Error

It wasn't uncommon for Shockwave to feel pain through the amica bond he shared with Soundwave. Less common than hearing Starscream's pleas for mercy, but often enough. Especially when Starscream wasn't around, or was already hurt and Megatron needed another living, breathing target for his ire.

But this pain was different. Soundwave mutely endured everything Megatron threw at him, saving his tears for Shockwave's embrace in the cold hours of the night. But now, raw, deep pain cut through the bond, followed by silent pleading. I'm sorry/forgive me/I'm not strong enough/someone help me, anyone! 

Shockwave's decision was immediate. Whatever was going on, he needed to interfere. Logically, whatever was causing the Chief Intelligence Officer such pain was a threat to the Decepticon cause. So he put down his tools without a second thought and stomped out of the lab. He followed the bond unerringly, sending verbal reassurance. I am coming. Be strong.

No! You'll get hurt! Stay away…but Soundwave's words dissolved unconvincingly into sobs, and Shockwave marched on. 

He barely registered that it was Megatron's berthroom door that he tore open with little effort. The Nemesis was made of paper, if an angry conjunx was barreling through it. Error.

Megatron stared at him, frozen in shock as he kneeled in his massive berth. Soundwave was folded over in front of him, arms forced behind his back, face smothered by rumpled thermals. A low moan of pain filtered through the thermals, and Shockwave was galvanized back into action. “Let him go,” he growled, aiming his massive cannon right at Megatron’s head for the first time in his life. Error.

“This doesn't concern you, Shockwave. Leave us.” Megatron said warningly, shifting his hips. Another hiss from Soundwave.

The cannon whined, energy swirling inside the barrel. “I said LET HIM GO.”

“Or what? Or nothing. I am your lord. Get out.” And, utterly unconcerned, he continued like Shockwave wasn't there, like he would leave and pretend he'd seen nothing.

In another age, he would have.

In another age, he would not have even come here.

But he loved Soundwave, and Soundwave was hurt. 

ERROR],,!*&y(*^;;

And so he fired his cannon point-blank directly into Megatron's head.

Of course, one blast did almost nothing permanent to the heavily armored warlord, but he was slammed against the wall by the force of the shot, and Shockwave was grabbing Soundwave by the waist and sprinting away as fast as his heavy, clumsy legs could take him. 

Megatron roared behind him, and a returning shot scorched past his left audial. 

Threat analysis: Red.

Retreat: imperative.

Escape: 10% chance.

He flung himself through corridor after corridor, dodging shots, sometimes blindly firing behind him, rarely getting a roar of indignation for his efforts.

He took random elevators and maintenance halls, until he stopped in a very dusty closet. His vents were burning, heaving with the effort of activity he quite literally wasn't made for, and he leaned against the wall, holding Soundwave close.

Soundwave? Are you hurt? he sent through the bond with as much concern as his broken processor could muster. Error.

Soundwave: will live, came the weak reply, tinged with overwhelming pain.