A figure waited in the corner hidden by the shadow, while a group of four running Autobots passed by and disappeared turning to another corridor. Their steps were still heard when Soundwave's visor blinked as she stepped out of the hidden spot and continued her way.

The whole base was searching for her.

Siren has stopped not long ago. Lights were still blinking in the gray metallic walled corridors of this area. Soundwave acted simply but very clever. Autobots even helped her by being distructed by their own talk. Who would have thought that fooling them might be that easy? However, Soundwave knew it was just the beginning. Making off the secured base couldn't be easy, even for her. The energy level was decreasing slowly and she hadn't even strated the action yet. Time was warking against her.

Soundwave was a Decepticon. How much truble could a 'Con bring being inside of the Autobot base?.. More than you can imagine. Distruction, assailing and what not. Still, most of the possible actions would lead to Decepticon's captivity or might even end up by deactivation. But Soundwave was skilled and clever. If the femme wanted to make Autobots wish they had never captured her, she would use one or two tricks of hers. That was why 'Bots were trying hard to find her. The First Communication Officer was counted as one of the most loyal Decepticons, but was she that loyal as everyone thought? Actually, Soundwave has made her best to make others think that way. Unexpected, right? She wasn't loyal to Megatron. No. And she would never risk her life trying to cause distraction while being on her anomy's base.

Soundwave not being loyal to Megatron, was a difficult thing to imagine. The stereotype of this 'Con's loyalty was too strong, as well as other ones were. These stereotypes gave her a stabile reputation, they gave her power and they gave safety as much as it could be gotten.

It didn't matter that others thought about Soundwave the way they did. This wrong beliefs were their own mistake.

As for Soundwave, she didn't accept most of Decepticons' ideals and ideas. She had her own processor to think and analize what was happening in the world around her. Her becoming a 'Con was a long story... A lot had happened, and this femme started playing using her own rules, while only her simbiots new about this... Then why didn't she give Autobots the information they wanted? There were several reasons...

Right now, she needed to get rid of the servocuffs preventing the transforming ability.

She prepared the long sharp digits and plunged them in the weak spot of fastenings. Pulling servos in different sides created the needed strain and cracks widened. Several moves and the wall hitting that followed made enough damage for the details. Servocuffs collapsed on the floor and Soundwave was free to move.

The corridor she was approaching should have been leading to the lounge. Soundwave hoped that was the right one.

She quickly turned the corner and her spark flinched.

The femme made a step back. Three Autobots in the centre of the corridor. HotRod, Blurr, Cliffjumper. Was no time to react. Their blasters were already activated aiming at her.

"Servos up, 'Con." Blurr ordered his optics narrowed. It felt like the time stopped. Decepticon had no way to escape. But... Soundwave straightened up. Making blasters providently brighten more, the thin servo moved reaching the visor. There was one thing that could change the situation in Soundwave's favor. The confusion of others may bring you control over the situation... Soundwave breaved out trying to cool her engine and relax her spark. Compressed air was released and the visor was off.

Other Autobots hadn't have opportunity to find out about what happened during the interrogation yet.

And now... Was this a femme standing in front of them?!

The three was startled, lost, with disbeliev looking in bright different colored optics, as Soundwave made two slow steps in their direction. Then, fast as a lightning, the femme slided to their side and passed by, somehow knocking 'Bots from their peds. The visor was on again and entrance to the lounge was reached in several clicks.

Soundwave heard the 'Fire' command as she rushed inside and was now standing on the platform of the second floor of the room. There were some Autobots, probably not soldiers because right now they were supposed to be searching for her. As the shoots were heard everyone's attention turned to the platform. Soundwave didn't have time to see their reaction as she ignored the ladder at her left and jumped over the servo-rails transforming in the air not reaching the ground. The jet ascended and made a circle under the roof avoiding the lasers trying to knock her down. Soundwave wasn't a seeker. She was one of the rare grounder transformers, who became an owner of flying ability by getting special details. Hers were the special wing-like details fixed on her servos which transformed into the wings. The details have been damaged and and were covered with dents making it more difficult for Soundwave to control her flight. But being able to fly out was already a great luck.

The femme detected her way for escape and making a maneuver in the air she dived down, almost reaching the floor. She flew in the other corridor creating the wind and sound of the air being swished by her wings. Then the access to the other area was seen. Soundwave ascended and was under the roof again.

The place was huge. Here were different mechanisms, equipment and weapons.

This was the place Soundwave had been trying to reach, she was now by the massive main gates of the base.

Jet was making circles in the air trying to avoid shots coming from the ground. Autobots wouldn't give her a chance to open the exit... Soundwave had to act bluntly.

She spotted one young Autobot, who seemed to have no weapons. This was FirstAid, the red armored medic, one of the youngest Autobots of the base.

FirstAid flinched and started running as the Decepticon was now flying in his direction. Soundwave transformed flying over him and landed in two steps away. Young bot had no chance against a skilled Decepticon. Soundwave grabbed him, her sharp digits pressing his neck cables.

Autobots stop fire. They were just aiming at the 'Con as Soundwave wars coldly facing them with shocked FirstAid in her grip.

"Take your servos off m!" young bot couldn't believe that he let himself to be captured. But he was young and he was not a warrior, so his attempt to get free was stopped by Soundwave's digits being pressed harder. FirstAid had heard about Soundwave and how dangerous this 'Con was. He saw Autobots stop and thir looks of warridness and anger. He knew they wouldn't risk his life and it felt awful to be used for their manipulation.

Soundwave could feel youngling's spark worked fast. He was scared but he was her only way out.

This was when three vehicles drove in and transformed. These were Ironhide, Ratchet and Optimuse Prime. Chief medic's optics widened as he so his youngest auxiliary in Decepticons grip. "FirstAid?! Let him go now!" Ratchet clenched his fists but was stopped by Optimuse.

Soundwave was coldly looking at Prime and played the recording of Shockwave's voice.

"Gates."

The Autobot leader could see Soundwave's tiredness, although she tried to hide it as much as she could. Her energy levels were now 15.7%. Optimuse was amazed by the femme's stamina and self-control. But he remembered her faceplate when the visor was taken off and several drops that escaped her optics. The way they imagined Soundwave's personality had fully changed. It was so opposite to Soundwave they used to know.

Optimuse had always believed that not all Decepticons were evil. He believed that everyone deserved a chance to change. He believed that not all of them were as they seemed. And Soundwave could appear to be the proof.

Prime and Ratchat wondered why Soundwave was doing the attempt to escape. They knew that she won't be able to make even the way back to the Decepticon territories having so less energy and they knew that Soundwave also was realized this fact.

"Soundwave, you know this is meaningless. You won't be able to make even half of the way." Optimuse made a good point but reaching the base wasn't her plan.

"Gates." Soundwave repeated this time demonstarating her free servo with sharp digits prepared.

Everyone waited for Prime. Optimus would never risk the youngling's life.

"RedAlert, open the gates." he ordered stlii looking at Soundwave. RedAlert walked to controlling panel and made the mechanisms work. The huge gates started sliding with a roar revealing Soundwave's way out. As Autonots didn't stop aiming, Soundwave walked to the exit not turning her back to them and dragging FirstAid in her grip.

The next moment Decepticon released him, transformed and flew out leaving them all behind.

"What just happened?!" shouted Skids

"Yah, since when do we let 'Cons fly around?!" his twin, Mudflup agreed and they both glanced at Ironhide their servos crossed but the warrior just rolled his optics and ignored the two.

"You're ok, kid?" Whilejack asked FirstAid, who was still sitting on his knees looking out of the gates. Young bot surprisingly turned his helm at the white armored wrecker.

"I'm fine." he answered quickly standing up trying to collect himself as his tutor was comming closer.

Optimuse was standing still, as JetFire run to his leader's side. "Should we bring him back?" Flyers were already waiting for command. Even if they didn't use force, Soundwave would run out of energy very soon. Was she trying to shorten the distance for sending some kind of a signal or may be 'Con headed to a safe place Autobots didn't know about to wait there for help...

"Go. But, JetFire, do not use force unless it is required. Soundwave will have to make landing in a short time." the 'Bot nodded and took off leading other jets out.

Koan, Decepticon base.

"Progress?" Rumble asked Frenzy leaning on the back of his chair. They were both in Soundwave's personal office of the Communication Centre by the side of a computer with a big screen.

"Nothing. Noth-ing! I just don't know what else to try! There's no useful info, while security codes are either not correct either just can't be decoded!" Frenzy roared closing his faceplate by servos. They have been trying to find something that could be helpful in retrieving Soundwave. Unfortunately, information they had wouldn't be enough and nothing new could be found.

"Come on, Frenzy, you can do it, just try again."

"And why are you just standing here?! Do something!"

"Do what? You're the hacker, not me! Communications are my limit."

Ratbats voice was heard from the entrance "But it was you, who helped Soundwave with the last programming."

"Ratbat, you're supposed to be on a lookout!" Rumble reminded. The three was not supposed to be here but they needed to use Soundwave's computer. The femmling flew up and landed on Rumble's shoulder clinging with her wing talons.

"Ah, please. Who is going to check this place. And even if someone comes what do you want me to do with him?"

"Don't know, may be distract him and give us some time to hide!"

"Guys, you're not helping!" Frenzy interrupted them.

"You three will never make a good spy..." Lazerbeaks voice came making them all flinch. They hadn't noticed three older simbiots enter the room.

"How long have been standing there?" the femmling shyly asked looking at Buzsaw with a childish smile.

"Your voices can be heard even from the corridor." the bird noticed disapprovingly but not strictly looking at her.

"Is it getting a bit crowded here..." Rumble noticed rubbing his helm.

"Did you manage to find something?" asked Lazerbeak.

"No, nothing useful. You?"

"Megatron is stupidly stubborn. He didn't even listen to me."

"Yes, looks like we are on our own." his twin agreed.

"Plan: Rumble, Frenzy continue - mission: investigation. Buzsaw: with me. We will try to contact Soundwave. Fact: distance must be shortened. Possible success: 20%"

"What's your plan, Ravage. We can't contact Soundwave through the comlink."

"Not comlinc. Sparkbond. The shorter distance required."

"We're going to Autobots' base?!"

"As close as it is needed to re-establish the bond."

"I'm coming with you!" Lazerbeak stated.

"Negative."

"Positive! I'm not going to wait here, Ravage!" the condor's red optics blazed looking at panther, who was sitting infron of him and firmly looking in bird.

"Lazerbeak: you must control your temper. Fact: not succeeded yet." Buzsaw made a step back as Rumble and Frenzy enchanted worried looks. If one of the two oldest simbiots didn't stop, this conversation wouldn't end well. Ravage was the one, who's orders weren't discussed. The cat was clever and strong and his self-control deserved respect. Being wise he realized that if they meet Autobot's during their mission Lazerbeak might make the situation worse.

"Ravage, I have to come and I will." The panther's optics were narrowed and his tail slightly twitched. Lazerbeak was the one who never leaved Soundwave's side as long as it wasn't for a mission, so her absence affected him the most.

"Plan changed. Lazerbeak, Buzsaw, prepare for a mission. Leaving: now." older condor and others looked at Ravage with disbelief. They didn't expect that cat would change his mind. Lazerbeak thankfully looked at him and got a nod in response.

"Be careful." Ratbat waved with her wing as the three was leaving.

"We will. Good luck with searching." Buzsaw smiled turning back at three youngling and went out.
"Are you going to help me now?" Frenzy crossed his servos looking at Rumble.
"Alright, alright! I'll try my best! Just tell me where to begin. "

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So... What do you think? ))