Numbers; Increased
Airachnid’s Quarters, The Nemesis
Soundwave and Airachnid were looking over the data that the two of them had collected as a member of The DSS and as a Auto–Hunter to find out more about the one known as Trochia, Soundwave promising a favor which she almost never did, it was the usual, a member of The Diplomatic Corps, mostly working with planetary observation and if need be, rescue operations, the usual for fake spiel.
But as they looked at theFile from their RUMINT, there was way more, according to her Hall File, she was The Cannon, what was originally thought to be a Autobot Weapon but turned out to be a Cybertronian of unknown origins, according to some data that they had found from The Big Conversation, she was durable, Warriors Elite Durable and had been in some of their most recent bloody battles.
Apparently she had faced off against Sixshot and had survived whole, not winning but surviving fully intact, it was strange to say the least how The DSS had almost nothing on her, it mostly talked about the Diplomatic, but it was strange, “It’s odd,” Airachnid had said to her, “But what’s even odder is that you’re interested in them.” She had thought, “Should we tell–”“NO!” She shouted before collecting herself.
“She isn’t always friendly and if it gets spread to someone who’ll take advantage, there’s no telling…” she started before turning to Airachnid, “She’s a threat, we need to know if we need to terminate her.” She had lied before getting a ping, “Soundwave, we have a message from one of our own, identify.” He had said to her, reacting, she had went and searched before finding the signal.
It was Dreadwing, the twin brother of Skyquake, “I’ll see you later.” Soundwave said, heading away from her quarters, worried on how Dreadwing would react to everything that had happened to his brother as well as what kind of revenge he was going to commit when the information was discovered, on the bright side though, an explosives expert of his caliber.
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The Bridge, The Nemesis
Soundwave was by the side of The Decepticon Leader when The Assassin had approached the two of them, “Lord Megatron, I live to serve.” he had said to him, kneeling before Megatron, Adulation. Wonder. Grief. Came from The Armada Captain, “Rise, Dreadwing.” he had said and The Seeker did as much, “Loyalty such as yours is a rare commodity.” He said, Dreadwing and Soundwave in a category with a few others.
“Mine runs deep and true,” he had told him, “Yet it is not loyalty alone that brought me here.” he had said, making Megatron cock his helm, “Oh?” He had asked Dreadwing, “I seek the confirmation of the demise of one whom I considered a brother.” he had said, “Skyquake.” He said and Soundwave felt guilty for not stopping Starscream, “How did you learn of his passing?” Megatron asked.
“My twin and I shared a split Spark.” he said, like many twins that were born on Cybertron instead of a branched Spark, “Our metal but two halves of the same life force.” he said, “Even across the galaxy, I sensed when he emerged from stasis on this planet and when his spark was no more.” Dreadwing said, recalling the pain of his brothers death as if it was just yesterday.
Megatron looked to her for answers and she had went and complied by showing them the footage that she had recorded, “It is true.” he said as she showed them fighting before The Scout Bumblebee had went and killed him, “Skyquake perished at the hands of the Autobots, though not, in fact, under my watch.” he had said as she had paused on Starscream’s smug face plate.
Anger. Fury. Coming from Dreadwing as he had looked at the footage and the one responsible, “Then by the pit, every last Autobot on this accursed world will pay.” He had said to the leader of The Decepticons, “The Autobots WILL for their crime, and many others, how and when I see fit.” Megatron told him, “But master–!” “Conflicting agendas will only result in chaos and failure.” he had wanted.
“You would be wise to remember that, Dreadwing. You are under my command now, and as such, you must follow my lead.” he had instructed of The Bot who had just kept himself from speaking back to their master, “Soundwave, show him to his quarters.” He ordered of her and so, Soundwave moved forward, as she did, the Seeker had followed, “Soundwave, where is my brother buried?” he said to her.
“<Now that has a complicated answer>Knock Out” She had said to him, turning and showing the coordinates there before she had showed him where he was buried at least, “Thank you.” He had said to her, “I will be sure to honor my brother when the deed is done.” He had thought and Soundwave had started to plan on how to tell him what exactly had happened to his body.
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Autobot Outpost Omega–One, Nevada
Bulkhead had found Wheeljack on the top of the base, leaning on his ship thinking, “Jackie, look.” he had said, “Even if it weren't for the humans, we couldn't take on the Cons right now.” he had told her, making Jackie close his optics in irritation, “Screecher, Pyro, Impactor, Rotorstorm, Seaspray all dust.” he said, turning to his oldest friend, “That's what I'm talking about.” Bulkhead told him, “Wreckers are Autobots.” he tried to explain, “There just aren't that many of us left.”
“But if we get behind Optimus, we have a chance to end this once and for all.” Bulkhead had told him, but Wheeljack wasn’t convinced, “Guys like Optimus they talk a good game, but when you're in the scrap, they don't want to get their hands dirty.” he had argued, referring to Mags, “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Bulkhead said, “You don’t know Optimus like I do.” he said, knowing it’s been a long while since they’ve teamed up.
“Being a Wrecker meant everything to me, but I left that behind.” He had said to him, “Because Prime was the real thing blah, blah, blah.” he said, having served under both Sentinel and Zeta and neither one were worth his respect when there was a beeping from The Jackhammer before the comms opened up, “Wheeljack, I know you're out there, listening. I have a proposition for you.” The Seeker said.
Wheeljack entered his vessel with Bulkhead close behind, “Is that–?” “Dreadwing.” Wheeljack told his friend as coordinates were sent to them, “Meet me at these coordinates if you have the Spark.” he had threatened which made Wheeljack spoke and made Bulkhead concerned, “I'll see you there, Con, just to watch you fry.” Wheeljack had said to himself as he went to his seat.
“Jackie, it’s a trap.” Bulkhead had warned, “I know, but when has that ever stopped me?” Wheeljack had asked of Bulkhead as he started the engines, “You coming with?” he had asked him, Bulkhead had went and took a seat, “At least let me call for backup.” he had said, making Wheeljack internally chuckle at that, “You know Wreckers don’t call for backup.” he said before they spoke up in unison.
“They call for clean–up!” they had told each other, clasping their servos before they lifted off and started to fly away, “What do you think Screecher would say if she were still around?” Bulkhead had asked, “Isn’t it obvious?” Wheeljack said with a chuckle, “‘You guys went to hunt down an assassin and didn’t ask me to JOIN’?!” he said in his best impersonation of her, making the two of them chuckle.
The little sister that they had was a lot like Miko, she was vocal, independent and ready to fight for those that she loved, “Why do you ask?” Wheeljack had asked, “I met someone in the Diplomatic Corps, Trochia of Darkmount,” Bulkhead had told him, “She looked like a Grimlock sized version of Screecher and I remembered that thing that Soundwave did to Ratbat.” he had told Wheeljack.
That made him curious, “So I was thinking, if he could do that then maybe he got to Screechers Spark and did what he did with Megatron with a Protoform and…” “Huh.” Wheeljack said, checking the science in his helm before speaking, “Maybe,” he told his friend, “But it would have had to be very recent after the death.” Wheeljack said, the two of them both curious and interested in the fact she might be alive in some form.
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The Bridge, The Nemesis
Soundwave was at her station, watching as Dreadwing and Wheeljack faced off against each other, the two of them, she didn’t want to hear any of this and decided to keep the audio off as they faced off before eventually, the two of them had thrown an explosive at the same time, the explosion knocking the two of them backwards before Wheeljack charged forward with his swords drawn, leaping up to kill.
But thankfully, Dreadwing had backed away in time, avoiding the crossed blades, Dreadwing went and ran away, luring Wheeljack towards his trap and Wheeljack foolishly followed him down the small valley, as The Wrecker chased him, Dreadwing had went and activated the detonator, making the explosives go off but Wheeljack barely avoided the first and was stopped by the second for a moment.
Eventually Dreadwing had found himself in a dead end as Wheeljack approached which was when she noticed that Bulkhead had his weapons aimed from up above, covering a possible escape, but he just gave a grin as the bomb underneath the ledge Bulkhead was on went off, making him fall down and distracting the two, covering them in rubble as Dreadwing transformed and flew out, looking down at his victory.
She didn’t know who to root for as Dreadwing had left, with a hostage, that had made her keep restrained as she went and opened up a bridge for the second phase of his trap, on one servo, she didn’t want to be responsible for his death, but on the other, they were in war, friends on opposite sides were not given the luxury of sparing them, so she had resolved herself for what she may be responsible for.
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Optimus Prime and Wheeljack had approached the shipping yard that Dreadwing had decided upon, following the tracker that was most likely on Bulkhead before eventually the two of them had found themselves before a restrained Bulkhead who had a bomb attached to himself, the two bots were not tense and careful as Wheeljack went to hopefully defuse it if they were lucky.
“Soundwave, open a channel to Dreadwing.” Megatron said, unaware that she was assisting him, she complied and opened it for him, “Dreadwing, where are you?” he had demanded of the assassin, “Merely pursuing my destiny, Lord Megatron.” He responded, Anger. Came from Megatron in turn, “Did I not order you to stand down?” He asked him, furious at the act of rebellion.
“Forgive me, one true master,” Dreadwing said to him, “But it is my hope that vanquishing Optimus Prime will earn your respect.” He had said, making Soundwave roll her poptics at another would be assassin of The Prime, “Optimus is not so easily disposed of, as I keep trying to explain to all of those who foolishly attempt it.” he had said, Soundwave knew too after the few she sent after him.
The two of them tired at the attempts right about now as Dreadwing spoke once more, “I assure you, master, in but a few moments, Optimus and two others will be blown to atoms.” He told them and that had interested both Soundwave and Megatron, The Decepticon leader looked to her who nodded before he responded to The Seeker and the plan he had created.
“I will allow it, Dreadwing, in memory of your departed twin, but only this once.” he had said to The Decepticon before hanging it up, turning back to her, “I will be quite surprised if we ever set eyes upon Dreadwing again.” Megatron told her, and she could not fault him for that as Soundwave went to go and check up on her other reports, the galaxy still spinning even as they fought.
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Soundwave was looking over her data, planning to head on over to Namibia once more to speak to Thundercracker when she had received a signal from Dreadwing a request to be Bridged back to The Nemesis, Soundwave had went and done as much, opening a Bridge on the top of The Vessel, reacting to this, she had informed their master as well as the life signals that weren’t terminated.
Irritation. “I am not surprised by his failure, but his survival on the other hand…” he told Soundwave and she agreed as Dreadwing had come in, looking battered and bruised right about now, “Optimus Prime still lives.” Megatron said as he turned to face The Seeker, “As do you, Dreadwing.” he had said to him, “And that is a victory however small, as Skyquake so tragically discovered.” he said to him.
This made Dreadwing look up, no longer bowing his helm to look Megatron in the optics, “Speak to me not of my twin, Lord Megatron, for I am here on Earth to obey your will and yours alone.” surprising both Megatron and her for a moment before they grew satisfied at the growing numbers that they had right now, “Soundwave, make sure that he had the proper clearance.” he had ordered.
Hearing that, Soundwave started to walk towards the exit before turning her helm towards him, “<Follow me.>Starscream” She had said to him, making Dreadwing follow her, “It is an honor to work with you once more, Soundwave.” He had said to her, remembering how the four of them were a team, the twins, Soundwave and Deadlock, pulling out the symbol of Primus, “Tell me, do you still pray to The Five?” he asked.
She nodded at that, still giving thanks to the Necrobot and the god he represented, Relief. Came from Dreadwing, “Then may I join you in prayer some day?” Dreadwing had asked of her, she was about to tell him yes when she noticed that there was a Eukarian approaching them, “Ah, Dreadwing, I heard you were joining our merry band.” Airachnid said to him, “Airachnid.” Dreadwing said with a nod.
“COMMANDER Airachnid.” she said with a smile, “Soundwave, have you shown him the arm yet?” she asked her, making Soundwave glare towards her, “What arm?” Dreadwing had asked, “Skyquake’s arm.” Airachnid had told him, “Whatever had happened to his body seems to have mutated and made him one of The Sparkless.” she had said to him, Rage. Fury. Shock. “What?” he had asked.
“You didn’t know, did you?” she asked, interested in the fact Soundwave would hide something like that which was when he turned to her, “I want to see it.” he had said, hearing that, Soundwave looked to him before nodding, the three of them heading to the container that had kept it in check, it already shaking as she had went and unlocked it to reveal the clear container which held it.
The servo was thrashing, attempting to smash or scratch its way out of the container as she lifted it up, Interest. Coming from Airachnid while Shock. Grief. Came from Dreadwing, “May… May I hold it?” He had asked of her, Soundwave had lifted it up and gently as possible, gave it to him, Dreadwing clenched the offered limb wightly, kneeling down in grief at the loss of his other half.
“Thank you/Thank you.” He had said to her as the two of them had watched, the three bots there all together for now as they had all made their own plans, Airachnid for her own advancement, Dreadwing for the Honor of himself, his brother and his liege, and Soundwave for the victory of The Decepticons which she was ready to fight and if be, die for just like Skyquake.
Meanwhile, Megatron was considering his plans, he was no fool, he knew that Soundwave and Airachnid were close, they fought and attempted to kill each other, but there was a chance that he would warn her out of some obligation or form of loyalty, so it was best to keep this close and Soundwave distant until he had someone just as loyal deal with the traitorous femme.
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Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Wheeljack was following through on a trace, “Tell no one.” Was what was imbedded into it and that made him curious as he looked around at everything that was there before he heard something, it was a controlled descent of a Flyer, making him raise his weapons up, ready to take out whoever it was when he saw the B–2 Stealth Bomber land before transforming.
Wheeljack looked up a little surprised by her features but also her size, “You’re–” “Big? Come up with something original buddy.” Trochia had told him, making Wheeljack chuckle, “Trochia of Darkmount?” Wheeljack had asked her, “Yup,” She said, “And I know you, Wheeljack, your record precedes you.” she had said to him, offering her servo, he took it with a smile.
“So, why’d you call me?” Wheeljack said, “Why aren’t you with Bulkhead and his team?” Wheeljack said before seeing the white Autobrand, “You’re a Dip?” he had asked of her, on guard right now, “And you’re a Wrecker.” she snarked back, “But we both like to mess with Cons.” she had said, making him raise an optic ridge, “So, what? You want to team up, work under Optimus’s nose?” he had asked.
“Exactly,” she told him, “I work for Prowl–” “Ughhh!” he had went, making her chuckle, used to the reaction, “And I bet the two of us could pull some serious Wetwork without them being the wiser.” she had told him with a grin, Wheeljack looked at her, considering what she was saying, “We go after The Cons operations?” he asked her, “Yup, specifically Soundwave.” Trochia had told him.
That made him nod, “I can do that.” he told her with a smile, the two of them grinning and that was when Wheeljack saw it again, “You know who you look like?” Wheeljack had asked of her, “Megatron? I heard that too.” she said, hating that, “Wait, really?” Wheeljack had asked her, “Yeah,” she said a little confused, “It’s the size, the temper and how I leave none of my enemies alive.” she told him.
That had surprised the Wrecker who was starting to see it now but it was only in the background, “Who do you think I look like?” she had asked of him, curious now, “Screecher of… Frag, she never told me where.” he had said to her, “Huh, Bulkhead mentioned her.” Trochia said, “Hold on, I got a picture.” he had said, pulling it out from his datapad and showed it towards her which made her curious.
Trochia had looked towards it and was a little surprised, it was of Wheeljack and Bulkhead with Breakdown, The Femme in question, Screecher, smiling and laughing as she had Wheeljack in a helmlock, a Yellow Buzzard Beast–Type on her shoulder plate and making her curious, “She was a Wrecker like us, one of Kup’s Protege and the only femme I could never beat.” he said to her, smiling.
“Probably cause of that Telepathy.” Trochia had said, recalling how Bulkhead said she was an Outlier with it, “Probably.” Wheeljack had said, “Sounds cool, weird I never heard of her.” Trochia said, updated on all current Wreckers and she would know if there was a fun sized version of her running around and Wreckering things up somewhere, “She's dead.” he had told her, sad at the memory.
“She was playing Spy in Soundwave’s camp.” Wheeljack told her, “And Soundwave murdered her?” she had asked, disliking her even more if he was responsible for killing such an asset, “Nah, she was executed by Scorponok when he was in charge,” he told her, still remembering their pact, “Kup found her in The Starsreach Spaceport after the massacre.” he told her.
“Wow, I can’t even imagine how Prowl would have reacted if it was me.” Trochia had said to him, making Wheeljack chuckle, “Knowing that afthole, he’d probably set up a contract on your killer with video proof.” Trochia said to him, making the two of them nod at that, “So, where first?” Wheeljack asked, liking her vibe and thinking that she’d be fun to frag cons with.
“There’s plenty.” she had told him, making a map appear, the two of them looking it over with interest before they had decided upon a location for them to deal with Con operations, “Alright kid, let’s Wreck and Rule.” he had said to her, hearing that, the two of them had gotten onto The Jackhammer, the two of them getting ready for their little crusade as it were.
The two of them, The Autobots, and everyone else, was unaware as there was a awakening, the scout had been sent out, started to smell around now, feeling the two of them there, the scout had started to climb from the cave, they were the first, and as soon as they made contact, more would come for their Hive and their Queen.