BridgeRavage offlined his optics as Soundwave patted him on his head, onlining them again when he ceased. The cassetticon would never admit it aloud, but he rather enjoyed such gestures. Though, only from Soundwave and Megatron. The latter of which, sadly, was no longer with them. Ravage’s ears drooped slightly at the thought, but he soon shook it off as Soundwave began to speak.
"Normally it would, my old friend." Soundwave replied with his usual monotone,
"But the unknown variables are too high to send you alongside the Seekers. Laserbeak is able to keep up with the Seekers in the air."Ravage inclined his head slightly at the wisdom of Soundwave’s decision. It was true that Laserbeak could better keep up with seekers than he could ever hope to. The jaguar savored another pat as Soundwave continued.
"Besides, your stealth capabilities may be more of more use to us here. Buzzsaw can cover for Laserbeak's usual duties, but neither of them could cover for you. C'mon, We need to talk to our Supreme Commander now."Ravage rose to his feet and followed silently beside Soundwave as his friend and superior exited the bridge.
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Shockwave’s Laboratory >>”I must say, Flamewar, you seem to have thought of everything. Well done. Indeed, I am fine with the changes you have laid out, especially in regards to Razorclaw having a false code. However, lets just leave the number of handlers at three. I understand your reasoning for it, checks and balances and all, but three is more than enough, wouldn’t you agree, my dear? Let’s not add any more.”<<Matters arranged as they were, Flamewar was more than content to keep the number of handlers at three. In all honesty, she would have preferred to keep it solely to herself. But circumstances would always be far from ideal, and she would adjust and adapt as she always had. Shockwave was the only handler that she was particularly…concerned about. Soundwave would never compromise the Decepticons. Flamewar would keep a watchful optic on him, of course, but, of the three, Shockwave was the most…variable.
Flamewar was, of course, relieved that the change in plans was amicable to Sixshot. At the moment, no one could control him if he went on a rampage save Starscream. Keeping her new…friend…happy was now one of her top concerns.
>>”Agreed,”<< Flamewar said simply,
>>”It’s just a shame that I couldn’t keep you all to myself.”<<She added a bit of levity into her last sentence, fighting the reflexive urge to cut the comm line after finishing. Instead, she kept it open, in case Sixshot felt the need or want to pitch in with more commentary. She glanced at him as Sixshot spoke aloud to her.
“I’m sure he can handle things on his own, my dear, but if it speeds things along then, by all means, stay and help. You’ll get no objections from me.”“Of course.
Shockwave, simply know that I am entirely at your disposal,” she said blithely.
Her attention shifted to Razorclaw as he asked about how matters regarding the killswitch were handled. Flamewar admitted to some curiosity herself, not having been present at the prior event. She kept her expression serene and passive, however. Content merely to listen. That was until Soundwave entered the lab unannounced. The flick of movement in her corner of her optic was enough to alert her to his entrance. He did not, however, try to make his presence known. After a long moment, she concluded that he was not here to speak with her either. Perhaps Razorclaw then…
Flamewar debated sending him a transmission to ascertain the situation. She wondered if the communications officer would even bother to share. Well, she would not learn anything if she did not bother to act.
>>”Is something wrong, Soundwave?”<<Before she received an answer from the CCO, however, Shockwave replied to Razorclaw’s query, detailing the process of how Megatron arranged it the first time around. A bit of sorrow cut her to her spark when she remembered with warmth the pride that she had felt in following him. Pride she was unlikely to ever feel again now.
"I have no intention of repeating that error.”Error? Flamewar glanced to Shockwave at those words, a certain enmity flickering within her. She, of course, kept her countenance schooled. Yet that particular comment was unappreciated. The only error was in ever allowing Starscream to discover the code in the first place. However that occurred.
”I will also possess the shutdown code. I calculate a 84.2396% probability that you require my cooperation more than Megatron did. You choose whether the variable in this equation is Starscream or myself. You will have to content yourself with the fact that I agree that Starscream is a greater threat to Sixshot's stability than you are. Your alternative will be to leave the status quo as it remains."Interesting. And a firm reminder that Shockwave was an incredibly shrewd mechanoid. Not one to be trusted, and one to be watched. Flamewar was content to believe that their deal remained intact for the moment. However, should that not be the case…Well, Soundwave could listen in on any secure communication. Failing his compliance, however, she had other…methods. Flamewar stewed quietly as she looked to Razorclaw, curious to see his response.
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Ravage stood slightly behind Soundwave, keeping a distance that he knew would generally keep him from being noticed, given his abilities. He listened intently to the proceedings, occasionally glancing up at Soundwave. His default reaction was to keep quiet and listen to how things panned out, but he was ready to do anything Soundwave asked at a moment’s notice.