog on it. His optic stared warily at the top gladiator.

“Senator Shockwave,” Megatronus started.

Shockwave balked. “I do not go by that title anymore.”

Megatronus looked annoyed to be interrupted.

“Apologies,” Shockwave titled his optic down in deference. Megatron could crush him in a second.

“Shockwave,” Megatronus corrected. “You were brought here weakened to the point of dying. A victim of the State, brought low by enforced empurata, disabled by the senate you were employed by, and rejected by the society you were elected by.” Megatronus waved his arms around as he waxed poetically. He stood, servos on desk as he peered down on Shockwave's frozen form. “And what crimes did you commit to justify your would-be-death on the streets? Tell me Shockwave?” Megatronus’ voice had taken on an edge of rage.

Shockwave looked up at him, optic matching optics. “My files say, “political zealtoray” Shockwave shook his head. “I-I don't know. I don't remember.”

Megatronus’ optics softened as he regained his seat. “This is an opportunity, Shockwave. I am putting together a coalition. We wish to fire back on the senate's oppression. No longer should frame type or circumstance lock one into a mech’s outcome. A miner could be a gladiator. A gladiator can be a writer.” His eyes flickered briefly past him to Soundwave, “Or a carrier.” Back to Shockwave. “An empurata bot can be a scientist.”

Shockwave wasn't sure what he was hearing. “How?” He asked, his voice slightly strained.

Megatronus smiled, “Work for me, build my weapons for the inevitable conflict to come. Manage your own projects on the side. I can provide you the funds and the materials.”

Shockwave sat unmoving. He reset his audials. “You're…..you're giving me a job?”

“We have an agreement, then?” Megatronus reached out a servo. Shockwave stared at Megatronus and then at the outstretched palm. He reached out his own claw. Megatronus reached past it to grasp at his forearm. “Fantastic, Soundwave will show you to your new habsuite.”

Shockwave may have stood rooted in place forever in shock, but gentle servos grabbed him by the shoulder pad, leading him out of the room and down a hallway. Soundwave sent him a data packet to his open line. When Shockwave opened it, it was a map of the Pits. He followed along its diagrams as Soundwave showed him around.

Soundwave first led him to a room with energon dispensers and empty cubes lining a wall. Soundwave filled one. “Every mech in the Pits gets an allotment of one cube per day.” Soundwave gave him the cube. Shockwave immediately stored it for later consumption. One cube per day. It may not seem like a lot for some mechs, but to Shockwave it was more than he had ever had.

Soundwave beckoned him down another hallway. This one had larger, mostly empty rooms. Soundwave stopped at one and entered a door code. “Laboratory: repurposed storage room” Soundwave explained, almost apologetically, as they both stepped into the room. Shockwave looked around. There was plenty of space, multiple worktables, a console (though it looked outdated), and most surprisingly of all, several pieces of high tech lab equipment already set up for use. “I don't think empty storage rooms come with lab equipment.” Shockwave said with a twinge of humor in his voice.

Soundwave hummed. “Equipment: ….procured by Soundwave.” Shockwave wasn't going to question that. Equipment was equipment.

“I am eager to get started.” Shockwave stated plainly.

“Tour: unfinished.” Soundwave pulled a hesitant Shockwave from the laboratory. Ah yes. Soundwave still needed to show him to his habsuite.

Shockwave's processor stalled. Soundwave was showing him to his habsuite. There was nothing intended in that was there? As they walked Shockwave was pondering it over. He supposed he owed Soundwave. Owed Soundwave a lot. If-If he needed to…Well he would give a lot of things to keep his newly secure position in place. Up to and including interface. He had just been lining up to be a pleasure bot at a club just before now. He could do this.

Soundwave took him to a hall lined with habsuites. He picked one and reset the code, waiting patiently for Shockwave to enter his own. Shockwave did so with shaky digits. He entered. Soundwave stood in the doorway. Shockwave sat at the berth and looked at him, expectantly.

The light from the hall haloed Soundwave, making the blue of his plating appear hazy. It reminded Shockwave of his first encounter with Soundwave when his vision was blurry from energon deprivation.

“Shockwave: should rest. Recharge: important for recovery. Start in lab: tomorrow.” Shockwave tilted his head. Huh? Soundwave made to leave.

“Wait!” Shockwave pinched Soundwave's arm more roughly with his claw than he intended and pulled him into the habsuite. The door slid shut and the light from the hall vanished, leaving the two in the dark with nothing but optics lighting each other's frames.

“I must repay you,” Shockwave said softly, suddenly embarrassed.

Now Soundwave looked confused. “Negative? For what?”

“For everything!” Shockwave looked at Soundwave, optic so bright Soundwave thought it might blind him. It slowly dimmed. “I have little to give, but my array is clean. I might not look like much, but I can give you a satisfactory experience.”

Soundwave was still confused. Suddenly something clicked and the light in his visor blared as his eyes widened in clarity.

“Negative! Unnecessary!” He grabbed Shockwave's pincher in his servo. He struggled to stay calm and quiet with his voice. “There is no debt. Shockwave's employment: enough.”

“Ah.” Embarrassment crawled on Shockwave's plating. He should know better to proposition a top gladiator. He could get anyone he wanted. Why would he stoop as low as Shockwave? He had forgotten his place. He removed his claw from Soundwave's grasp. “I see. Forget I said anything.” He turned to the berth, burning with shame, expecting Soundwave to leave immediately.

Instead Soundwave put a servo on his shoulder pad. Shockwave’s attention flickered to it but he did not turn. “We do not trade favors here. Repayment: unnecessary.”

The two stood like that for a few klicks. It was only after the weight of the servo had gone and the sound of the door clicked shut and stayed shut for several moments that Shockwave finally collapsed into the berth for recharge.

Chapter Text

Ravage was bored.

She laid in the ventilation shaft, yellow optics watching the purple, one eyed mech move around his laboratory in precise, calculated movements. She had been there for joors and the Mech had not seen or heard her. Her jet black frame blended her perfectly into the shadows. She had learned to sit still for joors on end, unblinking in the darkness, moving only to shift with the shadows around her. She herself became the perfect shadow, as her training with Soundwave had taught her.

**Ravage: Report.** Soundwave relayed over the bond network.

Ravage yawned lazily. **Nothing to report.**

**Nothing?**

**Nothing! He’s boring.** Ravage curled her mouth plate in annoyance. **He organized his tools. Twice! Other than that he’s done nothing but sit with a datapad all day.**

**Organization: not boring.** Soundwave insisted. Ravage rolled her eyes.

**Yeah, I like organizing my rock collection.” Laserbeak added, taking a moment from her patrol flight around Kaon.

**Laser, I have breaking news for you. Listen to this.** Buzzsaw also took a moment from patrolling to interject. **Cyberbird: Bored to death mid-flight talking about organizing rocks.**

Ravage snorted. Shockwave’s audial fins raised for a moment. He looked around the lab. Ravage ducked out of the light shining into the ventilation shaft, quieting all her limbs for a moment. When she looked back, it appeared the Scientist's attention was back to whatever he was marking up on that pad of his. Ha. Ravage flicked her optics up, smiling to herself in a silent laugh. The clever ones were never as smart as they thought they were. When she cast her attention back to the lab once more she saw the stool Shockwave once occupied was empty. Wait? Where did he-?

Suddenly, a servo was reaching into the vent and grabbing Ravage by the scruff of her neck. She sent panic through the bond as she was pulled into the bright light of the laboratory. Shockwave held her level with his optic, helm tilted. “A stowaway?” he murmured, curiosity in his voice. None of the disdain or frustration Ravage was used to hearing from the other mechs the Boss usually consorted with.

“Put me down!” she hissed. Shockwave did. Ravage ran for the shadows formed under a nearby workstation table. Shockwave raised the pincher of his claw to the chin of his helm.

“A beast-former,” He said, an answer to a question only he, himself had asked. Shockwave knelt slightly at the table she resided under. Not enough where she could see his helm but enough his knees were bent and he could rest his pincher claw on his leg. “Where did you come from?” he asked, somehow gentle, though his voice remained monotone. Ravage did not answer. The shadow of the purple mech fell away, but soon returned. Ravage watched carefully as a claw placed an open energon cube at the foot of the table. He walked away soon after.

**Ravage: Report!** Soundwave’s voice was strained through the bond.

**I’m fine!** Ravage relayed hastily. She blinked slowly, collecting herself. **Shockwave caught me. He didn’t hurt me. He gave me energon.** Ravage curled up against herself. **I think he thinks I’m lost or something. Soundwave, what do I do?**

Soundwave was quiet for a few breems. **Don’t blow your cover. Not yet.**

Ravage hesitated, unsure. **I don’t need the energon. He does.** Soundwave shared Ravage’s discomfort and showed this in the bond.

**Soundwave: Will intervene if necessary. Ravage: keep your cover, gather intel**

Ravage began lapping up the energon. It was good. She hadn’t had an extra energon ration since the twin cyberbirds were born. It settled in her tanks nicely. She crept out from under the table and slinked across the room to a corner where she could see Shockwave. He noticed her movement and flicked his optic towards her for a moment. She glared at him. He turned back to his work.

**Do you guys really think my rock collection is boring?**

Ravage did not move a muscle but responded through the bond, **Your rock collection is great, Laser.** Laserbeak pulsed appreciation at her.

Ravage stayed like that for a joor or two, staring at Shockwave, safe in her corner. Shockwave had not moved from his workstation at all. If not for his claw moving over the datapad he could be mistaken for a statue.

The evening joors descended on the two. Shockwave finally offlined his datapad. Ravage stood on all four pedes as Shockwave made his way near her. He stood a good 20 yards away when he spoke. “I have to lock up for the night. You can remain here, if you wish. I cannot say anything for the others in this base, but you will be safe in this laboratory.” Ravage tilted her helm, eyeing Shockwave warily with suspicion. But all Shockwave did was turn to leave. The lights of the lab dimmed and Ravage was left alone.

After some back and forth with Soundwave, Ravage elected to spend the night, in case Shockwave came back for some late night, “sciencing,” as Buzzsaw called it. Ravage jumped up to the workstation Shockwave had been working at and onlined the datapad he had been working on. Blueprints. All drawn in shaky, squiggly hand by the Scientist. All of machines, gadgetry, and weapons of function and design Ravage didn't recognize. She huffed. It appeared the Mech had been working after all. Ravage sent the images over the bond and then circled the lab to find a comfortable place to sleep for the night.

……………….

It was early. Earlier than Ravage preferred to be up but when she jolted her head up from the warm, buzzing machine she had curled up on the night before she found that Shockwave was already in the lab, tinkering with some sort of metal paneling. As Ravage gained her bearings she found an open energon cube laying before her. Ravage stared at it. She huffed, a laugh so dry it was pretty much noiseless. The fool. He was going to starve himself. For what gain?

Ravage closed the cube with her pedes and took it into her fangs. She jumped onto the table adjacent to the station Shockwave was working at. Shockwave must have heard her because he did not startle at her sudden appearance. “Stubborn, observant Mech,” Ravage complained internally. She placed the cube down. Shockwave looked at her, optic light glinting with curiosity. “I don’t need your charity,” she hissed.

Shockwaves audial fins pointed down. “You must be hungry.”

“Ha! And I'm sure there’s plenty to go around down here in the Gladiatorial Pits!” Ravage chastised sarcastically. Shockwave turned his attention back to the metal paneling in front of him.

“I can get by,” was all he said.

“Liar,” thought Ravage. “And not even a good one.”

“Take it,” Ravage insisted

“No,” Shockwave said with a hard tone.

“I don't even need this much,” Ravage insisted. “If you insist on starving yourself, at least take half.” Ravage looked down at the cube. Something about this conversation felt painfully familiar, to a time in the Pits where rations did not flow as freely. When only Gladiators who won their fights were awarded energon and there wasn’t enough to go around. Megatronus had put a stop to that when he won enough to partially buy a share in the Pits and ensure all Mechs got energon regardless of status. Before that though, Soundwave had always, always made sure she was fed before he was. Ravage continued to stare at the cube. “I’m smaller than you.” she said quietly. “I don’t need as much.”

She saw Shockwave’s pinched claw push the energon cube a little closer to her. “Drink your fill first.” Ravage did so, drinking less than half. She then stared down Shockwave as he picked up the cube with a shaky claw. Was he already starting to feel drained? He was still recovering from long term deprivation. Shockwave opened a port on his side and pulled out a small tube that he began to pour the contents of the cube into. Ravage wasn’t fully sure what to expect from the Mech without a mouth but it hadn’t really been this. Soon the cube was empty and placed back on the table.

As Shockwave began tooling with the metal sheet again he began asking questions, seemingly unable to hold back his curious nature any further. Who was she? Where did she come from? Did she come from the Beast Lands? Why was she here? Why come to the Pits of all places? Why was she hiding in the ventilation shaft? Where had she been getting energon from previously?

Ravage was trying her best to keep her answers vague. Others she answered in a hard glare like they did not even dignify a response. She was a cybercat. Nowhere. Glare. Shelter, why else. Glare. It's quiet in the vents. Glare.

When she felt her nerves fray she snapped “Why did YOU come to the Pits huh, what's an empurata bot doing among gladiators?”

Shockwave was quiet. Internally, Ravage was smacking her paw pede in her faceplate over and over, instantly regretting her words.

“I did not choose to come here. But I choose to remain.” Ravage knew the answer was honest, more painfully honest than she had expected. “There is security to be found here, even for one such as me.”

“Why help me then? Don’t you have everything to lose in hiding me?” Ravage asked, an edge of bitterness to her voice.

Shockwave thought some more. “Someone helped me,” he said, “When I needed it.”

……………….

Soundwave felt sick. When Megatronus had asked him to keep an optic on their new charge, he had readily agreed. He had his own interest in the purple mech after all. He had brought Shockwave to the fold himself. If there was anything nefarious in Shockwave’s actions, it would be better to catch it early.

He hadn’t expected Shockwave to be kind to his daughter. To treat her as an equal who was worthy of his protection. He hadn’t expected him to sacrifice his daily allotment of energon for her! He had heard empurata bots often had their emotional centers ripped out, making them incapable of feeling after their operation. That empurata bots were often victims of shadowplay, dampening any connections they might still have and making them cold and self-centered.

Soundwave was already doubting this narrative based on the few interactions he had with Shockwave. His voice was often flat and monotone, but many mechs accused Soundwave of sounding the same. It was small and light, but the Mech did have an em field. And he had felt it flare with emotion every time Soundwave had been in his vicinity. Relief, Fatigue, Fear, Guilt, Shame, Embarrassment…Mostly negative emotions he realized, except the bit of Joy he felt when seeing his lab the first time. They were dulled compared to most mechs but they were there.

Cold? Self-centered? Soundwave now had evidence that argued the opposite. Was this more evidence of senate propaganda? Of making mechs so fearful of empurata bots that none would wish to encounter them. His spark hurt. He wasn't sure what he was pulsing over the bond at this point, but Ravage was pulsing concern and comfort back to him. Soundwave had to pull himself together. He would make things right.

Chapter Text

Shockwave was getting used to his new companion in the lab. The cybercat had been lounging on different machines the last cycle and a half, always eyeing him from a distance. If he had a properly equipped servo he might have considered trying to pet her in one of her rare moments she deemed to be close to him. But he couldn't imagine the pincher claw would be enjoyable for either of them. 

When he heard the door of his laboratory slide open, he jumped up, looking frantically at Ravage's spot in the corner. With relief, he saw she was already speeding towards him. He directed her towards a compartment under his workstation that had been, thankfully, installed with a curtain. With some difficulty with one pincher claw, he hurriedly shut it closed behind her, nearly getting snagged on the rings.

“Shockwave,” a deep voice commanded behind him.

Shockwave whirled around, positioning his frame so his thick pedes stood in front of the curtain. Megatronus and Soundwave stood before him. Megatronus grinned at him. “How is the laboratory? Everything, to your satisfaction?” 

Shockwave looked up at him. “It is…satisfactory.” He said, uncertainly.

“Have you anything to show so far?”

Shockwave's yellow optic blinked. “Just blueprints.” Megatronus’ grin never faded. He invaded Shockwave’s space, chest square to his optic, looking down at him with piercing, red eyes.

“Are you hiding something, em-pur-a-ta?” Megatronus asked, punctuating every syllable. 

“Of course not,” Shockwave said, begging any waver not to show up in his voice. 

“Hmmm,” Megatronus stepped back. “Are you aware, Shockwave, that Soundwave can read minds?” Shockwave froze.

“I was aware he had an Outlier ability,” There wasn't much hope in hiding the waver in his voice now. “One that affected the processor.” He looked at Soundwave. With his visor completely opaque he was completely unreadable. “I was unaware he could read minds.”

“This does not need to be a difficult Shockwave. Consent to a mind-reading, prove yourself a worthy scientist for the coalition.”

Shockwave huffed. “Unnecessary. I have nothing to hide.” Shockwave shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. It appeared jerky and half-hearted. 

Megatronus grinned, his smile stretching his face plates in a way Shockwave now found terrifying.

“Then this should not be a problem.” He turned to face Soundwave.

Soundwave looked to his leader. “Megatronus,” he pleaded.

“Soundwave,” Megatronus said sternly, optics hard. Soundwave stared back. An argument was being had. One that Soundwave was losing. Finally Soundwave acquiesced, walking past Megatronus. Shockwave pressed against the table as far away from the two as he could but that did not stop Soundwave's stifling presence from pressing ever closer to him. 

“Apologies,” he mumbled. He grabbed Shockwave fiercely by the forearm. Shockwave tried to pull away but the Gladiator's grip was strong. Soundwave placed his other hand on Shockwave's forehelm. Shockwave stared at him, optic light wide and bright. Nothing happened for a klick. Then two.

 “What-” Shockwave tried to ask when he felt his presence being pulled away, down, down, down into the depths of his own processor.

……………….

Soundwave wasn't sure this would work. He hadn't been able to read surface Shockwave’s surface thoughts. There was no guarantee an in-depth processor dive would yield different results. Even if they did, he hadn't told Megatronus about Ravages’ predicament to trick Shockwave into allowing a dive on him. He hadn't even been able to warn Ravage in time! But regardless, Megatronus was Megatronus and here he was, servos on a Mech he desperately wanted to fix things with.

He concentrated. The lab slowly faded away. The familiar etchings of a processor came into focus. Its crevices, its nooks, its crannies, the grinded textures of compartments. Compartments stacked on top of another. Memory banks, emotional centers, personality cores, everything that made a mech themselves. It was usually at this point a mech in a dive would start fighting back, processor putting up panicked firewalls in an attempt to keep him out. He was dangerous after all, so close to all these vital components. Soundwave waited a moment, situating himself to his surroundings. Shockwave's processor was particularly orderly. Incredibly organized. Massive. He could only imagine the amount of knowledge stored here. However, he noticed whole sections damaged, scorched, blackened or sizzling with static.

He realized he had been there for an extended period of time and no firewalls had been placed. Soundwave spread his awareness out. He could feel Shockwave’s presence, stronger than a mech normally would be for one of his processor dives. Soundwave pulsed inquisitively at the presence of Shockwave. It took a few moments but Shockwave pulsed curiously back. Interesting. The questions around Shockwave continue to grow. Soundwave supposed he should look for the thing he pretended he didn't know. He reached for the memories of the last few days. A few beckoned to him. Only now, the panicked presence that was Shockwave was putting firewalls to try and block him. Adorable. Soundwave tore through them easily. He looked through the memories to see Ravage laying around the lab when the memories started to fizzle out at the edges. 

What? He didn't have a frame in this space necessarily, so he didn't need to turn but in his mind's eye he did and as he did he was grabbed by a presence. Grabbed? He had never been touched by another in this space. His mind felt white hot, the spot he had been grabbed felt like it was burning. At the edges of the burn he could just hear pleading, “Stop,” He turned to the voice and suddenly it wasn't he who was looking through memories but his that were being looked through. Of him and his Cybercat. “Ravage,” he thought desperately. “The beast-former,” the presence thought, “A cassette?” It let go. It let go and the heat died with it and suddenly. Soundwave was alone.

Soundwave oriented himself. He was still in Shockwave’s processor. If the presence called Shockwave was still here it was too muted to be felt. 

Soundwave restored the memories to their rightful place. He went to withdraw, but nothing about this felt right. He couldn't leave this processor in disarray. His mind pulsed with apology, with warmth, with comfort. He tried to stretch it to every corner. Then he withdrew.

……………….

Shockwave was very still in his arms when the surroundings of the lab came back into his view. Though Soundwave's servo still laid a palm across his helm Shockwave's optic pointed towards the ground. “You knew,” he said quietly. He shook his head. “She was yours all along.”

Before Soundwave could answer, Ravage jumped up on the table. “Hardly,” she puffed up, “I'm my own Mech.” When Shockwave did not even lift his helm to look at her, she deflated and looked at Soundwave with worry. 

Megatronus pushed Soundwave aside.

“I hope you have learned a dear lesson, Shockwave. Nothing escapes our view. We. Know. Everything.” He grabbed the edge of Shockwave's chest plating. “Do not lie to me again.” He said darkly. 

Shockwave had still not looked up from the floor “Yes, Megatronus.” He answered. 

Soundwave glowered. “Intimidation: unnecessary. Shockwave: faithful.” 

Megatronus faltered a bit. “Ah, but Soundwave-” 

“Megatronus: trusts Soundwave?

“Yes, but-”

“Soundwave: can handle things from here.”

Megatronus gaped at Soundwave a bit, faltering at his Second in Command's sudden backbone. He smiled genuinely. “All right then, Soundwave.”

Once Megatronus had made his leave, Soundwave turned his attention back to Shockwave. The Mech was in a state. Pincher claw grasping firmly at his gun barrel, optic firmly pointed downward, with finials as far down as Soundwave had ever seen them. 

Soundwave stood next to the purple mech. “Apologies,” he started hesitantly. “Ravage: in laboratory under my orders.” Soundwave watched as Shockwave's audial fins wavered slightly, showing he was listening. “Soundwave: Second in Command, communications specialist and security chief for Megatronus’ coalition. Ravage: listening in as part of security detailing.” Soundwave clasped his hands together and nervously rubbed his digits together. “Soundwave: wrong to use Ravage to deceive Shockwave.”

Shockwave stood still for many breems. When Soundwave had given up on the idea of the Mech speaking back to him, Shockwave replied, “It was…logical to use an unknown agent to gather information about an unknown entity in your midst.” Shockwave vented deeply, finally relaxing the pincher arm and allowing it to rest at his side, next to Soundwave's arm. “I failed Megatronus’ test of loyalty. I have no one to blame but myself.”

To both of the mechs' surprise, Ravage had taken up near their pedes. She was weaving back and forth between Shockwave's pedes, nuzzling her helm against his legs. Shockwave's shoulder pads relaxed even further. 

Soundwave considered all that had happened. “You may have failed whatever test Megatronus had imagined.” He said, placing a servo near the pincher that had been placed at the edge of the table, “But Shockwave passed any test I could possibly conjure.” When Shockwave looked at Soundwave, Soundwave smiled, his visor brightening considerably. Shockwave's optic brightened in turn. 

“I'm sorry.” Ravage said quietly, still at Shockwave's feet. 

Shockwave did not have to think about his response at all. “Forgiven.” He said simply. 

Ravage purred as she continued to nuzzle Shockwave's legs.

Chapter Text

When Shockwave arrived at his lab the next day, Soundwave was there, leaned up against a workstation. Ravage sat on the table. Soundwave had his arms crossed comfortably over his chest plates, looking down at the Cybercat, who looked up at him reverently. The two appeared to be engaged in silent conversation, both tilting their heads, Soundwave's visor light gliding around as his eyes shifted, Ravage making several expressions in a row as the conversation shifted.

As Shockwave approached them, Soundwave's visor glinted to his direction, but he made no effort to move from his comfortable position.

“Commander,” Shockwave greeted Soundwave with a nod. Ravage stifled a laugh.

“Formality: unnecessary.” Soundwave said coolly.

“If you say so.” Shockwave replied. He brandished an energon cube from his subspace compartment. Pinching it open he placed it in front of Ravage. Ravage looked up at him, optical ridges raising up, absolutely baffled.

Soundwave rubbed the brow of his visor. “Unnecessary” Soundwave intoned, somewhat embarrassed. “Ravage: Not in need of energon.”

Ravage snickered.

Shockwave looked back and forth at the two of them. “Ah. I see.” He said in realization. It was his turn to be embarrassed.

Soundwave finally stood from his lounging position. He placed a servo on Shockwave's shoulder pad.

“Soundwave: appreciates the care Shockwave took with Ravage. Many: doubtful of cassettes’ sentience.” Soundwave's visor glared with fiery anger.

Shockwave did not know how to respond to this. He looked at the servo on his shoulder and back at Soundwave. His processor latched on to a certain piece of information.

“Cassettes?”

Soundwave smiled behind his mask. The smile reached his visor and the light crinkled and warped in a joyous pattern.

“Soundwave: cassette-former.”

Soundwave moved away from the station, parting a few feet away from Shockwave. The panel that made up Soundwave's chest panel clicked open and Shockwave realized the panel was actually a thick glass forming a window into an empty chest compartment. Ravage jumped, transforming in midair. Her mass was displaced as she shrank into a small, rectangular tape, landing in Soundwave's empty compartment. Just as quickly, Ravage performed the reverse transformation returning to her cybercat form. Soundwave closed the glass window of his chest compartment.

Shockwave had watched the entire sequence with rapt attention. This was the type of knowledge his processor craved. The unknown, the unusual, the mysterious being unraveled. “Fascinating!” Shockwave closed the distance between them in a second, optic bright. “The opportunities such transformations would allow! How do you utilize the cassette? How does the chest department work? Are there more cassettes? How many cassettes can you hold?” Shockwave took a moment to examine the now closed chest panel before him. “Does the chest compartment work like a tape deck? Does it play sound? Can-”

Soundwave raised a servo. “Cease questioning.” His helm was tilted back in surprise. He was certain this was the most words he had heard Shockwave speak in the entire time he had known him.

Shockwave's audial fins pointed down. “Of course. I forgot my place.” He said quietly.

Soundwave's spark hurt a bit at the downturned fins. It wouldn't hurt to answer some of the scientist’s questions.

“Casesstes: deployed for surveillance and espionage. Cassettes: able to record data to be played audibly in tape deck. As well as transmit data securely to each other and to me through cassette-host bond. Shockwave has already met Ravage, Buzzsaw. There is one other. Laserbeak. Perhaps, Shockwave will meet her as well. As for sound-”

“Fascinating!” Soundwave played from his speakers, the exclamation Shockwave had let out just moments before.

Shockwave's fins twitched excitedly. He thought for a moment. “Just surveillance? I would imagine they would be a great advantage in the gladiator pit.”

Soundwave's visor darkened. “Never in the gladiatorial pit.” Ravage whined. She had curled around Soundwave's pedes post transformation and now nuzzled against him.

The light in Soundwave's visor returned. “Soundwave: has something to show you.” He walked to the back of the laboratory, Shockwave following behind.

“On Megatronus' behalf,” he beckoned to the contents on the table. Shockwave examined them. Two detachable purple servos laid out on the table. Servos. With digits. Shockwave looked at Soundwave with surprise. “Megatronus believes a mech is only at their best with the right tools. A scientist, building weapons, will benefit from servos.”

Shockwave had to reset his voice box to be able to respond. “I can only use one.” He said shakily. “My cannon was grafted on to be unremovable. I tried.”

“One then” said Soundwave. He took Shockwave's claw in his servo. He pulsed comfort and trust. Shockwave looked at him and nodded. Soundwave untwisted the claw pincher from his arm and settled the purple servo to the joint. Once in place, Shockwave was able to use the barrel of his cannon to twist the servo tightly into place. The lines of the servo connected. Shockwave moved his digits. He gasped slightly from his voice box, venting air a little bit.

“How does it feel, Shocks?” Ravage asked. Shockwave had not even realized she had jumped up on the table in front of him.

“Like mine.” He replied simply. He placed the servo on Ravage's head and rubbed the digits between her ears. Ravage purred. Soundwave smiled.

……………….

Ravage was already lounging on a workstation table when Shockwave arrived at the laboratory the next cycle. Though Shockwave looked around the laboratory thoroughly with his optic, Soundwave was nowhere to be seen. He approached Ravage and gave her a friendly pet to the head. “Am I being spied on?” Though his tone was flat, his bright optic conveyed humor.

Ravage chuckled softly. “Hardly, if I was spying you would have never seen me in the first place. Though-” Ravage frowned as she thought about how Shockwave had pulled her for the vents in her earlier espionage assignment, “You are an annoyingly observant mech.”

Shockwave huffed lightly. Ravage realized the noise was the expressionless mech's version of a chuckle. “Then why are you here?” He asked simply, pulling together tools and metals for his latest project. A simple gadget Ravage recognized from her snooping of Shockwave's blueprints.

“I don't know how to tell you this, Shocks, but the Pits aren't especially exciting.”

“Surely, your master has work you could be doing.” Shockwave replied conversationally, not looking at Ravage as he held a blowtorch to the twisted metal in front of him. Some sparks flew up from the workstation.

Ravage hissed, “Soundwave isn't my master. I'm my own mech.”

“Ah?” Shockwave replied with an uplift to his voice, an encouragement for more information.

Ravage did not elaborate.

“Well if it is a hobby you wish for, there are plenty of interesting things to study in this laboratory.” Shockwave suggested.

“Oh yes, I'm sure I would be just wonderful at operating the lab’s machinery with my paws,” Ravage replied sarcastically.

“I made do with no servos.” Shockwave challenged.

Ravage had nothing to say to that. “I wouldn't know the first thing to do in here.” She said looking around at all the strange equipment with their dials and buttons and vials and corks and fuses.

Shockwave was quiet for a few moments, pondering. The sparks stopped as he servo stilled. Finally, he pulled an ancient looking data pad from his subspace and pushed it towards Ravage. Curious, she onlined it with one of her paw pedes. It was filled almost to capacity with scientific journals, published studies, articles of interest, and… “fiction novels?” She asked, incredulously looking up at Shockwave.

“Ah yes,” Shockwave answered, never removing an optic from his work. “Apparently the senator was…fond of them. I find that I no longer care for them.”

“Why not delete them, then?” Ravage questioned, looking through the extensive library of romantic sounding titles.

“Data is data. They still may have their use.”

Ravage shook her head. She did not understand this odd mech. “What do you want me to do with this?” She asked.

“You do not know what to do here. It is knowledge you seek. My personal database is far from complete but it is a place to start.” Shockwave explained, holding the metal up to his optic for inspection.

When Shockwave glanced at Ravage, her nose was slightly curled up as she looked down at the data pad. It was only then that Shockwave considered that perhaps he had overstepped his boundaries with the young beast-former.

“You do not have to,” he said softly.

Ravage seemed to make a decision. She took the data pad in her mouth and jumped off the workstation. She settled in a corner further in the lab and onlined the pad once again, seemingly reading its contents. Shockwave returned to his work. The two stayed like that for the rest of the cycle.

……………….

The next decacycle became routine. Shockwave would enter his lab to find Ravage already there. He would hand her the datapad and she would spend most of the cycle in the corner reading its contents. She never discussed what she read with Shockwave. That suited him just fine. He appreciated her company, she was quiet and provided little distraction. There would be some cycles where Ravage would be absent from the lab, presumably busy with some chore or mission from Soundwave and Shockwave was surprised to find he missed her quiet presence during those times.

A few cycles into this routine, during one of the days Ravage was gone, Shockwave worked on a personal project. He had managed to acquire some fabrics and soft materials with a simple request to Megatronus (Who told him to just ask Soundwave about such things next time). He noticed Ravage liked to be warm and would sometimes move to the lay upon heated machinery in his lab when she took a break from her reading. He also assumed from this that she didn't mind a hard surface, but perhaps a layer of plush would be desired too. He found an old shipping container big enough for Ravage to lie in in one of the storage closets and filed down the sides. He then wrapped it in a thin layer of fabric, soft and plush, but still retaining a bit of its hard surface. He laid a large, fluffy mat in Ravage’ chosen corner and put the modified shipping container on top of it. He then added some extra lighting that could be adjusted to the area. He had noticed Ravage straining her optics a bit while reading, but he knew she liked the dark shadows as well. He made the switches big enough for paws to easily slide around. When he stood back to observe his work he was satisfied. It was only logical that someone who had started spending so much time in the lab should have a dedicated space.

The next cycle was a rare one where Shockwave had arrived before Ravage. He was slightly startled when Ravage nuzzled his servo, assuming she was spending the day training with Soundwave or some such. Her optics looked particularly tired that day. He handed her the data pad and she jumped down to make her way to her corner.

Shockwave could hear a slight gasp around the data pad in her mouth. He turned as she put the data pad down on the mat and tested the texture with her pedes. She must have liked it because she walked a giant circle around it. Next the container. She delicately placed a pede inside, ears perking up. She fully crept inside, circling the base and plopping down. She noticed Shockwave watching her.

“Did you do this?” Ravage asked, ears erect, staring Shockwave down with curious, yellow optics.

Shockwave’s optic blinked.

“I don't see anyone else who could have done it.” He said cautiously. “Do you like it?”

“Like it?” She placed her head on the side of the container. “I love it,” she mumbled just barely loud enough for Shockwave to hear. She promptly fell asleep.

Chapter Text

“I don't see why this is important,” huffed Shockwave. He and Ravage were walking down a hallway to a large gathering room.

“Megatronus wants you to meet the others.” Ravage reminded him. “Besides, you're building weapons for these mechs. Wouldn't it be easier to do if you had, I don't know, intel on them?” Ravage argued, ears twitching as she tried to pick the right words to convince this seriously stubborn Mech.

Shockwave huffed in a way that was almost a groan. “I could get all the information I need from the Pit’s listed mech schematics. This is unnecessary.”

Ravage rolled her eyes. “Come on, we will meet the twins there.”

Shockwave's fins picked up a little bit at that. He hadn't seen Buzzsaw since the medbay. And he hadn't met Laserbeak at all yet. When Ravage and he did have conversations in the lab, she often talked about them. Or complained about them. Or Soundwave. He was curious about all of them as a unit.

Shockwave entered the large gathering space. He assumed it had once been a training room converted into a living space. There was a thin upper deck where he stood now, room for a few mechs to spectate on happenings below. As he peered over the edge he could see it was currently full of mechs on comfortable seating, tables of makeshift games, and a small entertainment center mechs were crowded around. It was slightly crowded, making Shockwave uncomfortable.

He felt a weight land one of his shoulder pads. A cyberbird, yellow and black perched on him. “Hey, Shocks, remember me?’” He asked, wings spread wide and giving his body a dramatic wiggle. Shockwave was about to answer when he felt a smaller, much softer weight land on his opposite shoulder pad. Another cyberbird, identical in size and shape, and with matching visor to Soundwave and Buzzsaw was now perched upon him. She differed to Buzzsaw only only in color, with red highlights instead of yellow. Her head was ducked slightly.

“That's Laserbeak. She's shy.” Buzzsaw explained. Laserbeak lifted her head at her brother, seemingly annoyed but said nothing.

Shockwave nodded at her respectfully and turned his attention to Buzzsaw. “I remember you; you're a difficult cyberbird to forget.” Ravage laughed out loud at that.

Buzzsaw grinned. “Youre saying I'm memorable.”

“Or annoying,” Laserbeak muttered quietly.

Buzzsaw was cut off from any potential sassy reply by the approach of two mechs with large aerial wings adorning their backs. Shockwave looked at them in slight remembrance. He once had wings. His back strut hurt with phantom pain of where they had once been attached. He pushed the thought from his mind.

“Is this the scientist we have heard rumor about?” The blue aerial asked.

“Hmm didn't realize he was an empurata bot,” The purple aerial’s mouth plate curled up with disgust.

“What of it?” Buzzsaw's jovial tone was replaced with a hard edge of defensiveness. Shockwave eyed him. Ravage stood at his pedes on all fours, back arched in tension.

“Please I am just-” Shockwave's monotone reply was drowned out by the blue aerial once again.

“It's just expected that the freak would hang out with the freaks,” The blue mech smirked down at the cybercat, who looked ready to lunge at any second.

The purple mech clapped her hands together with a seeming death wish, “It makes sense Soundwave would take in this sad state of a mech, he's the king of all freaks,” she laughed, the sound echoing all around Shockwave's audials. Buzzsaw swooped. Ravage lunged. The purple mech was fading from view in a swirl of cyan energy and with a popping noise she disappeared completely. “Another Outlier!” Thought Shockwave. The blue mech was running as Ravage and Buzzsaw pursued.

Shockwave thought to follow but the cyberbird on his other shoulder pad was shaking slightly. Shockwave raised a digit to her in invitation and Laserbeak nuzzled it softly. “That's Thundercracker and Skywarp,” she said quietly. “Skywarp can teleport.”

Shockwave had many questions about that, but he turned his thoughts toward Laserbeak. “You are all very loyal towards Soundwave.” It wasn’t intended as a question or a push for more information but still, Laserbeak thought for a few moments.

“He is our Carrier,” she finally admitted. Shockwave's processor stuttered. Carrier? Carrier?

Without even stopping to consider if it was an appropriate question he asked, “Who is the Sire?” Almost incredulous, like he didn't believe it.

Laserbeak shook her head. “Buzzsaw and I don't know who our Sire is. I don't think Ravage does either.” Shockwave’s processor was spinning. He was adding to a list of facts he knew about Soundwave

-Outlier
(Ability able to affect the processor in some, currently unknown way)
-Second in command
-Security Chief
-Cassette-former
-Carrier to three cassettes

“Don-dont ask Soundwave about it. He doesn't like talking about the carriages.” Laserbeak pleaded, almost desperately. Shockwave nodded at her. Laserbeak relaxed.

“Why tell me at all?” Shockwave could not imagine how revealing this information to him benefitted the cyberbird in any way.

Laserbeak took a minute to answer. “You are smart. Ravage says you seek knowledge. You would have found out sooner or later.” Laserbeak's visor dimmed. “Many in the coalition don't know. They assume we are Soundwave's pets, refusing to learn anything more.” Laserbeak had spit out the word pets bitterly, bristling her feathers to try to regain her composure.

“They are foolish.” Shockwave turned his optic to Laserbeak best he could with her perched on his shoulder. “All three of you are clearly intelligent.” He said firmly. Laserbeak’s visor brightened.

Ravage and Buzzsaw returned. When Shockwave looked over the railing he could see Thundercracker limping a bit towards Skywarp who was hiding in a corner. He could see fang marks clearly adorning his leg. Ravage looked pleased with herself.

Shockwave made his way around the room. He interviewed all the subjects there, asking about their strengths, abilities, and weaknesses to get a gauge of what inventions would be useful to add to their artillery. Some regarded him warily either because of the protective trio of beast-formers around him or because of his nature as an empurata bot. The other aerials in the room refused to speak to him, probably because of the Ravage incident. The triple changers, Blitzwing and Astrotrain spoke kindly to him and he took the opportunity to ask them extensively about their transformation into both ground and flying machines. The green group of Constructicons, as they called themselves, asked him extensive questions about Hook. Their brother, apparently, who had been stuck in the medbay away from them for a bit. He was intrigued by a group bond of six sparks and tried to ask them a few questions in turn, but they knew little about it. He was particularly uncomfortable by the hard way Bludgeon stared at him when they spoke and the way he touched a servo to his chest when he took his leave. One of the grounders, Breakdown, was actually friendly enough with Ravage to allow him to stroke her back, though he looked warily at Shockwave.

By the end he was exhausted and none of them had been nearly as interesting as Soundwave and the compatriots that he had gathered around him.

……………….

Ravage was a table away from Shockwave while he worked in the laboratory. He would never allow her on the workstation he was actually working on for safety reasons. But when she wished to speak to him or be close to him while he worked she would often take up residence on the table nearby. Ravage lazily watched him work, head down on the table, body fully relaxed, tail swishing idly. If Shockwave had the mouth to smile he would have.

“How goes the reading?” He asked. She had been taking his datapad for over a decacycle now. Surely she must be well read enough by now to have some thoughts on the scientific contents that lie within.

Ravage's ears flattened on her head and her optical ridges creased. When Shockwave noticed he put his tool down.

“I have only been reading the fiction novels,” She admitted.

Ah. He should have expected as much. She hadn't really taken up any interest in the scientific aspects of his work. Though she seemed to like to watch the methodical nature of it when he worked. “You say this like it is an issue.”

Ravage raised her head but avoided Shockwave’ optics. “I thought you would be disappointed.”

Shockwave looked at her, optic burning a bit brighter. Ravage had been learning to pick up his nearly imperceptible em field a bit better, but in this instance it blared surprise.

“On the contrary. Knowledge is knowledge. All reading is beneficial.”

Ravage chuckled. “I don't know that Cybertronian romance novels count as knowledge.”

Shockwave stared at her. “There's romance novels on there?”

Ravage nodded. “Many, among other genres.”

Shockwave pushed whatever implications that might imply about his former self away.

“Regardless, you now have a branch of study that I do not fully grasp in this form. That is a benefit. If you enjoy it, that is doubly beneficial.” Shockwave picked up a tool to continue his work.

“You’re saying I'm smarter than you.” Ravage said, a mischievous glint in her optics.

Shockwave huffed in his trademark chuckle. After a moment the tool stilled in his servo. Ravage waited.

“Why do you remain?” He asked in his monotone.

Ravage thought for a moment. “I think you would die of boredom if I wasn't around.”

Shockwave huffed again in laughter.

……………….

Soundwave was no closer to any results in his personal investigations regarding Shockwave. Though Ravage remained in his lab nearly every cycle she would come to the habsuite every night with updates about Cybertronians holding each other close, daring escapes, swashbuckling action, and heart wrenching death scenes. He loved that Shockwave had seemingly, unawarely, given Ravage a new love for reading, but it didn't provide him with any new intel regarding his odd resistance to his surface mind-reading abilities.

Even after Laserbeak’s one encounter with him all she said was, “he's nice.” Which is all well and good; she's glad his daughter, who had the hardest time of her cassettes forming any connection to others, found the one-eyed scientist harmless enough to describe him as nice, but it also did not give him much intel.

Ravage knew he was starting to feel frustrated about this over the bond. He was pulsing back mischievousness, which was not unusual for any of his cassettes. He only had himself to blame, he supposed. He had his own mischievous streak.

The joors ticked on. Soundwave checked his chronometer. Odd. It was past his shift. Ravage would usually come to collect him by now. A system they had developed early into Megatronus’ building of the coalition because Soundwave would easily push himself into overworking and under recharging. Ravage would collect him and he would recharge with his cassettes for the night time joors in his habsuite, rising early to ensure security measures never slipped too far behind.

Soundwave thought for a moment. He collected three energon cubes from the dispensary room and made his way to the laboratory.

He entered the door code. As Second in Command and security chief he knew the codes to every door in the Pits. Shockwave looked at him in surprise when he entered. He must have looked silly, balancing two cubes on his forearm and holding one in his servo.

Slightly embarrassed, “I have come to collect my cassette.”

“Oh, was I late? I was just SO absorbed in this chapter.” Ravage looked at him cheekily. “She is definitely going to get a talking to in manners later,” Soundwave thought.

“Ah, is it past shift already?” Shockwave asked, checking at his chronometer. Soundwave guessed he wasn't the only one who relied on Ravage to keep him on schedule and prevent overworking.

“Shockwave: has not consumed his energon portion yet?” Soundwave asked, already knowing the answer. He did not stop at the dispensary room this morning and he had not left his lab all day according to what he had seen the cameras in the monitoring room.

“Ah, no. I was running late this morning,” Shockwave took one of the cubes Soundwave was balancing so he wouldn't have to struggle. “Thank you.” Shockwave said.

Soundwave placed one cube in front of Ravage, who began to lap it up graciously. She pretended to keep reading the data pad but really kept an optic on her Carrier and the scientist.

Soundwave cradled his energon cube awkwardly in both servos. Shockwave stood stiffly with his cube in his single servo.

“Oh Primus! Neither one of these dummies are going to consume their energon,” thought Ravage, internally cringing.

Soundwave finally broke the silent tension. “Shockwave: not going to consume energon?”

Shockwave's audial fins stood unnaturally high, shaking a bit. “I do not have a normal intake.” He said carefully. “Other mechs find my way of fueling disturbing so I often wait until I am alone.”

Soundwave internally palmed his servos to his faceplate. He had his own issues fueling in front of others. Of all the inconsiderate actions he could have taken, he had to give him fuel.

“Soundwave: Will not be disturbed,” he said awkwardly. “Shockwave: should fuel.”

Shockwave’s optic dimmed a bit. “If you insist.” He said, tone a bit resigned. As he pulled at his side port to pull out his intake tube he asked, “Do you not remove your mask in front of others?”

Soundwave froze. He remembered the one piece of intel Ravage had given him on Shockwave: he was annoyingly observant.

Shockwave continued. “If you wish to fuel, I will not look.” He was looking down as he stated it, concentrating on pouring fuel into the narrow hole of his intake tube. It felt strangely intimate to Soundwave. Though Shockwave was not looking at him to see it, he nodded. He took a chair from the table nearby, back facing the purple mech. Ravage jumped on the table to join him, staring daggers at the mech behind him in case he dared lift his head to get a peek at Soundwave's face.

Soundwave raised his cube with shaky digits. With a quiet click sound and a transformation sequence his battle mask retracted. Shockwave heard the click but could feel Ravages’ optics on him so kept his optic to his tubing, even when there was no more energon left to pour. Even when he heard another click and the sounds of a reverse transformation he kept his optic firmly on the tubing. It was only when he felt a servo lightly touch his shoulder pad that he looked up to see Soundwave inches away, mask back into place. Soundwave pressed his digits into Shockwave a little harder and then stepped away. “Ravage,” he called. And then they were gone, leaving Shockwave stunned, shoulder pad burning where Soundwave's digits had grazed.

……………….

“I can't believe you didn't even talk to him.” Ravage complained.

Soundwave offlined his optics for a moment. They were safely in their habsuite and he had removed his visor and mask. He sat at the edge of the berth, speaking to the cybercat sat on the floor. Onlining his optics, “Ravage: planned encounter.” He gave Ravage his best disappointed, Carrier frown.

Ravage stood firm. “I saw an opportunity.” She continued, insistent, “You're obviously interested in the mech, and he has some weird fascination with you, but you were never going to make a move!”

A move? Soundwave’s processor stalled. “Soundwave's interest: purely academic,” he said.

Ravage scoffed. “Sure.” She looked at the twin birds in their perches. “Help me out here you two.”

“I'm staying out of this one,” Buzzsaw said, preening his feathers.

Laserbeak stared right at Soundwave from his position on the top nest. Optics bright red, unobscured by a visor, they seemed to stare straight into his spark. “You like him,” she decided.

Soundwave made a clicking noise with his voice box.

“Ravage: reading too many romance novels.”

Ravage offlined his optics. When he online them again he had a look in them that didn't seem like he was going to drop the subject. He surprised Soundwave by accepting it, “Yeah, ok Boss. Whatever you say.”

Soundwave picked her up gently and pulled her close to him as he laid down on the berth. “Cassettes: Soundwave’s only priority.”

“What about Megatronus?” Buzzsaw said softly.

“Megatronus' collation: a benefit to cassettes.” Soundwave explained. “We argue for equal rights for all Cybertronians, including beast-formers,” He said firmly.

“Prioritizing us doesn't mean you can't have things outside of us,” Ravage argued. “You and Shockwave are similar in a lot of ways. You would get along.”

“Soundwave: gets along fine with Shockwave. Shockwave: benefits the cause.”

“That's not what I mean,” Ravage sighs. “I just want you to be happy, Carrier.” Soundwave snuggles his eldest daughter close.

“Soundwave: is happy.”