typingblind:

xxxsoundwavexxx:

st3v3-the-eradicon:

No longer seeing a threat in bringing them back to Polyplex, Steve calls out his agreement—the septet waiting for Megatron and the others to cross the distance between them before carrying on in the same direction they came from.  In retrospect, not the best way to approach an enemy if they didn’t want to give away the general direction of their base.  But doubling around before would have cost them time they didn’t know if they had.  

By the time Megatron and his fellows are within casual speaking distance, Steve is absolutely beaming.  And it’s then he notices the look of amusement on his master’s face and realizes his own face is uncovered, as are those of over half his group.  Scrap.  He’d let everyone get lax with the regulatory uniform.  The vehicon turns his optics away sheepishly and whips around to lead to their complex.  It’s not a long walk.

Only once they’re almost inside the doors of the massive, decrepit looking building does Steve think to comm ahead and put the others at ease.  He onlines the device and holds it up to his mouth.

“Steve to base.  We’re returning with Soundwave, Xander, and Lord Megatron.  Assemble and prepare a welcoming committee.”

Yes prepare a proper welcoming committee for this momentous occasion in the next two kliks.  This is going to go splendidly.

Soundwave follows the lead, though he noticed the exposed faceplates of the soldiers. He nods to a few to still noticed their commanders presence despite the turmult their Leaders return had caused.

Inspecting their surroundings, the azure Spymaster send a message to his Lord that he might call in the others since they already found what they were searching for. 

Shifting his head to the nearest soldier in reach, Soundwave pinged him with a request to explain the situation in their absence. 

Xander follows close behind the commander, trying to remain as inconspicuous as he could. He was here through anonymous magic, and to see to it that their Lord and the Commander reached safety.

Megatron pays no mind to their exposed faceplates for now. It had thrown him off for a moment, perhaps it would even do the same to the Autobots. …No, thinking about them still stung. Did it really affect his damaged spark that much? Damnation, this was going to be irritating. 

“There are two others, still scouting the city. A super soldier and a medic. They have both been vital to my recovery; see to it that they are brought inside as well.”

Taking Soundwave’s cue, the warlord notifies Overlord of their position, summoning the pair to the soldiers’ compound and taking care to warn them of the tiny welcoming committee. 

He watches the lead soldier radio the others with an auxiliary device- Steve. That designation was familiar to him… 

typingblind:

xxxsoundwavexxx:

st3v3-the-eradicon:

Steve’s optics very nearly bug out of his helm, and now he’s infinitely glad that they didn’t raise arms to see their leader back.  There are shocked gasps and yelps looks of disbelief all around him.  Most of the mechs drop to their knees reflexively.  After a moment of internal glee, Steve does so as well, dragging the the last gawker down with him.

“My Lord!  Please forgive us!  I knew not who I was addressing!”

Though in retrospect, he really should have guessed.  But Steve had no idea how or when Lord Megatron would return.  Somehow he’d imagined their leader would descend screeching from the sky in a powerful display.  Not creeping up from the depths of their own underground highway, cloaked in a tattered hood.  That’s what he got for having expectations of the Decepticon leader.

“What is ours is yours, Lord Megatron!  We humbly welcome your return!”

The mechs to his side, picking up on the formality of the occasion, echo the second half of the greeting.  All except the same gawky one from before who’s a half a nano slow on the pickup and tapers off lamely after the rest of them.  

Primus almighty P#1-LL1P, Steve thinks, get with the program.

He watches as their soldiers fall to their knees, muffled sounds of disbelief emitting from their vocals. Well, he couldnt blame them. That Megatron was still alive did qualify as a miracle and Soundwave found himself staring at the walrlord in awe.

That they neither greeted him nor showed any kind of attention did startle the azure Spy, though it was irrelevant.  The only event that mattered was the return of their Leader.

Shifting his helm to the side, Soundwave gave Megatron a mental ping, asking what step would be next and that it would be wiser to leave the open tunnels as soon as possible. The danger of being spotted was still high and it would be a pity if they lost the element of surprise.

Xander had intended on remaining on guard at the back, but found himself on one knee with the other vehicons. He knew he ought to have done it as soon as he’d heard the warlord’s voice the first time, but now seems like the ideal time to observe propriety.

Allowing himself just a moment to indulge in the sight of his soldier’s loyalty, he steps forward, addressing them. 

“Let us not remain in the open where we may be seen. Answers will come once we are in cover. At ease.” He pulls the hood back over his helm. Soundwave was right. It would not do to give away his survival to the Autobots when he has just barely been reunited with his troops.

“Lead the way.”

typingblind:

xxxsoundwavexxx:

st3v3-the-eradicon:

Steve and company slow to a hold half a klik away from their visitors and transform back to root mode.  There’s some nervous muttering and talk of bearing arms in anticipation of attack, but it’s decided it would be best to put on a friendly front….

….for now.

Seven sets of optics stare down the trio in the distance, wary of attack.  Clearing his vocalizer nervously, Steve steps forward to call out to them.  He has to yell to make himself heard properly.

“Halt!  You are trespassing on a Decepticon holding.  Identify yourselves and state your business in coming here, or you will be labeled hostiles!”

Glancing at Xander briefly, Soundwave informed his Lord that they were being observed. It was obvious, judging from the many EM fields approaching them. But, that was exactly what Megatron wanted.

Finally, they were approached. It seems their soldier decided to make contact. Upon being called out, Soundwave took one step forward, letting his biolights flash in a familiar gesture. If this is Decepticon territory, then they are certainly right.

A pleasure to see their troops all well. Now, would Megatron reveal himself already, or would he wait just a little longer?

Xander recognized the voice as Steve’s, but remained silent, fearful of being shot at if he moved forward too fast to reply.

The vehicons line up in their formation, calling out with a threat. The cloaked mech laughs, a loud cackle that echos across the desolate space. They’ve learned so well.

“Trespassing on Decepticon territory… ”

Damn the risk. He reaches up and removes the hood of the cloak. 

“I think you’ll find that impossible.”

typingblind:

xxxsoundwavexxx:

st3v3-the-eradicon:

 

Steve stares at the monitor of the security feed, not quite sure what he’s seeing.  Three mechs, apparently.  One huge one.  Cloaked.  Hooded.  One unmistakable Soundwave  But which one?  Ours?  An alternate?  And…  a vehicon.  Which made Steve’s spark go cold.  Had one of their group not gotten back in and been taken captive?  If that was the case and these mechs weren’t friendly….  whoever that was could compromise them.  Which is why Steve puts his team on immediate duty trying to identify the eradicon.  The answer he gets back only perplexes him further.

“Not one of ours.  The roll was taken and everyone checked off.  No one’s gone in or out since the building was secured.”

Steve growls and checks the grainy security feed again, wishing they had a higher resolution picture to consult.  The Soundwave and vehicon were probably friendlies…  He just wishes he knew the identity of that third, enormous mech.

“We have to make contact,” he sighs at last.  "They’re headed this way.  We can assume we’ll be found at this rate.“  The three mechs were traveling their well-worn route from the mine to the complex.  They’d no doubt spotted tracks.  Found traces of habitation.  They were given away.

"We’ll send a small group to meet them outside.  Determine their allegiance.  If we don’t know whether they’re friendly, we’re best not to give them entrance.  At least not until we’re sure.”

After a quick confirmation from Starscream who agreed to stay and call the shots from the inside, Steve rounds up a small posse and drives out to the reception grounds.

Still walking next ot his Lord, Soundwave noticed as well that the Scraplets pattern was off. So, they werent going to attack them? Weird.

 He suspected as well that it was because of the Dark Energon, but then why didnt they attack Xander?

Scanning the little creatures, Soundwave soon noticed that they were made, probably to scare off unwanted intruders. So, continue?

Apparently Megatron gave the command to move forward, which they did. As they passed, the azure Spymaster noticed the cameras but said nothing. Hopefully one of their soldiers would recognize them.

Xander, who’d been quiet this whole time, followed the pedesteps of his superiors, unsure of their location, or of anything, at this point. His sensors pinged with warnings at the sounds of Scraplets, but the command he’d been given made him ignore the noises.

He remains quiet, bringing up the rear.

Ahead was a tall tower, belonging to the former Sledgestorm Enterprises. Megatron recognized the building and the ancient company, although it was boarded up now. For some reason, it almost made him feel like laughing.

Movement catches his attention. A few cars, vehicons, driving towards them. His jagged grin widens in the shadow of his hood as the warrior stops and waits for them to come nearer.