One is Company, Two is a Shadow ++Soundwave x Reader++

13

         "There will be some irritation for the majority of a week." Knockout informed the war lord and silent Communications Officer as they stared at the unconscious (Y/N). Her eyelids were closed but no longer sunken into her skull. The only proof these new optics had not simply grown along with her was the silver line at the edges of her eyes, like metallic eyeliner.

         "What of the possibility of another episode?" Megatron questioned, having been made fully aware of the fluid buildup within (Y/N)'s skull.

         "Impossible, my liege." The medic was clearly proud of himself. "These far more advanced optics have been crafted to fit snuggly within that primitive protection humans call a skull. The lenses she had been previously sporting acted like intrusions in her brittle body and those secretions," the mech shivered, "was a natural reaction to expel that intruder."

         "And the power source?" Megatron asked after Knockout's unneeded explanation. The leader just wanted a 'yes' or 'no', not a medical report.

         "Ah, that-" Soundwave observed that the sports car was hesitant to elaborate. His power source couldn't be too difficult to find, but clearly the doctor was making things much harder than they needed to be. "I did find a way to power these optics, but there are two directions we could take."

         "Well spit it out then." Megatron was losing his patience more than expected today.

         "Well, I've found any other human source of energy is far too primitive to keep these optics running, even with their unnaturally small size, but a single drop of energon can last for at least two days. By single drop I do mean in human terms, which is-"

         "Spare me the details." The gladiator growled, and Knockout finally realized how close he was to getting his finish backhanded.

         "Of course. You see the energon won't come in contact with her brain or any organic part and can be administered through an eyedrop. The choice of which energon is simply up to you, lord Megatron."

     Finally intrigued with the concept, Megatron thought a moment. Clearly Knockout was referring to his dark energon. It seemed a far more dangerous option but if Knockout was brave enough (or stupid enough) to suggest it, he had a reason. 

     Now with a little less pompous gloating of his discoveries, Knockout showed his findings on the medical files of (Y/N) (L/N). The choice between energon and dark energon was developed because of a hunch, however, and Knockout had not tested it. Then again, it would not have been wise to test his theories. The medic speculated that by using dark energon, Megatron may have the ability to either track the human or see through her false optics. Both having dark energon, Megatron just might have a connection, but a lack of a living thing being powered by the dark energon may hinder that.

         "Even if you have no immediate connection, you'll be able to sense the dark energon within the optics at close range. But I'm afraid once the chosen power source is administered, it can't be switched with the secondary energon unless a whole new pair of optics are made."

     Megatron thought for a long moment or two before taking a glance at the human still sound asleep on the far too big medical table. Being able to track this human would bring them that much closer to finding the Autobots. But with only two shards of dark energon remaining, it would be a great hindrance to have to power this human's optics, even if one human drop of the dark liquified state was all it took to power one optic. If only he could find where Starscream had hidden the last shard, then he might have considered it. Alas, the Seeker was off on his own after Arachnid had failed to bring the Immobilizer back.

         "The idea is intriguing, Knockout." Megatron never gave much for praise. "Maybe for a later purpose, it can be used. However, with our current stock residing in me, your suggestion could be taken as rather treasonous."

     The sports car stuttered as he tried to defend himself. A miserable attempt, but Megatron knew the surgeon's suggestion was far from treasonous, as he had claimed to suspect. No, the tyrant only wanted to watch the mech suffer with the growing fear in his spark at the silence of his leader.

         "I trust the human will wake soon enough." Megatron began, as if he hadn't made any sort of accusation just moments before. "Then we will speak of what will happen after its sight is restored."

     The massive mech left, leaving Knockout with the silent TIC. Soundwave stared at the human, already knowing where his master and leader was leaving for. 

     She slept so peacefully, nearly death-like as her chest rose and fell in its odd, life-allowing rhythm. Knockout had questioned her about primary human functions, such as breathing or her heartbeat, brain function and ability. All these were well and good, but Soundwave found her breathing the most fascinating. 

     To lose brain function did not mean death in all cases. To lose heart function did not directly correlate with loss of limb or lack of any other function, sometimes they even just gave out without warning. Yet loss of breath halted all functionality. Three minutes without air could cause immense processor damage. Lack of oxygen within the bloodstream could cause organ damage as well as failure, a condition called Hypoxia or specifically, Hypoxemia. Such a fundamental of human needs yet so easy to take away from them. Puncture a lung, restrict air flow through their trachea, simply squeeze them tight enough so their diaphragm is not able to flex properly, or their ribs cannot stretch and allow the lungs to inflate. Three measly Earth minutes or more without the simple element and the entire species could become extinct. Cybertronians needed no such thing and therefore were stronger for it.

     (Y/N)'s falling and rising of her chest was interrupted as Knockout finished placing the last drop of energon into the optic, and she slowly woke from her dreams. Her eyelids fluttered open, optics glowing a natural energon blue as she glanced around, making no other movement. The woman's expression remained blank as she finally sat up, looked to Knockout, then locked gazes with Soundwave. The two were completely silent, the smaller adjusting the new sight with whirrs and clicks of the optics.

         "Well done, doctor." (Y/N) finally spoke, breaking her gaze with Soundwave. "I believe they work quite well. Are there any tests to be taken to ensure their functionality?"

     Deciding he was no longer needed, Soundwave left.