Transformers Prime *The Decepticon Femme* Optimus Love Story

Ch. 35 Between Chains and Freedom

NightWave POV

I was quickly dragged to a holding cell, while the familiar shadows of the Nemesis fell over me. The clang of the cell door echoed, sealing me into the dim, cold confinement. I sank onto the unforgiving metal floor, feeling the weight of the Nemesis pressing down on me from all sides. My spark ached, not just from the recent wounds, but from the dread pooling in my chest. I was back. Back in a place that held only pain and darkness.

I had no idea where they had taken Smokescreen, but the silence around me was almost unbearable. Every second stretched on, blurring hours and minutes until they became indistinguishable. I tried to focus, keeping myself steady, but every breath was tainted by the chill of captivity. My optics dimmed as I conserved my energy, though each pulse of pain from my side kept me awake to the raw reality of the situation.

At some point, minutes or hours later, I couldn't tell, a faint hum broke the silence outside the cell. My optics snapped open, instincts sharpening as I recognized the calculated, measured footsteps approaching. I watched the door slide open, and there he was, Soundwave, my older brother. He stood in the doorway, a tall, impassive figure shadowed in flickering lights, his blank visor making his expression unreadable.

": Soundwave... :" I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, unsure if it was anger, betrayal, or raw nostalgia that twisted in my spark. Part of me wanted to scream at him, to lash out for every wound his loyalty to Megatron had caused me, but I held back, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing my pain. He simply held my gaze, visor flickering faintly as if assessing me.

And without a word, he placed a small ration of Energon on the floor in front of me. For a moment, he lingered, his silent stare dissecting every inch of me. It almost seemed like he wanted to say something. I held my ground, refusing to show him any emotions. Finally, as quietly as he had come, he turned and left, the door sliding shut behind him with a finality that sent a cold shiver down my spine.

Time dragged on. I was exhausted, my mind adrift in memories of Optimus, of Halo, and the Autobots who had given me hope. Just as I began to close my optics, the stillness shattered with blaring alarms, red lights flashing in sync with the pounding in my chest. I tensed, my senses on high alert, wondering what was happening. I tried to listen and caught a faint hum sound. My optics widened as Smokescreen phased through the wall, materializing in front of me, a triumphant grin on his face, clutching two Omega Keys.

": Smokescreen! :" I gasped, relief and disbelief flooding over me.

"Surprised?" He smirked, holding up the Omega Keys like trophies. I couldn't believed my optics.

 "Let's just say I had a little fun with Knockout. Left him stuck halfway through a wall and, bonus points, snagged these right under Megatron's nose" He added. I smiled and despite the pain, a laugh bubbled up, my spark lifting at the sight of seeing him alright.

": Nice work. Let's get out of here:" I said, feeling a renewed strength with him beside me. He grinned, activating the phase shifter over his arm. Carefully, he used it to shift us through the walls and out of the cell. Together, we moved through the corridors, my memories of the Nemesis guiding us with each turn. Finally, we burst out onto the flight deck, the open sky stretching before us. Freedom was just within reach.

Until reality struck like a sharp jolt as I looked at Smokescreen. He didn't have a flying alt-mode, and even if I tried to carry him, it was impossible, since the weight would overwhelm my barely healed wing, straining the delicate repairs Ratchet had only completed a couple of weeks ago.

": Smokescreen... I... I don't know if I can carry you out of here:" I confessed, frustration bubbling up as I realized the monumental hurdle between us and freedom. He looked back at me, that unwavering determination glinting in his optics.