Transformers - Priorities

Megatron's voice echoed off the mountains of purple debris, "Soundwave! Damage report!"

Soundwave shoved aside rubble from the Decepticons' temporary base. The destruction was total, there was no way to calculate the extent based on initial scans. It would be more accurate to measure the damage in bodies if the energon radiation would give him a decent reading. All he knew at this point was that he was functioning and so was Megatron. He joined his leader in a clearing near the shattered remains of their computer's central console. "Base is.... unsalvageable."

"Brilliant deduction, Soundwave." Megatron scoffed. He picked up a piece of machinery and watched it fall to pieces in his hand. "Tell me something I can't ascertain at a glance."

Soundwave changed his approach. He pressed a button on his chest and opened a broad frequency - he needed a headcount. "This is Soundwave. All functional Decepticons report. Target this signal. Regroup."

"This is humiliating," Megatron grumbled. He stuck his foot through the last upright power supply. "We must rise above this, Soundwave, begin calculating countermeasures."

Soundwave cast him a long slow look. Megatron's ego was all he thought about. The lives of his followers were nothing compared to his prestige. Soundwave belayed the order in silence - he focused on broadcasting is beacon, adjusting the hertz and frequency and trying to cut through the interference that was even now eroding his circuits.

"Megatron!" Starscream arrived in jet form. He transformed and crashed down between them, pointing a brash finger at his leader, "This is entirely your fault, Megatron! We were taken completely off guard by an Autobot the size of a military outpost! This never would have happened if *I* were in charge!"

"Enough of your blathering, Starscream," Megatron groaned, "I am in no mood to tolerate your incessant crowing."

The other two seekers followed sortly. Thundercracker arrived by ground, both wings missing and his shoulder joint compromised. Skywarp was stuck in jet mode without thrusters and left to teleport to the rendezvous in five mile bursts. Soundwave counted their return as a marginal convenience. His attention was on four specific Decepticons; all still missing, all too small for anyone else to care.

He noticed Ravage's energy signature on his short-range scans. It was moving slow. He stepped away from the group and tracked it coming up over a small ridge.

"Soundwave!" Megatron barked.

The communications officer stopped and turned.

"Where are you going? Report on those countermeasures!"

Soundwave lied to him in monotone. "Countermeasures still compling, Megatron."

Megatron frowned, "Come back here, Skywarp needs your attention."

Soundwave paused to watch the signal then did as he was told and waited for Ravage to limp his way into the clearing.  

The cassetticon was suffering an electrical glitch. He hissed a small whimper as he came, back legs barely working. Soundwave listened as he atttended to his patient, locating the blocked linkage and patching the stream. Skywarp transformed back to a robot, "Hey Soundwave, your pet is here."

This was the license he needed to legitimately concern himself. Soundwave bent down and inspected Ravage's wound. The cat-shaped robot rubbed it's scratched head against his leg in a small plea for comfort.

"Do take care of that thing, Soundwave," Megatron groaned.

"Yes, Megatron." Soundwave confirmed. He covertly ran his hand down Ravage's hurt back and stood with a simple command, "Ravage. Return."

The cassette transformed with a yelp and returned to the compartment within Soundwave's chest. The larger Decepticon knew his own repair systems would help get Ravage back into shape, but it would take some time and energy. He hoped his other cassettes were doing better.

The group heard Laserbeak screeching overhead. Megatron looked up and smiled, "Ah! Laserbeak! Report!" He held up his arm for the small Decepticon to land, but was snubbed in favor of his kin. Laserbeak landed on Soundwave's shoulder and preened open scars in his red armor. Megatron was visibly annoyed. "What does he say?"

Laserbeak reported to Soundwave on their private channel. The communications officer answered for him, "No Autobot activity in the area, Megatron."

"That's fine," Megatron said, disinterested, "Have him take an areal scan. I want terrestrial strategies for our immediate counterattack."

"As you wish." Soundwave replied. He gave the cassette a nod and transmitted his own instructions: 'find Rumble and Frenzy. Report location'. The bird squawked confirmation and soared away.

Soundwave focused now on internal repairs. Ravage was coming along nicely, but he needed more dedicated work. They needed to get back to their primary base so he could examine the cassette on a work bench. The electrical short was causing sporadic bursts of pain to both doctor and patient. Soundwave was forced to shut the cassette down to basic functions and began calculating how long his own reserves could keep him alive without switching him back on.

"Soundwave!" Megatron coughed again. He crossed his arms, "Report on those countermeasures."

"Still compiling, Megatron."

"Compiling." Megatron repeated darkly, "I don't believe it. Are you functioning at peak capacity?"

"He's distracted by his little pets." Skywarp said. He leaned on Thundercracker with a grin. The clipped jet shrugged him off.

"Keep working, Soundwave, I mean it." Megatron warned, "We're running emergency repair and striking back immediately. Every cycle we waste loses us the surprise advantage."

Laserbeak signaled to Soundwave from above. Both Frenzy and Rumble were still functioning. Their mobility was compromised but they were headed his direction. Frenzy was heavily damaged. He needed assistance right away. No topographical data as of yet.

Soundwave cast a glance to his leader who was harping to his seekers about target priority when they mobilize. He transmitted a silent command to his eye in the sky: Belay topographical order. Track Frenzy. Report back.

Rumble was now in scanner range. Soundwave watched him come closer through the airwaves. The speed concerned him far more than Megatron's speech.

"As always leave Prime for me. I'll not stand such a cowardly attack - I'll teach him what happens when you take Megatron off-guard!"

Rumble finally appeared in sight. He was missing his left arm and limping on a twisted left leg. He hopped off some rubble and landed in the clearing with a yelp and a sorry sob, "Soundwave!" He drug himself as fast as he could, "Soundwave! Where's Frenzy? Is he back yet?"

"So you're still alive," Starscream sneered at the little robot. "Pure luck."

"He's not here is he?" Rumble let go of his wounded side and hooked his fingers on the chinks of Soundwave's leg armor. "The tower came down right on top of us. You gotta find him, Soundwave. you gotta..."

"Enough," Megatron hissed and sent Soundwave a scowl. "I'm still waiting for those countermeasures."

The long-suffering officer used silence to his advantage. He and Megatron exchanged a long glare as he waited for Laserbeak to report. Frenzy was approaching from the south. He needed immediate attention. He wouldn't make it on his own.

"Soundwave?" Rumble asked.

"Soundwave." Megatron prompted.

The communications officer turned and marched to the southern edge of the clearing. He spotted Frenzy on short-range. Audio receptors located his unique pattern. He was hurting. Finally he was visible over the ridge.

Frenzy's torso was blown straight through. He was leaking fluids and missing both limbs on the right side. He crawled to the edge, voice straining with the effort, "Soundwave!"

"Frenzy!" Rumble cried. He limped over and stared in disbelief, "Primus, man, you okay?"

"Soundwave," Frenzy said in a near sob. He reached down with his remaining arm. "I need help..."

"Leave him for cleanup and recovery," Megatron commanded, "He's in no state to attack. We have our priorities!"

"Yes, Megatron." Soundwave replied. He reached up and took Frenzy down, cradling him in the crook of one arm. Frenzy clung tight, shedding the last scraps of his macho attitude in the shelter of Soundwave's blue armor.

The communication specialist turned to his leader and delivered his report in the clearest voice he could. "Countermeasures: aborted. Attack outcome: unfavorable. Return to headquarters: advisable."

"I did not tell you to abort, Soundwave," Megatron said with a growl. "I asked you for calculations."

"Affirmative." Soundwave replied. "Calculations: complete. Repair: priority one. Awaiting your command."

"I agree," Starscream said. "We are in no shape to fight. We will fall victim to a second ill-informed plans and add another embarrassing defeat to your flawless resume."

"Enough," Megatron snapped at him. He surveyed his four-man fighting force and vented hot air from his grill. "Fine. Return to headquarters. We will retaliate against the Autobots when we are better prepared. Move out."

The leader and three seekers took off for the sky leaving Soundwave and his cassetticons standing in the debris. Laserbeak swooped down and perched on his shoulder. They waited a moment in silence until the others were gone from sight.

"Thanks Soundwave," Rumble said. "Can we go home now?"

"Affirmative." Soundwave opened his chest compartment. The three cassettes transformed into mangled tapes and tucked in next to Ravage where they belonged.