Where others saw monsters, Shockwave saw potential. He was a scientist, after all. There were species far less advanced than them, absolutely, but that did not mean they could not succeed in other areas that Cybertronians could not. Their species was rather adaptable, and evolution over the millions of years had its place. They were still living, sentient beings with bodies that were not always in their control. Sentio metallico was a very complex material.
What their people thrived at, though, was survival. They were resilient as ever, and Shockwave was living proof of that, as he’d been stripped head to pede, his spark still active and maintained. Oh yes, the aches and pains smothered him at times, but his spark was very much still alive, even without being attached to a physical body. No doubt Blacktip and his Seacons had their own, especial ways to survive and evolve–as such was proof of the depths that they could dive without being entirely crushed by the pressure around them.
He would have to ask if he could study their materials so he could potentially replicate it and have drones that could scour the seas more. He didn’t expect Blacktip to remain taking missions constantly for him.
“Infighting is left for lesser minds,” he noted nonchalantly. All Decepticons should have been on the same page, considering what Megatron stood for, but it seemed the longer this war waged, the more people fought just for the sake of killing. Shockwave cared little for that, it was wasted life and wasted potential. But the bodies did prove to make good tools for his experiments.
Shockwave’s hands remained behind his back, a little wing flare there or the twitch of an antennae to show he was listening (and reacting).
“I see,” he noted, his optic back on the Sharkticon. “A shame.” His hand rose as he rubbed at his chin. “Your team is well organised and led, despite some of the youth. I have seen far less willing Decepticon soldiers and officers.”
His hand fell, a partial sigh leaving the vents in his throat. Truth be told, it was nice to be away from Cybertron for a little while. Seacrest was a little loud and childlike in nature, but he was willing to help, and Blacktip was a good commanding officer. The company could be worse. Starscream taunted him and Soundwave lurked in the shadows. Megatron’s company was about the only he cared to have when he was inside his lab back in Tarn.
“I would be interested in studying your alloy,” he then said. “I believe the Decepticon cause could greatly be aided by it.”
And yet, Shockwave would occasionally find the Sharkticon absent from the ship when the crew were ordered out on dives, scouting and patrols. Shockwave’s presence was new, but old habits died hard. Blacktip garnered the respect and loyalty of his crew from carrying out the same tasks they were frequently instructed on. All, or Nothing. If he himself would not go out on a mission, or saw no victory from it, he would hardly expect his crew to do so. Cannon fodder, to many, of simple minds, but not his. In all but locations, his crew were Cybertronian, and priceless to the repopulation of Cybertron, if only in residents. Until such a time as Cybertron could be classified a home for them, he wasn’t loosing one more member of his crew.
“These are also the same minds that create loyal decepticon’s in bulk, and proceed to treat them as nothing more than a meat shield for the mech behind them in oncoming fire.” Blacktip rumbled idly, regarding the mech curiously at all their subtle little motions. Someone’s mental cogs were whirring.
He does, however, give an off guard little sound of amusement at Shockwave’s comment of studying him. Welp, guess he owed Echo 50 shanix. He’d bet it would take the mech at least a few more days before popping the question.
“Alright, I’ll bite, I was waiting for it at some point in residing with us, but how exactly would you study my alloy, and in what quantity?” If Shockwave is looking to scrape a few filings off his armour and stick it under a microscope, or is he interested in more intensive testing. He was somewhat … Private about his DNA being used, let alone replicated. Especially with Shockwave’s achievements in cloning and resurrection of bygone beasties. Any other sharkticon, Shockwave could scrape and study to his spark’s content. His lineage? Hard pass.
“There is a whole planet worth of Sharkticon’s that would see recruitment drive as a chance for brawn, brains, and brunch if you are looking to bolster Decepticon numbers.”