This is great!
I hope you will still attend to this story, it has so much potential and I love how you focus on the prewar Cybertron. Also, I always loved Soundwave and Ratbat, sadly they dont get much attention.

Ah, riots and more riots! The Golden Era wasn’t that Golden after all, huh? I love to imagine how things were in that ‘ideal’ time, the fact that we are talking about fictional universe only making it more intense, especially because associations with real, human life can’t be avoided.

Senator Ratbat’s fall has started; it did ever since the moment he rebuilt Soundwave. Ratbat is intelligent for sure, but he lacks of patience and allows his emotions to dominate him, a mistake when dealing with someone as cold and controlled as Soundwave, who is also a telepath. As trained as Ratbat thinks he has his assistant, Soundwave can always bite back, and not precisely returning one simple hit to the head. Ah, I can see the events of ‘Megatron origin’ approaching! Your story fits so well, a true prequel of the comic.

The relationship between Soundwave and Ratbat is so full of subtleties, and yet so raw. Ratbat may not have known it, but he was teaching Soundwave valuable lessons that would help to create the Soundwave we all know today. What better way to learn about manipulation, blackmail and cruelty than receiving them in the flesh? The crumbs of affection only accentuated how dysfunctional Ratbat and his underling were together. Soundwave may have remained silent, but he was assimilating everything, learning.

Oh, I can’t wait to know for the moment in which Soundwave will say his price. I wonder if Senator Ratbat can hear the slow countdown…

As always, these chapters are a delight to read. More, please!

I was so happy when I saw you updated! This is one of the best stories I’ve found in this site, such a fresh and yet canon respectful vision about the beginnings of one of the best characters ever, and the first one that manages to catch his early days without breaking the strict walls of his personality.

Wow, Ratbat’s anguish has a lot to do with his god’s complex. If he would have only known what he was creating, he would have preferred keeping his angst instead. One of the best moments of ‘Megatron origin’ was when Soundwave made a certain decision and took certain actions concerning his mentor… and your story clicks so good there, adding pieces that I can completely see in that puzzle.

And welcome Ravage, the real Ravage! We saw how Frenzy and Rumble came to be Soundwave’s Cassettes in the comic, but I was wondering what you have planned for Ravage, especially considering his previous, lifeless version.

I was also amazed by the way you introduced a certain console… Alex Milne should draw this story! Of course, there was no way for Senator Ratbat to know what he was doing by providing Soundwave with the biggest weapon of all. But we thank him for that. Once the master of information started to feed, there was simply no way to stop him.

“If knowledge was power, then the ultimate weapon of Cybertron was at their fingertips.”

This, my friend, was REALLY inspiring!

So it was the way you got into Soundwave’s mind. I loved how you described his eagerness to serve and equaled it to his survival’s instinct. We all know what happened once Soundwave found a real master to serve… ah, but things are to happen before that, and I just love the way you narrate them.

Such a great chapter for a great story. I hope you will continue soon!

Great chapter! Wow, it's been SO long since this fic was updated I was psyched to see it updated! :D

There are so many things I love about this story. The way you manage to create a very realistic image of the Cybertronian society prior to the war, the wonderful development of characters from the IDW universe, your very peculiar and attractive writing…

As many, I thoroughly enjoyed “Megatron origin”; its only defect was being so short. But your story gives satisfaction to that side of us that wants more and more. It doesn’t fill the gaps, but does much more, creating the believable and complex universe in which that comic took place.

In this chapter you succeeded again, continuing to build the machinery of this story, and this time through secondary characters. That is the mark of a good writer, my friend. You continue to deliver great quality chapters and I am one who follows your work closely.

Soundwave’s apparent death is very suspicious; there is no limit to corruption in Cybertronian politics (like another planet we all know…) I don’t dare to state a theory because you are full of surprises, but certainly Ratbat’s ethics are very poor. Please don’t take too long to update. Leaving a story in this kind of cliffhanger is a big responsibility you know…

Having just become very fond of Senator Ratbat & his relationship with Soundwave from the Megatron Origin comics, I'm very happy to have stumbled upon a fic featuring him and Soundwave.

You've set up a wonderful background with the two of them. From the etiquette lessons to the Senator expressing affection.

Along with many other wonderful things; I look forward to future chapters.

Thank-you!

So Ratbat does care for him.. aww. XD

Heh, Soundwave's speak patterns are interesting when he speaks informally.. cute. Ah, and now he shall get his Ravage..

Awwh, so mean to Soundwave. XDD

Ooh, I loved that comic! And Ratbat and Soundwave really intrigued me.. Awesome subject for a fic!

Heh, kid Soundwave is cute.. and as spooky as ever.

I love how Soundwave’s telepathic abilities are manifestating, and how, even though his convalescence, he is already starting to using to manipulate other’s minds. I smell the “Megatron origin” universe in every one of your lines, your descriptions are that vivid. Also, I can’t imagine Soundwave having other childhood than this one. He practically took over that wing of the medical facility for himself, and at such young age… there he is, the Decepticon master telepath giving his first steps.

Once again you did a great job with Ratchet, not only with his attitudes but with the way his subordinates address him.

I loved how you introduced Ravage, existing in Soundwave’s mind before entering his life.

This is my favorite chapter so far. It shows so much about Soundwave’s personality. I guess that, as it happens with humans, the first years of life are the ones that define a character.

Great job!

Ha cute, Ravage is his imaginary pet kitty. It's funny how your fic is closer to the comic book canon then most.

Ah you updated! I can’t tell you how happy finding the good news in my inbox made me. I had been waiting for this chapter and the wait was worth it.

You did an excellent job describing the aftermath of the disaster through Ratbat’s optics. I loved the way you kept Soundwave’s face unknown, destruction taking the place of his shattered facemask. Even though details like this, that don’t have to do with his direct actions or decisions, you kept him on character all the time and maintain that aura of mystery and stoicness around him. That is something to applaud!

Hey, nice way to introduce Ratchet. Funny to picture him young, but ever since then he had that grumpy personality of his, totally loved it!

I also thank you for showing Soundwave out of his barriers, the child acting as such without losing his characteristic personality. The appearance of the future Decepticon was amazing; the blackmailer forging the personality that will make him famous and feared.

Yeah! Ravage is coming!

Thank you for keeping up this story. Already looking forward to more!

Oh...poor Soundwave! The physical injuries, not to mention the feeling of abandonment he felt when Ratbat wasn't there, must be an incredible elixir of pain and suffering. I just want to hug him!

But, as 'bad' as that suffering is, it does highlight some personality traits in Soundwave that I really, really like. First, his bravery. Although he voices his unhappiness at the fact that Ratbat was 'too late', not once do we hear him complain about the incredible pain he must be in. Whilst such complaints may come later (being a sparkling I think it would be fair to expect some level of 'weakness'), he has already demonstrated the kind of strength and control the older version of his character is known for.

Second, oh, I can't tell you how happy I was to see that blackmailing, opportunistic streak of his come out! It's one of my favourite things about Soundwave, one of his defining qualities; and yet it's one of the least explored character traits. Thank you for bringing out the blackmailer in him – I hope Soundwave gets his robo-feline! Yay Ravage :D

Finally, as I think I have mentioned before, I don’t really know the IDW version of Ratbat very well at all. As such, it’s hard to know if he is in character or not, but the conflict he is feeling; the guilt, the fear, the relief; it’s so very tangible and realistic. Personally I wouldn’t care if someone told me he was completely OOC for the IDW universe; I really like the Ratbat you are portraying.

Please update soon, I’m really looking forward to more :D

I just stumbled upon this story, and what a delight :) It has such an old world quality to it that reminds me of the days of men in powdered wigs being so formal in their politics and daily lives.

What a wonderful fit for Soundwave's beginnings! He almost reminds me of an Autistic child, obsessed with order and little detail but with no real social skills. You've captured a wonderful element with this story and I will look forward to more.

I love the way you are portraying Soundwave; his character is so inquisitive, so observant, and yet, the signs of his infamous self-control and emotionless facade are already beginning to show; it's fascinating to read.

Actually, I think it is the fact that we are seeing those 'weaknesses' of youth united so well with the 'elder' character we know so well that really grabs me... Stealing objects just so he can hear the sounds they make, wandering off to look at artworks: they are the mistakes of childhood and yet they show the level of perception I have always imagined Soundwave to have. Beautifully done.

And a cliff-hanger ending…oh no, I hope little Soundwave is ok, he is so cute!

Minor criticism in that there are some errors in the use of tense, but despite that it does read well.

I'm really enjoying the way your fic is progressing and I can't wait for more!(By the way, I hope that your tests and assignments went well, enjoy your break!)