Life always empty, but I will never change [OPEN]

[aircommanderp]

WHO: Starscream, [OPEN] To all! He's taking visitors.
WHAT: Starscream faces down the idea of being one of the first Decepticons to suffer a slow death, rather than a quick blaze of glory. He's waiting his last few days.
WHERE: Starscream's apartment.
WHEN: All day today and tomorrow.
WARNINGS/NOTES: Soundtrack start.

Comments

[inursatellites]

Soundwave touched down. It was without flourish, or loud announcement of thrusters. He was not here to make a show. He was here for a purpose. To maintain a tenuous alliance by virtue of repairs.

If that were even possible.

He was capable of creating and maintaining his lesser units -- Ravage, Rumble. The Reedman drone. The failed experiment that was 'Alice'. In-depth repairs were not beyond his capabilities. But, if these were... then data indicated it was not a total loss.

If he was correct, then his efforts would possibly strengthen the alliance -- such that it was -- once the alternate Starscream expired. And if not... well. He could mine the husk for data.

Soundwave didn't bother announcing himself. He simply let himself into the apartment without a word.

[inursatellites]

Soundwave's cooling fans kick on in a hum of displeasure. As... much displeasure as he can muster, anyway. He loathes those contradictions, those emotions. His fins flick, mantling and settling against his back in a restless motion.

"SOUNDWAVE: WAS NOT TORTURED," he says, fixing the other with a long stare. Granted, he didn't remember anything, but his new ability had been of use to Megatron. That was hardly torture.

"DATA: INDICATES STRONG POSSIBILITY. IGNORING DATA: UNWISE."

[aircommanderp]

"Can they grant me my spark? Doubtful." Starscream snorts.

"I'll repeat this cycle of death. I'm sure they'd like that. Trial and error for them." He growls, but it proves too much a strain for him.

"Why are you helping me?"

[inursatellites]

Soundwave merely looks at him. He'd be irritated, if he were capable. There's entirely too much bitterness in this room. He knows what it is, he knows the meaning, and the cause... but he doesn't understand such an emotion.

His shoulders move -- a gesture simulating a shrug.

"REPAYING: DEBTS," he answered simply. After all, there had been that incident with the undead creatures, and he'd had to be bailed out of it. It was true enough, even if it weren't the whole truth.

[aircommanderp]

"Debts, huh? Never struck me as the honorable type... I guess it's a Soundwave thing." He knew three of them here, and they all had some kind of strange sense of honor.

"Though you can't save me... what's the point? Obviously I'm of little use anymore as far as data goes. Most of anything useful is already corrupted."

[inursatellites]

"SERVICE: IMPAIRED IF OTHER OBLIGATIONS ARE PRESENT," the satellite states, flatly. If he had something else running in the background, his focus couldn't be on his primary objective -- ever-present service to his Lord.

Soundwave doesn't reply at first, scanning the other Decepticon out of the corner of one optic. "NOT: EVERYTHING," he says. "ONLY: MOST."

[aircommanderp]

Starscream just sighs and shakes his head.

"You're really ridiculous, you know?" He chuckled, amused at how deadpan the Tyran is all the time.

"I guess we're even then."

[inursatellites]

Soundwave tilts his head at that, apparently requesting more information, but not outright asking for it. Not while he was still attempting to repair the damage. Ridiculous? Why?

"AFFIRMATIVE. DEBT: IS REPAID."

[aircommanderp]

Starscream quiets and just lets him finish his work for the time being.

When all is said and done, the pain is less. Death is still inevitable, but he's comfortable for a little while longer. He can be dignified for some time...

"You. Have my gratitude." As close to a 'thank you' as he'll come.

[inursatellites]

Fortunately for Starscream, Soundwave isn't the type to needle anyone into lavish displays of gratitude. He's getting what he wanted, the thanks is irrelevant to him.

So he just nods, and turns his attention away. He'll stand watch -- in case something else crops up that he can repair -- leaving the cables where they lie as a form of monitoring.

[aircommanderp]

Gently, he pats one of the cables.

It's nice not to be left completely alone for a while. Now that the pain is muted, and the warm hum from the cables helps him into a light recharge.

[inursatellites]

Soundwave stares -- he doesn't understand what he's getting from the other Decepticon. The feelings don't make sense to him. He's under no obligation to remain. No obligation, save for his own curiosity.

So he stays, watching, and standing as an accidental sentinel.