I'm not part of your machine... | Transformers Prime | Soundwave Centric

13 - She's Gonna Be a Lot Like Me, But I Don't Want to Be At All Like Me

Optimus trailed after the two, though stopping when he saw Arcee, Bulkhead, Raf, and Miko staring at Soundwave. The four watching the spy get scolded by their medic for showing up with no warning with certain nervousness and curiosity that Optimus didn't know how to address.

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Soundwave watched Ratchet move about them, feeling distressed by the amount of things going on. Ratchet took their vitals and attempted to get their running baseline down in their system. Optimus, on the other servo, tried to corral the others away from the area, the others staring and whispering to each other with words they couldn't recognize.

Ratchet turned to them saying something that didn't quite make sense to their processor, eventually, Ratchet came through to them, "Soundwave? Are you okay?" he asked them in Kaon.

Soundwave looked directly at Ratchet this time, slowly nodding. Mumbling out in the same language, "Soundwave: Satus Fine."

Ratchet nodded, "Would talking be easier in Kaonian for the moment? You weren't responding when I was talking to you in English." He looked questioningly at the spy.

Soundwave paused-- they knew both languages, but-- They didn't need to dwell on that and nodded. They needed to focus on something.

Rachet nodded, "Well, then. How about that little one you have? Would it be okay if I check them too?"

Soundwave put their servos to their chest where Laserbeak rested... feeling skeptical about it. Fear still lay deep within them about her well-being. Making their decision, they shook their head.

Ratchet nodded in understanding, "That's alright. We can--"

Soundwave unknowingly tuned out, glancing around the base. It felt bright and warm like some type of care was baked into the walls and steel that made the shelter. Lived in and full. Not as empty and cold as the Nemesis was. It was overwhelming to them, almost claustrophobic, further panic setting deep in their frame like an old friend in the foreign environment.

They glanced at Ratchet who still stood talking to them. They stood up from where they had been sat down. Ratchet continued to talk to them, questioning them about what they were doing. Soundwave just shook their head and left the area, distress radiating off of them as they left the main room in search of a hiding spot.

Ratchet glanced at Optimus, both of them unsure what to do with the distressed bot.

Meanwhile, Soundwave found a dim, corner nook they could sit in. And that's what they did, panic developing into unregulated cooling fans, venting, and quietly tapping at the floor to attempt to calm themselves.

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Ratchet and Optimus Stood together nervously thinking. Soundwave hadn't come out yet, and they didn't want to risk distressing them further. They themselves weren't sure what happened with Soundwave.

Optimus eventually came up with an idea, sharing it with Ratchet. Ratchet agreed and let Optimus go find Soundwave. And soon, the Prime did.

Seeing the spy curled up between some storage containers and a wall hurt Optimus deeply. "Soundwave? Are you alright?"

Soundwave jumped at Optimus's voice, their servos moving almost immediately to cover their audials. 

"Ah, apologies, friend..." Optimus made the effort to speak softer, at a much lower volume at the reaction. He kneeled down in front of Soundwave, "Is everything okay?"