Different Wavelengths

See You

The sun hung high in the sky as the vehicons did their best to mine through the rock wall. Sometime after Shockwave began his experiment on the Predacons, a mysterious signal was reported near a large cliff face in the desert. Thinking that it could be a useful tool for the Decepticon cause, Megatron ordered a team to uncover the source of the signal and, if possible, extract it and bring it in for study. The vehicons toiled for many solar cycles until finally, a miner struck a hollow wall and a faint white light trickled through the little gap. There was no doubt in anyone's mind: something was in there!

Starscream, Megatron's not-so-loyal Second-In-Command, offered to retrieve the artifact, and the larger bot agreed...

On the condition that Soundwave and Shockwave went with to ensure he didn't try to run off with it or break it. The Seeker tried to protest but was quickly shut down by Megatron giving him a dark glare.

And so, the Communications Officer, SIC, and Decepticon scientist bridged down to the dig site to retrieve the artifact. When the three arrived, the vehicons immediately stood to attention. Starscream glanced around to ensure everyone was paying attention before pointing to one of the miners.

"You there!," he snapped. "What exactly are we dealing with?" "Some sort of white, glowing cube, commander," the drone replied, "All covered in gears and metal. Very strange." "Very well then," Said Shockwave, "We will go and extract the artifact for further research." The 'Cons descended deeper into the cave and located the cube in question, sitting on an ornate pedestal, unmoving and still glowing.

Starscream's wings fluttered in curiosity. He stepped forward to grab the cube but was stopped by Shockwave's servo moving in front of him. "I will retrieve the cube, Starscream. Please stand down." The Seeker sneered at the purple bot and tried to push his servo away. "Says who? I can do it myself! Now let me pass!"

"No," came Shockwave's calm reply.

"Curse you, Shockwave! Move!"

Starscream's voice began to pick up volume and pitch as he became impatient while Shockwave just stood there, refusing to let the SIC near the cube.

Soundwave stood in between the quarreling mechs and scanned the cube. Nothing too unusual about it, aside from some odd readings. Shockwave could examine it later.

He then turned to Starscream and tapped on his shoulder guards. As soon as the SIC turned to face him, Soundwave played back a recording of Meagtron's orders to the trio.

"When you get to the artifact, Starscream, you are to let either Soundwave or Shockwave carry it back."

Starscream glared at the spy before crossing his servos angrily. "Fine. Go get it then."

Shockwave lowered his servo and approached the cube. The fins on his helm wriggled as he examined it. The artifact was covered in a sort of bronze-like material, with an ornate pattern surrounding two gears, one on each side. Through the large gaps in the pattern, a soft glow radiated from the object. Shockwave did not detect anything potentially harmful and grabbed the cube off the pedestal. He rubbed his digits over the grooves in the pattern, fascinated by the craftsmanship.

Then one of the gears started moving. It was slow, but still unexpected. Shockwave's fins stood up in surprise. How interesting, he thought. Had touching the artifact activated it? Starscream peeked out from behind the scientist's massive shoulder to get a better look at the cube. Even Soundwave was curious, tilting his helm at the sight.

"What exactly is it doing?," Starscream asked. "Unsure," Shockwave replied, still keeping his optic on the cube. "This is intriguing. I must get this to the lab as soon as-"

whirr...

The second gear suddenly began to turn as well.

And then everything fell apart.

The cube released a shockwave that caused Shockwave to get thrown into Starscream, sending the duo flying backwards. Soundwave was also thrown back but he managed to slow himself by grabbing onto the rocks on the cave floor, keeping him closer to the artifact.

The gears on the cube began to spin out of control, the gentle whirring turning to a high-pitched reee.

The light began to glow even brighter to the point that it was blinding. The artifact began to shake wildly as it started floating in the air. Then, a bolt of electricity shot out of the cube, causing the miners to panic and flee.

It was, as Shockwave would put it, a logical reaction, but Megatron had given them their orders. The cube would be extracted regardless.

Soundwave looked up at the cube, his posture lacking any fear.

Operation: Extraction.

Refusing to falter, Soundwave tried to approach the artifact again. Shockwave groaned in pain as he sat up to see what was happening. He watched in both shock and awe as the white electricity snaked around Soundwave's body. The slender mech took out a data cable and grabbed the cube.

The electricity that expelled from the artifact came to life and began to immediately wrap around the spy as if it were some creature. Soundwave struggled against the 'tendrils' but to no avail. In mere seconds, the light swallowed him and a powerful force sent Shockwave and Starscream flying again.

Then, the cube stopped shaking and fell to the ground. The light dimmed and then faded away and the gears halted. The cave was quiet...

And Soundwave was gone.

Shockwave and Starscream rose as the miners returned to see what had happened. Shockwave shook his helm to dissipate the dizziness in his processor. "Soundwave! Status!"

No response. The scientist tried again. Nothing. The silence was unnerving. By this point, the vehicons knew full well what fate had befallen their TIC. One of them cleared his throat awkwardly.

"So... who's gonna tell Lord Megatron that his communications officer got sucked into a box?"