"Grrrr." The low, threatening growl reverberated off
the tunnel walls. Ravage's body stiffened and he turned around
slowly, glaring malevolently down the passage that they had just
entered.
"What have you detected, Ravage?" Soundwave inquired
in his harmonious yet emotionless voice.
Although he was unable to speak like traditional Transformers,
Ravage was able to communicate with Soundwave through their shared
mental link. Soundwave nodded slowly. "Autobots."
He focused his audio sensors, the most sophisticated of any Transformer,
and listened closely. What he heard confirmed Ravage's suspicions.
"Man, this place is more depressing than New Kids on the
Block." Soundwave stiffened instinctively. Blaster. He
would recognize that voice anywhere. He summoned his weapon from
subspace. Ravage crouched instinctively, preparing to spring.
"There's nothin' here but.... Uh-oh," Blaster murmured,
rounding the corner and coming face-to-face with the two 'Cons.
"Surrender, Autobot," Soundwave commanded as he took
aim.
Steeljaw growled ominously, glaring at Ravage. Blaster locked
on to his weapon and withdrew it from subspace. "There's
no way you can outclass me, Soundwave. You may have gotten Prime,
but you sure aren't keepin' him."
"Your are incorrect, Autobot," Soundwave informed him.
"You assume that we are responsible for your leader's disappearance."
The two enemies eyed each other suspiciously.
"Come off it, you poor excuse for a sound system,"
Blaster sneered. "If you didn't take Prime, then how'd he
get down here?"
Soundwave's optics glowed a malignant red. "I should think
it was obvious. He encountered the trap door, as I assume you
have discovered. It would appear that Megatron has shared a similar
fate. If the Decepticons had kidnapped your leader, we would
have ransomed him, not left him in the tunnels where he would
be useless to us. And Megatron would not allow Starscream to
command had he been available to prevent it. You are certainly
welcome to a battle, Autobot, but you should at least attack for
the right reasons."
There was an moment of silence, which seemed to last for an eternity,
each Transformer poised to attack. Finally Blaster spoke. "I
must have glitches in my cerebro circuitry, because I believe
you." Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he began to lower his
weapon until it was pointed towards the ground.
Unlike some of the more headstrong Decepticons, Soundwave did
not actively seek violence. His weapon disappeared into subspace.
"Ravage, desist," he commanded. With a final growl,
Ravage backed away and slunk behind his master's legs, glaring
at the Autobots.
Soundwave stared at Blaster expectantly. "I don't believe
this is happening," Blaster muttered as he gestured to Steeljaw
to stand down.
"Now then," Soundwave stated, "I believe a temporary
truce would benefit both sides."
Blaster ran several diagnostic checks on his audio sensors.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. A 'Con asking for a
truce? But they were all war-mongering, power-hungry tyrants,
or at least that's what he had believed for so long. And Soundwave,
the one he had tried to thwart in every battle, to jam the 'Cons'
communications while keeping the Autobots' com lines open, was
proposing it. Something was terribly wrong here -- something
that could make Blaster question the entire meaning behind the
war.
Blaster shoved his growing doubts aside. "Agreed, but don't
think I'm taking my optic sensors off you, Soundwave. I know
better than to trust a slimy 'Con."
Although he knew it was impossible, he could have sworn that
Soundwave was smiling in amusement. "Agreed, Autobot,"
Soundwave announced in his expressionless voice that never failed
to rattle Blaster. No being should have a voice like that, he
decided. It was just too creepy.
Soundwave gestured to the two cassettes. "Steeljaw and
Ravage should take the lead, each following the trail of our respective
leaders. Should the trails branch apart and we become separated,
you may utilize this to home in on our location." He handed
Blaster a small, palm-sized device.
"What are we standing around for?" Blaster asked.
"Let's get moving!"
* * * * *
"Why?"
The single word shattered the uncomfortable, overbearing silence
that had surrounded the two Transformers.
Megatron looked blankly at his companion. "Why what?"
"Why do you feel the need to steal energy and conquer the
galaxy?" The question had plagued Optimus Prime for nine
million years. Of course, he knew the surface explanations, that
the Decepticons were greedy and power-hungry, but somehow he didn't
believe it. At times he had seen a glimmer of methodical intelligence
in Megatron, a hint that his foe was not acting out of blind avarice,
but had a larger goal in mind. Somehow this worried him even
more.
Megatron looked surprised at the question. "It is our destiny,
of course. The Decepticons were meant to rule the galaxy."
Prime looked unconvinced. "But how do you know that? Did
an Earthen fairy come to you in your recharge mode and tell you?"
Megatron had to forcibly tell himself to relax. He allowed his
clenched fists to open. "If that is some kind of a joke,
Prime, it isn't very funny. It is quite obvious that the Decepticons
were meant to rule. Through our efforts, we will achieve peace
through tyranny. There are so many who cannot care for themselves,
who lack the vision to grow. Through our rule, they will come
to prosper and thrive in the Decepticon empire that will spread
throughout the galaxy."
"I don't believe I'm hearing this," Prime said, to
himself as much as to Megatron. "You can't possibly believe
that you would bring prosperity to Cybertron and the universe
through domination. Freedom is the right of ALL sentient beings,
Megatron. They may not grow and prosper in the way that you'd
like, but that is their choice, and you cannot force them to change."
Megatron shook his head. "You refuse to see the truth.
Just look around you, see all the suffering that is occurring
right before your optics. Not only are the Autobots suffering,
but the neutrals are suffering too. If you would only surrender
to us and allow us to conquer the galaxy, all would become one
under Decepticon rule. No one would fight in my empire. There
would be plenty of energon, and Cybertron would return to its
once powerful and glorious state. The universe would thrive and
strive to better itself using our ideals and our drive. There
would be peace, Prime. Isn't that what you want?"
"No," Prime said slowly, clenching his fists. "That
is exactly what I hope never to see. Open your optics and SEE,
Megatron, you are only causing misery and destruction. You are
killing the very ones you hope to nurture and mature."
"But Prime, they are in need of--"
"They are in need of nothing, Megatron! Do you hear me?
They need nothing from you!" Something was happening within
Prime, something that had lain dormant for nine million years,
waiting to be expressed. "I know this for a fact, Megatron.
Before you came, I was happy! I had a life, a job! I had friends,
and the girl of my dreams! Maybe it was a simple life, maybe
I didn't live up to my potential, but I was happy! I was content
to live my life. But then you came. You and your damned Decepticons!
You attacked, you stole our energy, and you tried to kill us!
In essence, you did. You killed me, you killed Ariel, and you
killed our happy life."
Without even realizing it, Prime's voice had risen to a shout,
an impassioned cry. "You ruined my life, Megatron! I have
nothing to look forward to now but a cold and agonizing death,
borne from the mouth of your fusion cannon. That is all that
is left for me. I love my Autobots dearly, but they are smothering
me, taking away what little identity I have left. I take no pleasure
from our victories anymore. The thought of peace holds no meaning
for me anymore. You have killed my spirit as surely as you destroyed
my body those many years ago. I had a life, and you ruined it!
Just like you ruin everything! You tried to kill Alita, simply
because I love her and it would bring me grief. That's all you
know how to do. I hate you, Megatron! I hate what you are, and
I hate what I've become because of you!"
The words hung in the air, seeming to reverberate in the enclosed
space. Chest heaving with emotion, Prime paused for a moment,
looking absolutely shocked at what he'd said. Then he wheeled
about and bolted from the room.
Megatron shook off his shock and amazement and called after him.
"Prime? Where are you going? Prime!"