It was a tragic day for Cybertron. Ever since Megatron succeeded in controlling the space bridge he had forged in Earth, he led his army into victory by attacking while the Autobot's were scattered and lost without their Magnus's guidance.
Optimus and his repair crew were helpless to stop them as they were tied and cuffed. They became the very first Autobots to be captured and imprisoned until the Decepticon's victory.
Optimus ended up being separated from the others, much to his consternation. He knew their chances were not good, it would be enslavement or execution no doubt, but he still wanted to be there, protect them somehow. Tell them that no matter what, he was proud of their achievements, they had faced the Decepticons down, including Megatron and held them at bay.
He had no idea what was happening outside his cell, surprisingly his jailers had not gloated much beyond glee at having won. But no details had been forthcoming and that made him more nervous. If they had simply told him what was going to happen to him and his crew, that would have been one thing. He could mentally prepare for his fate but they hadn't.
Maybe it was deliberate, a way to torture him.
And much stranger was Optinus's new cell was actually more like a padded room. He could lay down comfortably and actually fuel since in a corner was a stack of energon cubes but he still had stasis cuffs that dampened his movements and reactions to things.
The young Prime stayed here for a day or two until suddenly the door to the room opened to reveal two new mech's he had never seen before but could tell one of them was a medic from the tools he carried and stance.
He stiffened, watching them warily even though there was not much he could do against them. However, he could still take advantage of any opportunity presented to him.
"So this is him?" the medic stated, looking him up and down. "Lie down."
"What for?" questioned Optimus. "What is your purpose here?"
The red mech rolled his optics and sighed in irritation.
"I'm here to give you a full systems check and anything else that needs to be done," He answered.
"Think I need to make him?" The blue mech behind the red questioned.
"No," the medic stated, raising a hand. "Not unless he resists."
Optimus squinted at him.
"I guess I'm not being executed then," he said mildly. "Otherwise it would be a useless exercise."
"You're not being executed," the medic snorted. "Now lie down or Breakdown will make you."
Optimus narrowed his optics in suspicion but very slowly lowered himself down to the floor but stayed sitting up so he could watch them as they stepped further into the room and to him.
Breakdown looked mildly disappointed that Optimus was cooperating. The medic simply got to work, performing what appeared to be a normal systems check but still, Optimus knew there was something more to it. His instincts were screaming at him this very thought.
"Any significant trauma?" the medic suddenly asked.
"Nothing unusual," Optimus said slowly. "I trained as an Elite. Although I was in status for fifty stellar cycles due to a shuttle crash."
"Hmm," the medic said, performing some more tests. He seemed to be looking for something, or wished to confirm something, Optimus couldn't tell.
"Have you seen my crew?" he suddenly asked.
"Which ones?" The medic questioned.
Optimus raised a brow.
"What do you mean which ones? There is only one here...right?" Optimus said.
Breakdown snickered and looked at the medic.
"Looks like he doesn't know Knockout. There are more Autobot's here now that Lord Megatron rules Cyberteon now. All going through the same process as you or your crew you were stationed with," Breakdown explained.
"Process?" repeated Optimus, trying not to let dread overcome him.
"Oh yeah," laughed Breakdown. "Lord Megatron's pretty inventive."
"He is our glorious leader," the medic, Knockout intoned, eyeing Optimus. "How in Primus's name did an Autobot like you defy him?"
"Quite easily at times," Optimus shot back, causing them to stare at him before Knockout burst out laughing.
"Ah hah, now I understand why Lord Megatron chose you, yes indeed," he stated thoughtfully.
Optimus was starting to get very irritated by knowing what they were talking about and was about to demand more answers when suddenly the door to the room opened again.
Both Mechs fell instantly silent as they too sensed the door opening and somehow, knew exactly how it was. In all his glory, Megatron stood there, filling up the entire doorway until he stepped into the room.
"Knockout, how is your check up going?" he asked in his deep rich voice, optics finding Optimus's and smiling.
"Very well, my lord," the medic quickly said.
"Good. Does he have the proper programming and equipment I require?" Mehatron questioned further.
Knockout cleared his throat and nodded.
"Yes sire, I just need to activate it and he will be ready," The medic explained.
"Activate what?" Optimus demanded, using his best officer's voice. "Whatever you're planning Megatron, I want to know."
"Of course you do," chuckled Megatron amused by his demeanour. "It will become clear soon enough, little Prime."
Optimus glared at him, still couldn't get his name right.
With a deep throated chuckle, Megatron turned his attention back to Knockout.
"Activate the equipment and check it is working properly before sending him to me," He ordered before he turned and exited the room.
"Of course my lord," Knockout called after him before turning back to Optimus. "Well, we'd better do as he says."
Optimus now frowned at him.
"Don't look at me like that, you should be honoured that lord Megatron chose you," the medic chided.
"I'm sure you would be in my position," scoffed Optimus while wondering what the medic meant. Chosen for what?
Optimus sat still as Knockout hooked him up to a data pad and while he typed something into it and read its results. While he worked, Breakdown watched Optimus closely to make sure he didn't try anything funny.
Soon want felt like an hour, Knockout smiled when the pad pinged. And right after it pinged Optimus started to feel strange, and inside of his chest started to tingle and feel sore.
"Uhh," he grunted, wanting to rub it but the cuffs made that difficult. Whatever Knockout had done, did not feel good and he was not happy.
"Excellent, our lord will be pleased," Knockout said in satisfaction, it was never good to tell Megatron bad news. "Nice and healthy, perfect."
"Is he ready yet?" Breakdown questioned.
"In a moment," Knockout replied. "Give it some time."
"What have you done to me?!" Optimus couldn't stand it any longer and demanded.
Knockout and Breakdown didn't even flinch from his outburst. The medic only smirked and reached up to tap Optimus's chest plates.
"I just activated your carrier programming. We know you can nurse sparkling and you're going to need that with that Megatron has planned," The medic answered.
As Optimus gaped at him, he added thoughtfully.
"It may feel a little tender but it will pass. All you need is good quality fuel and you'll be good to go."
"Megatron insane if he thinks I'm going to carry for him," snarled Optimus.
Knockout smirked and chuckled.
"Oh I believe Lord Megatron can be very persuasive but what he has planned for you, you won't be sparked up like you think."
"Then what is the point of activating my carrier programming?" Optimus said in exasperation. "And why is he interested in my ability to nurse sparklings?"
"Ah ah, that would spoil things," Knockout said, wagging a finger at him. "I think Lord Megatron would much prefer to explain it to you."
"Can we go now?" Breakdown demanded.
"Yes we can. Think you can handle him?" The medic asked, jabbing a thumb into Optimus direction.
"Sure," Breakdown said with a leer at Optimus who glared right back.
"Just remember, he's lord Megatron's," warned Knockout, gesturing for Optimus to stand.
"I know that," the other stated with a shrug. "I ain't gonna do anything Lord Megatron wouldn't like."
Optimus couldn't fight or struggle as he was hauled to his feet and shoved towards the door while Breakdown followed close behind while holding onto the link between his cuffs.
Optimus stumbled slightly but managed to find his footing. He grimaced, he was not in great condition to attempt an escape but he was not going to rule it up. Things could easily change in an instant and he needed to be prepared for anything that could occur.
"Come on now," Breakdown chided him, hurrying him as fast as the cuffed bot could go. "Lord Megatron's waiting."
"He's used to it," Optimus shot back, thinking with satisfying amusement at how Megatron had been a head in Professor Sundac's lab.
Breakdown growled and shoves Optimus sharply in warning to watch his tone about his leader.
"Or what?" Optimus could not resisting asking.
Breakdown grabbed him and spun him round.
"Or you'll regret it," he growled into the Prime's face.
But Optimus wasn't intimidated and only glared back.
"It can't be anything worse from Megatron has promised," He scoffed.
Breakdown smirked.
"Yeah, I guess that's right."
"Breakdown," Knockout said in warning to his partner, knowing how Megatron temper can be if one of his orders isn't obeyed.
"Yeah, yeah," the other said, disappointed he couldn't do anything but mollified in the knowledge that this upstart Autobot would be getting his just reward soon enough. "Get going."
They continued onwards and eventually, arrived at Megatron's quarters.
"Here you go, enjoy," sneered Breakdown, shoving him inside.
What is instore for Optimus and the rest of the Autobots. Find out in the next chapter.