thisavrou_log | Sometimes you just gotta punch someone in the face

Sometimes you just gotta punch someone in the face

Who: Soundwave and Megatron
When: Today
Where: Megatron's office
What: Threatening your former boss
Warnings: Threatening to murder people I guess?

Megatron's schedule is obvious enough that Soundwave doesn't have any trouble finding him. He headed for office the other Cybertronian was occupying - really, a personnel office, what kind of joke was that. No matter.

He rapped his knuckles on the door before entering, folding his arms under his chest. "Megatron," His voice was completely business. He wasn't here to make friendly, "I need a word with you."

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Megatron is standing in wait for Soundwave, having heard his footsteps from outside. He was waiting for this talk after hearing of the Captains' decision. When he heard Soundwave's knock, he put aside what he was doing to meet him at the door.

He invites the Decepticon in, closing the door behind him so they can have some privacy.

"I suspect you aren't happy about the outcome of Tarn's trial."

At least Megatron wasn't tiptoeing around the issue. Primus knows he would have lost it and just punched Megatron immediately if the other had tried to make pleasantries.

Soundwave doesn't bother with moving too far into the room, or making himself comfortable. But he is glad to see that no one else was hanging around. This was a conversation that he intended to keep private.

"You assume correctly, however the results were not unexpected." He shrugged, "I imagine you are."

"Why would I be happy at any of this?"

He sighs, the large shoulders sinking.

"I don't feel enjoyment at Tarn being punished, Soundwave. He killed someone despite the efforts to temper his aggression, because that is how he was trained."

"I'm worried about what will happen if we can't help him manage that impulse and he does it again."

It was simple enough why Megatron would be pleased with the outcome of the trial. He could argue, and it was irritating enough that he was tempted, that Megatron's 'efforts' were likely just telling Tarn to play nice and walking away which was incredibly stupid, but that wasn't relevant now. What he couldn't help snapping at was -

"There is no we."

He pauses, before starting again. "You got the outcome you voted for," He said flatly, "You may not enjoy that he has to be punished, but now he'll be consuming Fool's Energon. Which you believe will help him manage that impulse, do you not?"

"That said, your Autobots do seem to share your sentiments."

A stern tone Soundwave may find familiar enters his voice: "I do, and I already explained my reasoning at the trial."

While he didn't vote for the option out of some vindictive need to punish Tarn, he did not think there was any other way that could possibly mitigate his behavior long term. As much as Megatron's changed, he could still be as stubborn as ever.

"All of us need to make the adjustment to post-war life, and Tarn was never someone who reacted much to gentle treatment. "

Edited 2016-06-06 03:14 (UTC)

He does indeed recognize that tone. It makes his hands curl into fists. Had this been the past, he would have known that tone meant their discussion was over. He was more than willing to offer his opinion on matters, but he had never stepped into pushing disrespectfully once Megatron made it clear he had made up his mind.

But this wasn't the past. Megatron had abandoned the Decepticons. Abandoned him.

The rage he had been suppressing since that time finally boiled over and came out in the form of Soundwave's fist meeting the side of Megatron's face. He knew it wouldn't do anything. Hell, if Megatron even felt it he would be surprised. But it was satisfying. "Do not patronize me! You're so called 'adjustment' has been to abandon those who relied on you. If you wished for individuals like Tarn to be able to adjust to a post-war environment you should have been there to see to it!"

Soundwave's vents hissed loudly as he took a step back, trying to reel himself in. He hadn't actually come here with the intention of punching Megatron and chewing him out. He needed to focus. "No more. Tarn is no worse than you are, and you are going to see to it that he is given the same chance to live as you were."

The hit lands squarely on his face, forcing his head to the side but otherwise getting no reaction. A hand meekly goes up to touch it to inspect the damage. He can feel energon seep into his mouth from the wounded mesh beneath the dermal plates, and distantly wonders if it will ever be allowed to finish healing. The outside seemed fine.

Once Soundwave's fist leaves his face, he turns to face him again, looking tired at the argument more than anything. He's not even angry about being struck. Not by Soundwave.

"I don't know if I could have changed if I stayed," he says wearily, though an oddly warm happiness enters his eyes,"Those fools on the Lost Light helped me regain the taste for peace. It is not something that can be forced or commanded, it needs to come from the spark."

"I will make sure Tarn gets that same chance."

He'll probably be annoyed later that Megatron hardly even flinched at being punched in the face by him. Sure, right now it was cathartic, but later it would just be a reminder that there was no one here who could physically outmatch Megatron. It was the same with Galvatron and Optimus. It was more than frustrating at the best of times.

That weariness might have drained some of his anger, but the flicker of happiness? He could feel everything in his body tense. Megatron was happy being around that crew of obnoxious children? Some of who clearly hated him? Deep down he knew the feeling likely wasn't anger, but he quickly channeled it into that. Focus. There were more important things to be addressed here.

"Your promises are meaningless to me," The words came out evenly, "Even if you truly wish to give Tarn a chance to change, your Autobots do not. They made that much clear at his trial." Soundwave stepped closer again, though this time it was only to press his hand against the Autobot badge against the former warlord's chest. It was still there - the space bridge Shockwave built. Damaged, but the same as the ones the Autobots on Earth had. "You are their captain and as such I will hold you responsible for their actions." He stepped back again, towards the door, "Should Tarn be harmed by you, or them in any serious way, I will activate your Space Bridge and let it devour this ship whole."

Megatron doesn't look particularly intimidated by the threat, even though he knows Soundwave has the means and the will to go through with it.

Time and time again, the Space Bridge Shockwave had installed in his body was being used as a tool for someone else's machinations, and he was starting to get rather sick of it. Had he not fought enough for his own autonomy?

As much as he trusted the Decepticon, he feels his expression harden defensively. Soundwave's arm simply gets pushed away from his body.

"I don't think it will come to that."

He doesn't expect for Megatron to look worried. Of all the people to threaten Megatron, Soundwave was pretty low on the list of intimidating, even if he is completely capable of going through with his plan. This worthless ship they got brought to was nothing more than a means to get home. Nothing and no one in it was worth so much that he would let the Autobots walk all over Tarn or himself.

Soundwave doesn't resist his arm being shoved away, "That is entirely up to you."

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Sometimes you just gotta punch someone in the face

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are you read for a.. NECROTAG

Only if it isn't as terrible as the Necrobot's world turned out