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Post by Soundwave on Dec 24, 2022 23:51:24 GMT
At first Soundwave thought it was going to just be the usual play of a song and then Starscream play a song, however as he started to play his own song.. that’s when Starscream decided to play one of his own: the same song that he had played earlier. Both songs by Daft Punk, but just as Soundwave tilted his helm in confusion then it dawned on him. How strangely the two songs blended together, almost as if it was intended that way from the start. A duet of sorts, played in tandem to create something new. Something.. Oddly romantic? The mech had no idea where to go with this, somewhat flustered as random audio crackles emitted from his speakers while his Daft Punk song played. What the frag was this feeling? It was nice but strange all the same. He didn’t know what to make of it. As the songs ended, the confused Soundwave listened as yet another song played from Starscream. This time it was another song he wasn’t familiar with, but the lyrics made it painfully obvious that he was indeed flirting. It almost sounded as if he wanted to ‘fix’ the former communications officer. To bring him back to a point of being that mech he used to be back on the council before the war. To mend that spark forever broken by Megatron’s betrayal.. Soundwave looked away as the song finished, flustered and not knowing what to say in the least. Maybe another song, softer than what he’d previously played already. Round and around, and around, and around we go Oh, now, tell me now, tell me now, tell me now, you know.
Not really sure how to feel about it Something in the way you move Makes me feel like I can’t live without you It takes me all the way I want you to stay |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2022 0:32:27 GMT
Starscream thought the stupid metaphorical loading bar in Soundwave's helm had come to a full halt, when he started to play his song in canon. At least he had a clear view of the adorable helm tilt, cocky grin turning to a fond smile. Primus, how adorable was he? Then the loading bar did some amazing progress in one jump. Loading 90% Nearly there. Starscream had been very attentive and the crackling in Soundwave’s song didn’t escape him. He was still staring at the other mech, right in the optics, fond smile still there. Curiosity about the mech's reactions to his last song would entice, burnt through him, and he was not disappointed. It felt like a victory when Soundwave’s helm turned away, smugness taking over. Well, it was a very pleasing reaction. Was the spy… shy? That could explain why he had been totally obtuse to his numerous attempts at flirting. For a moment, Starscream thought he had gone too far, the way Soundwave played a softer song, matching his apparent… shyness? This was all new territory, very exciting to explore but making him nervous the wrong move might end up with him crashing and burning. How glorious it would be. Starscream kept on pushing, curious to see what other delicious reactions he could get out of the spy. Merrily, he played another song, not caring about the audio quality anymore, only intent on making Soundwave react.
Even though I know what I'm lookin' for
She's got a brick wall behind her door
I'd travel time and confess to her
But I'm afraid she'd shoot the messenger
(Surrender) every word, every thought, every sound
(Surrender) every touch, every smile and every frown
(Surrender) all the pain we've endured until now
(Surrender) all the hope that I lost you have found
(Surrender) yourself to me
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Post by Soundwave on Dec 25, 2022 5:29:26 GMT
Despite how he was reacting, it didn’t escape Soundwave that Starscream seemed extraordinarily amused by how this whole thing was going. If this had been some sort of game, it was as if Starscream himself was winning.. but this was no game. Just a simple conversation using music to express their thoughts and feelings in place of their voices. However, things seemed to get stranger and stranger the longer it went on. Starscream was laying it on thick with the flirtatious songs, and the spy had no idea how to respond with these. And the latest addition to those songs only pushed the boundaries further. He didn’t know what to call it. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it felt bizarre. He didn’t enjoy it, but he didn’t hate it either. He did, however, enjoy this strange musical talk. The way that they were actually having a ‘conversation’ without all the one-sided screaming and yelling from the seeker’s end. The more Starscream pushed the non-issue, the more flustered Soundwave grew. Even as the song ended.. he could not think of anything to counter with. For one of the first times in a long time, he was truly speechless. He’d have to resort to returning to his words. If he couldn’t find the right song to play, then what other choice did he have? “CONFIRMATION REQUESTED: HOW DO YOU FEEL WITH YOUR OWN WORDS?” He wanted to hear it. Not with another song, but to hear Starscream say it himself. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2022 14:34:51 GMT
The more this went on, the more Starscream appreciated the exchange. Maybe Soundwave had been after something, this musical speech was delightfully entertaining. Of course, his fun had to be cut short. On one servos, having the Spy use his own voice was delightful and sent a shiver of pleasure up his wings. On the other servos, of course, the spy had to cut his fun short. For a moment, Starscream wondered if Soundwave had only made it through the war because he was the ex-leader's favourite pet. That’s not something he ever considered. Shocked, Starscream started to pace in his cage, processor running at full capacity as he reviewed millennia of battles, looking for any sign that Soundwave was stupid. He did find a few examples of stupidity, but nothing that could constitute as solid proof that the other mech was, indeed, stupid. Or maybe, he was stupid, but not in the traditional sense. Starscream stopped his pacing, and with his back to Soundwave as he processed this. Was it really worth it? Sure flirting and all is fun, it came as second nature to him. Bearing his spark out, was an entirely other ordeal. To do so, surrounded by other Decepticons and G.H.O.S.T. was unthinkable. Soundwave couldn't be that daft. Turning around, Starscream started to laugh. Cruel, wicked, unhinged. It felt like reaching velocity speeds in jet form, second nature. When did he ever made things easy for Soundwave? With a haughty huff, Starscream stomped back to the end of the cell, where he knew he couldn't be seen from next door. The Seeker sat down, off-lined his optics and played another song.
I hate everything about you
Why do I love you?
I hate everything about you
Why do I love you?
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Post by Soundwave on Dec 25, 2022 21:03:12 GMT
Soundwave may not have known how he was feeling, but his feelings were clear as Starscream simply laughed at his inquiry. He felt anger, frustration and disappointment. He hated how Starscream mocked him for his question; his mere request for the seeker to clearly state in his own words just how he felt about the musical mech. It disappointed him that Starscream couldn’t even give him that much of an answer, and instead found it so hilarious that he had to laugh. Growling, he stared at the seeker until he fell out of view, retreating to part of the cell once more so that Soundwave could not see him. It was just like Starscream to play the coward, unless this too was part of his game to frustrate the ever-loving pit out of Soundwave. Before he knew it music was playing again, this time a bit more angrier but the words were curious. Hating everything about someone, but loving them all the same.. Could he not settle for a single answer without making things so confusing? So complicated? The former communications officer crossed his arms, thinking of what to do. Clearly Starscream wasn’t in the mood to talk, so the only options were to ignore him and let him be.. or find another song. One jumped to Soundwave’s processor; One he wouldn’t normally play, but the lyrics had been fitting nonetheless. Between being saddled with unnecessary feelings both nice and irritating, it left the mech in a state of uncertainty. To continue enjoying this and seeing where it went, or to put a stop to it now? Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated? I see the way you're acting like you're somebody else Gets me frustrated Life's like this, you And you fall, and you crawl, and you break And you take what you get, and you turn it into Honesty and promise me I'm never gonna find you faking No, no, no |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2022 22:03:23 GMT
Sulking on the floor was part of his routine, so Starscream felt somewhat relaxed despite his frustration. The situation was more complicated than it seemed, why wasn’t Soundwave getting this? Starscream couldn’t, even in this rather insane state of mind, blurt out his feelings for the ex-TIC. He’d rather rip his spark from its casing and throw it at the sun than admit anything under the watch of G.H.O.S.T. and the Autobots. He was so confused as to why Soundwave couldn’t understand that. Wasn’t he a Spy? Wasn’t it his job to understand things like: you do not disclose that kind of information under enemy lines? Is Soundwave stupid?The uncharacteristically preppy-pop-punk song only made Starscream doubt Soundwave’s sanity even more. He has to be a decoy. A clone maybe? Didn’t Soundwave himself had declared some decoy had been successful? Can’t trust Soundwave. Starscream was so glad he had stayed so vague about his plans, never disclosing her designation or that they had planned to use her sister to get her in safely. All the song that Soundwave played accomplish, was to confirm the Seeker’s suspicions. When the song ended, Starscream stay silent for a long time. He debated going totally silent but the boredom would be so intolerable and would drive him insane quicker than whatever manipulation game was going on right now. So he waited a bit more, wanting to infuriate the Spy or its clone or whatever that was standing next door. Soundwave would never go against Him, Soundwave would not want His death. ‘Ping’ [Starscream: Idiot] The song started to play as Starscream dropped his helm on his knees, trying not to fall into recharge or panic.
They say we are what we are, but we don’t have to be
I’m bad behavior but I do it in the best way
I’ll be the watcher (Watcher) of the eternal flame
I’ll be the guard dog of all your fever dreams
Oh, I am the sand in the bottom half of the hourglass, glass, glass
Oh, I try to picture me without you, but I can’t
'Cause we could be immortals, immortals
Just not for long, for long
And live with me forever now,
pull the blackout curtains down
Just not for long, for long
Sometimes the only payoff for having any faith
Is when it’s tested again and again every day
I’m still comparing your past to my future
It might be your wound, but they’re my sutures
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Post by Soundwave on Dec 26, 2022 2:11:01 GMT
This was not working. All this back and forth musical talk was going nowhere. Just repeated themes and interpreted messages. Starscream would flirt and Soundwave would try to understand and get context, but no matter what he did the seeker resisted. He only continued to send the same message through different songs; different attitudes. It didn’t make any sense to him. Soundwave understood what the message was, but the why? Why was Starscream relentlessly flirting, but not going any further than that? Why hide further in the cell where Soundwave couldn’t see him? Even his last song had done no good as the former air commander played yet another song though this one seemed to be less flirty and more.. sounding like Starscream would be there for him? It was really hard to tell, especially when he was getting so many mixed signals. As the song ended, Soundwave debated about playing another song for a brief moment.. but he decided not to. Talking hadn’t worked. Musical conversations were no longer working. What else could he try? Well.. there was that one audio clip that seemed to perk the seeker up. The one he’d already asked Soundwave to replay once already. Maybe that could get a reaction. Sighing to himself, he played the clip once more. "I WON'T STAND HERE PRETENDING TO BE BETTER THAN THOSE LABORING IN THE MINES AND THE SMELTYARDS. YOU STAND FOR NOTHING NOW, ZETA, EXCEPT DEATH. WHAT IS THE POINT OF YOUR EXISTENCE? AND YOU... YOU WAIT AND MAKE EXCUSES AND DO NOTHING TO KICK HIS USELESS TAILPIPE. THE SYSTEM IS YOUR TYRANT. YOU ARE WEAK. YOU ARE PATHETIC. IT SHAMES ME TO SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO YOUR SELF-JUSTIFYING PRATTLE MONTH ON MONTH. YOU HAVE HAD KILOCYCLES, AND THIS IS ALL YOU HAVE MANAGED. TELL ME, WHAT WILL WE DO?" And again. "RESEARCH, REPORTS... MORE DELAYS. I AM THROUGH TALKING TO YOU. EVERYTHING FALLS ON DEAF AUDIALS. THERE IS NO POINT IN SPEECHES; ONLY ACTIONS COUNT." |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2022 13:32:25 GMT
Whatever ' it' was, it was determined to get something out of the Seeker. What, Starscream couldn't figure out, yet. He was still reeling from his discovery about the decoy, comparing, calculating and readjusting his plans. New priorities: bust out of his cage, hug Nightshroud, kill the decoy, find Soundwave, then tell the real Spy his feelings. For now, the game was over, he didn’t feel like playing it anymore. He really was alone, caged, trapped… Fly, flight, fight, fly, flight, fight, fly, fly.NO ‘Ping’ [Nightshroud: OK?]The Seeker slammed his helm against his knees. The pain centered him for a moment. He was about to slam it, again more forcefully, when he heard something. Starscream did not expect to hear that voice again. His helm snapped up, face plate turning to fix the shadow on the floor of his cage. Primus, how that voice moved him, lit the same fire that burned in him at the beginning of the war, made his spark, yearn for something impossible. Transported him back in the days when he had been naive enough to think a War would fix the injustices of the Cybertronian society. If he had knew sooner, that this was what Soundwave hid underneath his cold exterior, Starscream would have done everything in his power to make the TIC his Conjux, millennia ago. No, Scream, focus. That is NOT Soundwave. Using the spy own tricks against him, Starscream replied in the most neutral voice he could, barely above a whisper as he had did earlier. “CONFIRMATION REQUEST: Denied. Reason: Compromised location.” With that he played another song, not really in the mood for it but wanting to keep up the charade. At least it distracted him front he Call of the Sky.
Here I am where no one found the way in
Brick and stone, this place in me
The cold has taught to close my heart or suffer
But lost at home is strange to me
And I feel so alone
And I need someone
Are you out there?
If you hear me, listen close
I'm sorry
I never meant to lock you out
I hear your still voice calling
But how could you love me now? (Yeah)
And I'd rip my world down to follow the sound
Could you love me now?
Are you out there?
Could you love me now?
Are you out there?
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Post by Soundwave on Dec 26, 2022 18:26:50 GMT
Even Soundwave’s words of the past seemed to have done little to no good, hearing the sounds of banging coming from Starscream’s cell. Just what was he supposed to do? What did he want to hear so badly that he was suddenly turned to vague songs and even vaguer body language. He couldn’t even see the latter of which anymore and was forced to rely solely on audio cues. Just as the banging stopped and all fell silent, he heard the Seeker’s voice again. This time quiet and speaking with mannerisms similar to his own. Starscream would not be giving him his answer, only because the location they now stood in had eyes and ears everywhere. He supposed that made sense, not that it stopped Soundwave from revealing that his being captured had been part of the plan. While all optics were on him, Ravage would slip through the cracks. Soundwave was the decoy, but not in the way the seeker believed. He was the real deal. Once more music played from the other cell, and the lyrics were a bit more clear. It was Starscream’s self-doubt speaking, not feeling worthy of this. Not feeling worthy of the spy. He felt alone and in need of someone. Soundwave sighed quietly to himself as he continued to listen. As the music came to its conclusion, Soundwave tried one more song to see if that would reach him. Just one more. A second chance to give you something It takes a lifetime to come from nothing I refuse to believe in running away No
I am doing the best I can with everything I am Don’t you know nobody’s perfect? Do you understand how hard I’m trying for you?
I am doing the best I can with everything I am Don't you know that I think you’re worth it? Do you understand how hard I’m trying to do The best I can? The best I can |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2022 19:25:00 GMT
In other circumstances, Starscream might have processed that he was being ridiculous, even for his rather out-there self. These were not normal circumstances. The Call of the Sky was driving him half-mad, he had been visited by so many people from his past that had tried to appeal to him, begged him for something or asked the impossible out of him. He felt like he was being tortured and even if it wasn’t the Autobot’s intent, it was working very, very well. Fly, flight, fight, fly, flight, fight, fly, fly.The hollow feeling just kept feeling bigger and bigger, like nothing could ever make him feel whole again. Like it would swallow him and plunge him into darkness. He could feel the tale tell of spiraling that would send him into reboot mode. Starscream was about to bang his helm against his knees, just to hurry things along, when another song came from the musical mech. I am doing the best I can with everything I am
Don't you know that I think you’re worth it?
Do you understand how hard I’m trying to do
The best I can? Starscream listened, feeling a twinge of guilt. He was not good with things like these, talking about real feelings and being… vulnerable. Baring your spark, all those ridiculous clichée he had never believed in when Knockout had babbled on endlessly about his Conjux. Yet, Starscream had to admit it had worked wonders with Nightshroud, the femme slowly opening to him as he made actual efforts to be nice and caring. Grunting and grumbling, Starscream started his self-repairs, wanting to make sure he was looking at least half-decent. He stood up, brushing some imaginary dirt of his cockpit before stomping towards the window with a glare. The Seeker turned his back and leaned against the viewing window, arms crossed and huffing with indignation. Still, he played another song, willing to back down and play nice. For now.
My past has tasted bitter for years now
So I wield an iron fist
Grace is just weakness
Or so I've been told
I've been cold, I've been merciless
But the blood on my hands scares me to death
Maybe I'm waking up today
For all of the light that I shut out
For all of the innocent things that I doubt
For all of the bruises I've caused in the tears
For all of the things that I've done
All these years, no, yeah
For all the sparks that I stomped out
For all of the perfect things that I doubt
I'll be good, I'll be good
And I'll love the world, like I should
Yeah, I'll be good, I'll be good
For all of the times I never could
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Post by Soundwave on Dec 26, 2022 22:11:58 GMT
As Soundwave played his song, he wasn’t certain that Starscream was going to react as he had ignored the previous attempts to get this attention. To hear the stomping and the mech return to the window, it had come as a complete surprise which could be heard as the words in the song became filled with static for a brief moment. The seeker didn’t seem happy as he glared, turning his back to the former communications officer with a huff. At least he was visible. Soundwave listened as the Starscream began to play another song. Listening closely to the lyrics, perhaps Starscream was trying to say that he had done many things that he regretted; that he’d wanted to fix things for the better yet wasn’t entirely sure on how to do so. A valiant ideal, but only if he actually stuck to that. That’s why they needed to get out of G.H.O.S.T. HQ and back into the world. To gather scattered Decepticons and seek revenge against the Autobots and Megatron, even if they did not fully revive the Decepticon movement. Just as Starscream ended his song, Soundwave took the chance to play another to further what he was trying to say. When you try your best, but you don’t succeed When you get what you want, but not what you need When you feel so tired, but you can’t sleep Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face When you lose something you can’t replace When you love someone, but it goes to waste Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home And ignite your bones And I will try to fix you. The song continued until it reached its end, and then Soundwave spoke once more, repeating a lyric but adding to it. “And I will try to fix you. MY SILLY LITTLE RABBIT.” |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2022 2:36:07 GMT
Starscream gasped and put a servos over his spark, dramatically. He chuckled softly, delighted that Soundwave had finally indulged him with the pet name. His wings twitched, betraying his pleasure. Oh well. He was, strangely, very happy about this small concession from the part of Soundwave. Must not have been easy for the mech to say that.
Wait. It must have not been easy for the mech to say that. Was Soundwave… flirting back? At first, Starscream had chalked the other mech’s behaviour as trying to soothe him, to stir him right back into being leader of the Decepticons. Not that Starscream wanted to say yes. He wanted to go home, on Cybertron. Rebuild Vos, go far, far away from the stupid humans.
What a nice dream that was. So very tempting to let Soundwave’s mechanical tones lull him into a sense of false security, with all his promised whispers of being there, being loyal, being… supportive? This was getting into gross feelings territory, but Starscream supposed he’d have to confront those eventually.
He had sworn to himself that he would never fall for anyone else, especially after the whole Skyfire disaster. The Trine was an absolute failure, Skyfire had never seen him as anything aside from a brother, Knockout had merely been some pity fuck when the grounder had missed his partner too much.
He had worked so hard, his whole existence to be liked, loved, tolerated, at the bare minimum. Built a whole facade, thrown his self-love and self-respect away, all in the name of… power? He sure wasn’t powerful in his stupid cage. Respect? No one respected him. Love?
Love, was not something Starscream, deserved.
“I still don’t want to lead the Decepticons... I want to go home Sounders, I want to rebuild, not more Warfare… I’ve had my spark broken numerous times… I’ve been romantically hung up on the same mech that doesn’t like me, has told me so to my face, and yet, I still pinned for millennia. ”
The Seeker sighed, the weight of the universe dropping on his shoulder plates. He was exhausted, internal systems stalling and trying their best to keep him upright as he was starved and tortured in the form of being caged. Starscream closed his eyes, resting his helm against the window, a bit more gently than he usually would.
“I miss flying…”
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Post by Soundwave on Dec 28, 2022 1:20:55 GMT
If nothing else Starscream seemed to be a bit more open to talking again, even if it came a at the cost of a little humiliation. It wasn't Soundwave's proudest moment, but there was a part of him that wanted the seeker to stop beating himself up and the cease this 'will he won't he' charade. Yes there were things best left unsaid at the moment, but why bother teasing with words only to no payout in the end? At least the game was over for now, and now they could get back to a somewhat normal conversation for the time being. As he listened to Starscream speak of an old one-sided relationship, Skyfire was not the first mech that came to mind. Yes Soundwave was aware that the two had been close friends but he would not have immediately jumped to the conclusion that there was love there on either side. Something more akin to Amica Endura if anything, but nothing beyond that. Instead, the first mech that came to mind was unfortunately Megatron. Their former leader did some pretty terrible things to Starscream, some deserved and some not but the seeker always seemed to people please when he tiptoed onto the wrong side of Megatron's wrath. Maybe beneath it all it was just Starscream's way of trying to win his favor or even seek attention, but Megatron was having none of it. The former communications officer could relate having been so close to the the former leader of the Decepticons. It may not have been romantic, but he considered their bond to run deep.. only to be abandoned in the end. How ironic. The one most loyal was the one most hurt in the end. Either way it had become apparent that the seeker was set on dismissing his prior aspiration of leading the Decepticons. He no longer wished for it, and only wished to return home to Cybertron. It still seemed strange to Soundwave, but what if he wasn't lying? "RETURN TO CYBERTRON: WE SHALL. THEN.. WE FLY." Didn't mean they couldn't fly on Earth of course once they escaped, but if one more organic flying creature flew into their turbines one more time he was going to be done with this place. "YOU WILL REUNITE WITH THE TWIN." |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2022 2:38:26 GMT
The long pause after his confession only stretched and Starscream’s desire to inflict pain on himself, was also growing exponentially. Not a good sign. The frustration was still boiling under his plating, ready to come out and explode. It seemed to be the only thing that made Soundwave react.
He was so sick of it.
Yearned for the easier time when he was hanging out in the fort with Nightshroud. Their easy companionship, how they had worked so well in tandem. She was much, much better company than Soundwave.
As if he had read his mind, the spy ‘spoke’. Two bland lines came out of the musical mech, no matter the well intentions he had meant behind them. Starscream’s spark dimmed, shoulders plates dropping. He’d only get platitudes from the Spy, exactly what he did not want to hear. Soundwave was terrible at this.
“Apology accepted.” Starscream grinned sadly, knowing it would annoy Soundwave. He was glad his back was turned, he only had to control his wings, his face plate was free to emote his emotions.
He felt silent, nursing his broken spark. Starscream was cursed, doomed to never be loved. That’s why he had to love himself, no else will. His initial assessment of Soundwave had been right. If you’re not a Cassette or Him, you don’t matter to the spy. Well, with the vitriol with which he had spoken of Him maybe only the Cassettes remained.
Well, he would not be a replacement for Him. He would be better. He would not lead, he would build the future he wanted and whoever desired to actually help, is welcome to follow.
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Post by Soundwave on Dec 29, 2022 1:36:33 GMT
Soundwave wouldn’t exactly have called it an apology, but if that’s what Starscream wanted to call it then that was fine by him. Whatever led them both to calling a truce for the time being whether it be temporary or long lasting, it was better than arguing or whatever it was the seeker was attempting to do. No matter how Soundwave attempted to reason with the mech whether it be by words, music or the voices from the past or others nothing seemed to make a lick of difference. Nothing seemed to be making any sort of impact with exception of the former air commander’s new favorite nickname. But just as they were beginning to make some progress, Starscream fell silent once more. Soundwave really wished he could figure out just what was going on in the mech’s processor. If he could untangle that mess of a brain module, it would be far easier to work with him and convince the seeker that he wasn’t out to get him or anything, but such was life. He could only work with the bare minimum right now given that he didn’t have his cassettes with him, save for Ravage on recon, so he could only work with what he had in front of him. “APOLOGY: ACCEPTED. TRUCE FORMED WITH SILLY LITTLE RABBIT” |
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