Transformers: Honor and Loyalty

Chapter 2: The One All Decepticons Fear

A pair of Vehicons make their usual patrol on a dimly lit Decepticon warship. It's a rather thankless, dull task, yet they never shirk their responsibility as the occasional cry of torture would remind them what would happen should they falter for even a moment. The fear of what their commander is capable of far outweighs their boredom.

As they turn a corner, they suddenly snap to attention, backs on opposite sides of the hall to make way for who is coming, Soundwave. One of the highest-ranking Decepticons and the head communication officer. As he passes the Vehicons, they notice he isn't alone. He is followed by a surly, slightly larger Cybertronian with a sword on his back. The two have to do a double-take to register who it is.

"Is that Bludgeon?" One asks his companion when the officer and assassin are out of hearing range.

"I've heard of him. Top assassin. Never fails any mission given to him." The other replies, nodding, then he shakes himself. "C'mon. We've got patrol to finish."

Bludgeon follows Soundwave through the ship, but when they arrive at a marked door, he falters for a moment. "I do not like this." He confesses in a low voice.

In front of him, Soundwave stops walking, turning his head slightly. "Deadlock has betrayed the Decepticons," He replies in a monotone voice. "and you are the most suited to find him."

Bludgeon takes a step forward as Soundwave stands calmly, watching his every move. He had been blindsided by Deadlock's betrayal and didn't know how to feel about hunting someone he considered a brother, but he knows better than to verbalize that to Soundwave, especially considering who they are about to meet with, so he squares his shoulders gruffly. "I know what must be done. And I am willing to administer the punishment as needed. I simply do not like the idea of having to work with... him."

At this, Soundwave turns to face Bludgeon. He understood his reluctance, after all. Every Cybertronian had heard horror stories of torture and brutality surpassing even that of Megatron. But even still...

"Dealing with traitors like Deadlock is their specialty," Is all Soundwave says before turning back to the door. "And while I question his methods, the Justice Division has never failed once." With that, the door opens, and Soundwave walks through. Bludgeon begrudgingly follows him into what looks like an office. There isn't much but a desk, a single light, and a viewport to look out at the stars.

Standing in the shadows in front of the viewport, a large hulking figure stood staring at the stars, hands folded behind his back. He seems not to acknowledge the two entering, instead enraptured by the music that is playing in the room. Bludgeon recognized the music but couldn't recall the name until Soundwave spoke.

"'The Empyrean Suite'. Eucryphia, written back during the time of the original Primes." Soundwave drones, almost sounding bored.

The figure chuckles lightly. "For all the archives you keep, of all the transmissions and intel you gather, I must admit, I'm surprised you would keep any knowledge of classical music." The figure admits in a cold, sophisticated voice. "And yet, if you're here, then that must mean someone's betrayed our cause."

Soundwave steps up to the desk and switches off the music before he begins playing a recording. "This is Decepticon Deadlock. I am trying to reach Optimus Prime."

The figure slowly turns and steps into the light, revealing the Decepticon symbol in place of a face. Despite his pride, even Bludgeon couldn't help the cold chill he felt on finally seeing him, nearly recoiling backwards.

Tarn.

The leader of the Decepticon Justice Division, a black ops group of the most brutal and violent hunters under Megatron's command. Once you end up on their "List" you are as good as dead. Even though rumors persisted that the group went through several members, Tarn was by far the most terrifying. Decepticon gossip says is his zealotry for the Decepticons is so great that it not only granted him a high position, but he also wore their symbol as a mask to display his loyalty. No one knows where he came from, except Megatron.

As Soundwave continued to play the message, Tarn simply stood there, listening. When the message ended, Tarn spoke. "I always knew one day that he'd turn on our glorious cause. He was never Decepticon material." At this, Bludgeon suddenly surges forward, only for Soundwave to raise his arm to stop him. Tarn didn't even flinch and only gave Bludgeon a quick glance before turning his attention back to the communications officer. "When did you get this recording?"

Soundwave lowers his arm and answers. "Laserbeak was patrolling the shipyards on Cybertron and discovered all the guards there had been killed. I went to the scene and pulled up the launch files for the escape pods. One had been launched the night before. I was able to hack into the communication network for that pod to discover what had happened."

Tarn begins pacing around the office. "And this 'valuable intel' he stole, do you happen to know what it was?" Soundwave holds up a data cylinder, handing it to Tarn. Tarn turned around and switched it on. Bludgeon couldn't see what it was, but by the way Tarn stopped pacing, he could tell it was something big. Deactivating the cylinder, Tarn turns to face the assassin. "And what's his role in this, if I may inquire?"

Bludgeon growled softly but goes silent as Soundwave shoots a glance at him. "Bludgeon is the best authority on how Deadlock operates. He knows all his skills, tactics, how he thinks. He will be joining you on this mission."

Tarn slowly steps up to Bludgeon. He looks him over before slowly walking around the assassin, assessing him. "So, you're the infamous assassin?" Tarn probes. Bludgeon doesn't respond. Tarn finally makes his way back to the front of Bludgeon. "Tell me," he says, "Why should I trust you to help us? What reason do I have to believe you won't betray us?"

Bludgeon shifts quietly. And then, in a sudden movement, he pulls his sword out and points it at Tarn. Soundwave just as quickly pulls out his blaster to retaliate, but Tarn calmly places his hand on the sword in his face and lowers it, all the while keeping eye contact with the assassin. The two stare each other down, Tarn practically daring Bludgeon to do something.

After a tense moment, Bludgeon flips his sword, so that the handle is pointing at Tarn. The Decepticon looks down at it, then back to Bludgeon as he speaks. "My allegiance is true. If I betray the Decepticons, you have my full permission to do what is necessary."

Soundwave looks back to Tarn. Even though he couldn't see his face, Soundwave knew Tarn was smiling under that mask. "Deal." he replies coldly. Bludgeon returns the sword to its sheath as Tarn returns to his spot by the viewport. "Do you have any idea where my quarry will be headed, Soundwave?"

The Decepticon in question pulls up a holographic image of the galaxy and zooms in on a singular planet.

"Destination trajectory: Earth."