Author's Notes: This AU idea came to me just a couple days ago, but I liked the idea so much I decided to just go ahead and start writing! I'm actually posting the first two chapters at once because the prologue here is so short. Also, I want to thank RenegadeStarscream for coming up with the title for this fic. I hope you guys enjoy this story, and please feel free to leave a review :)

Prologue

Free

Knockout wiped off a test tube with a cleaning cloth before gently setting it back in place. His medbay looked pristine even if it was difficult to tell in the dim lighting of the Nemesis. Knockout silently wondered once again why warships always had to look so dreary. Oh well, no matter. As long as he kept himself busy everything would turn out fine. At least, that was what he always told himself.

Breakdown had been gone for three joors, or in earth terms 18 hours. While it wasn't unusual for Breakdown to take his time when on a mission for Lord Megatron, this was longer than usual, and Knockout couldn't help but notice. It was almost time for the big lug to recharge, and Knockout didn't want to have to stay up longer than necessary to wait up for him.

Knockout got out a floor buffer and started wiping away the pede prints left by that day's patients and huffed as he thought about what would happen if Breakdown was gone for much longer. Knockout was tired and didn't want to stay up all night, but at the same time he knew he couldn't recharge until Breakdown came back.

The medbay doors opened, and Knockout turned off the buffer and turned around; expecting to see Breakdown soiled and injured from the day's events. Instead he saw Dreadwing, and the navy blue seeker scowled even deeper than usual.

Oh great, what did I do to frag off the new guy? Knockout wondered as he made his way to the large wide-winged mech.

"Can I help you?" Knockout asked as he shifted on his hip; a practiced move that conveyed his disinterest and confidence.

"Knockout, I am here to deliver some rather grim news," Dreadwing replied; his tone somber and...what was that? Apologetic? "Earlier today Breakdown was tasked with accompanying me on an errand for Lord Megatron. We were to kill the traitorous SIC Airachnid, however she outran and outwitted us. Breakdown was killed while pursuing her. I am so sorry for your loss, Doctor."

"Where's the body?" Knockout asked in forced clipped tones; glaring up at the much larger Dreadwing.

"Well, the body was not recovered," Dreadwing admitted reluctantly, "We searched for hours, but have not been able to locate him. We believe he might have been-"

"I will not believe Breakdown is dead until I have his body," Knockout cut him off, "Find him, even a single piece of him, and I will believe you. I don't care if you have to bring back his severed head, I won't believe he's really gone without proof!"

"Knockout, I understand your pain," Dreadwing said in a rare moment of sympathy, "I too have lost someone important to me. My twin brother Skyquake was killed by an Autobot, and I live with that anguish every cycle."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Knockout replied tersely, "But you do not understand what I'm feeling, and that has nothing to do with the fact that you lost Breakdown's body! Now, if you have no further business here, then I need to get back to cleaning the medbay for tomorrow's patients. Good day."

Dreadwing turned to go, but before he did he turned around and said "Just so you know, I was named second in command in Airachnid's place."

"Congratulations," Knockout replied insincerely, "May the position be kinder to you than it was to Starscream and Airachnid."

Dreadwing left without another word, and Knockout let out an intake he didn't even realize he'd been holding. He walked over to the counter and leaned on it with both hands spread out. He just couldn't believe it. Breakdown was gone. No, it couldn't be true. He needed that body to make sure.

Knockout just stood there for a moment registering what had happened, and then trying to determine how he felt about it. Part of him was upset that Breakdown had died in such a brutal fashion, but that part was quickly suppressed. Then he realized how he truly felt. A smile crept over his face plate when he realized what this meant for him. He was free. Finally free. No more Breakdown. No more anguish. No more abuse. No more humiliation. No more Breakdown!

He looked up at the ceiling as if to thank a divine being, and then locked up the medbay for the night. He went into Breakdown's room first, and flipped over the berth and laughed hysterically. He knocked Breakdown's possessions onto the floor and kicked them into a messy pile! He felt absolutely giddy as he ripped old photos off the wall and broke a table lamp. Knockout hadn't even realized it, but he had wanted to do that for vorns!

Once his path of destruction was over, he casually walked to his own room and layed down on his berth. He knew that for the first time in millennia he would recharge peacefully. He was finally safe. He was finally free of Breakdown forever. It had only taken 5 thousand years...