Author's Notes: I know this might be a little confusing at first, but Bumblebee's name changes to that of a different Transformer from this moment on. Also, I'm sorry this update took so long. Work has kept me busy as well as other fanfics, but I should have prioritized this fic more than I did. It's had nearly 400 views and 8 reviews just for the first chapter, which in my experience is pretty awesome. So, thank you so much for your support, and this fic is not dead ^_^'
Chapter 2
Triple Trouble
"Reflexes are optimal," Shockwave said dispassionately as he clicked a few keys on the computer terminal, "Now, transform."
The yellow mech before him transformed into a well-armored sports car, and Shockwave recorded how smoothly the transition took place.
"Primary transformation continues to be unaffected by the recent addition to the internal structure," Shockwave droned on, "Is there any discomfort or loss of physical integrity?"
"No," Shockwave's patient grumbled, "Can I go back to robot mode now? We've done this nine times! Nothing is going to go wrong during the demonstration. Trust me. I'm fine."
"Your emotional outbursts are illogical," Shockwave admonished him, "There is no pain or loss of integrity, therefore you are in good condition and have no reason to complain."
"But I'm booored!"
The yellow mech's whining was interrupted by the sound of an alarm on one of the console's main screens. Shockwave checked to see who had entered his inner sanctum, and just as predicted it was Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave. The Decepticon scientist turned off the alarm and put away his tools.
"Is it him?" Asked Shockwave's test subject.
"Yes. Lord Megatron is ahead of schedule," Shockwave replied, "Are you ready to show our master the new technology?"
"I was born ready!" The mech replied gamely.
Shockwave took that answer as a yes and left to greet Megatron, hoping that just this once he could trust that yellow headache alone in the lab.
After the sparkling formerly known as Bumblebee had been found by Megatron he had been given to Shockwave with instructions to raise him as a Decepticon warrior. Shockwave of course did as his master instructed, but he also frequently used the young mech as a test subject for his more questionable experiments. Since the mechling was of Autobot heritage no one would miss him if Shockwave accidentally killed him.
Unfortunately for Shockwave the mechling needed constant stimulation. He was curious, disrespectful of authority, and just generally sneaky. He would make a fine Decepticon once Megatron gave him a mission, and with his final upgrade completed that orn was drawing near. This was good news for Shockwave, since he wasn't sure how much more of the irritating little pest he could take.
"Shockwave," Megatron greeted the cyclops once he entered the waiting area, "This better be important. You called me away from a raid on Protohex. So, you have a new weapon to showcase?"
"Yes, Lord Megatron," Shockwave nodded his optic, "I have perfected an experiment that has been in the works for ten vorns now. I am sure you remember Project: Triple Changer."
"Ugh! That screwy idea?" Starscream scoffed, "The last mech you tried that on went so crazy it took ten of our best troops to finally put him down."
"I assure you this will not be another Blitzwing incident," Shockwave told the mouthy seeker, "I have used Wasp as a test subject and thus far he had suffered no ill effects from his new t-cog."
"Wasp? You used the youngling for this experiment?" Megatron asked, though Shockwave couldn't tell if he was angry or pleased by this news.
"Blitzwing was 425 vorns old when he underwent his transformation," Shockwave explained, "Wasp is only 16 vorns old and didn't have a final frame before the procedure. I added the dual t-cog into the frame before placing Wasp's spark inside. This allowed the transition to feel more natural than it would if an adult mech tried to relearn transformation with an untested t-cog."
"Well don't just stand there telling me about it," Megatron demanded, "Show me. Where is the mechling?"
Shockwave comm'ed Bumblebee, now Wasp, to enter the room. Megatron and company had expected the youngling to walk into the room, but instead a triangular yellow and black jet whizzed past them and then turned around to fly over their helms. The engines were a bit louder than a seeker's, but the flight maneuvers themselves were nearly seamless.
The jet then landed and transformed into robot mode, revealing Wasp.
"So, am I good or am I good?" Wasp asked cheekily as he struck a heroic pose for the crowd of four.
"Impressive," Megatron nodded approvingly, "Now transform into your ground mode."
Wasp felt a little pouty that Megatron wasn't more excited by his daring feats of flight, but he also knew this was no time to sulk. Not when the slagmaker was watching and judging his every move.
Wasp them transformed into his sports car alt mode and revved up his engine. He knew he didn't have to drive, but he wasn't about to miss a chance to impress an audience. He did donuts all over Shockwave's clean floor and came a mere few inches from running over Starscream's pede, which led to much cursing from the angry seeker. Wasp then curved back to where he started from and simultaneously transformed back into robot mode; pleased with himself for such a smooth drift.
"So, am I the greatest or what?" Wasp asked his fellow Decepticons.
"Brilliant," Megatron said, and Wasp smiled, "Shockwave, you have really outdone yourself this time."
Wasp's smile fell when he realized Megatron wasn't even listening to him. Deep down Wasp knew it was stupid to care what a bunch of old guys thought about him anyway, but these few precious moments of Megatron's time were all Wasp had in the way of social interaction. A more sentimental type would describe Shockwave as the only parent Wasp had ever known, but Wasp knew the pitiless scientist didn't love him. Nobody loved him. That was okay though. He was a Decepticon. He didn't need love. He needed validation. At least...that was what he told himself.
After a few more minutes of ironing out details the other Decepticons left, leaving Wasp alone with Shockwave once again. Goodbye showtime, hello boredom.
"Wasp, Megatron has given me instructions to increase your time in the training simulator," Shockwave informed his charge, "In 27 orns you are to report to the Nemesis to serve as an officer aboard the warship."
"An officer? Really? I get to work with Megatron and Starscream and Soundwave?" Wasp asked excitedly, "Yes! Yes yes yes yes yes! Finally! What can I pack and when do I leave?"
"You will report to the training simulator in 15 breems," Shockwave informed him with nowhere near the excitement level Wasp had, "We will work on your finesse and defensive maneuvers. You have speed and you know how to hit your enemy, but you still allow yourself to get hit too often for a satisfactory result. I would also suggest a cube of energon before we begin."
"Yes, Shockwave," Wasp sighed miserably; hating training with Shockwave's combat drones.
Wasp had to remind himself that it was only another couple dozen orns. Just a little while longer and then Wasp would be free. Wasp had spent his entire life locked away in Darkmount like some kind of shameful secret, and all he'd ever wanted was to be free and see the galaxy like other Decepticons could. He wasn't afraid of Autobots, and he wasn't afraid of getting hurt. He wasn't afraid of anything, and he would prove it. Soon Wasp would earn Megatron favor and be the greatest Decepticon warrior ever.
For two solid deca-orns Wasp had been forced through rigorous trials and obstacles to prepare him for anything Megatron might ask of him. Shockwave had introduced many new elements to Wasp's routine including stealth missions, ambushes, group fighting with the Vehicons, scavenger hunts, land mines, and drones that looked as big as Megatron. Needless to say, Wasp was frequently dented and exhausted when he went to recharge at night.
On this particular orn Wasp was sitting down trying to relax for once when Shockwave entered the room with a data pad. Wasp knew this meant he was going to have to train again, but he felt so sore and just wanted to rest.
"Come on, Shockwave!" Wasp whined, "I'm ready now. I can go to the Nemesis already! You don't have to keep doing this to me!"
"You are ready when I say you are ready," Shockwave replied coldly, "Tonight's test is one I've been saving for a while. Consider it your final exam."
"Let me guess, you're gonna set me on fire and see how long it takes me to locate a fire hose," Wasp groused sardonically.
"No, causing permanent injury to Megatron's newest recruit would be illogical," Shockwave replied without missing a beat, "Now, look at the data pad screen."
Wasp took the screen to see what was so special on there, and noted that it was a live camera feed to the dungeon below Darkmount. That was where Autobot prisoners were kept, but Wasp wasn't allowed down there. Of course he had been down there before to taunt the Autobots, but he wasn't allowed down there.
"Every exit to the building has been sealed," Shockwave explained, "For the moment, Darkmount is on total lockdown."
Shockwave then pushed a button on the data pad, and Wasp was surprised to see on the screen that a cell door had been opened. A small blue Autobot peered around the edge of the door, and upon seeing no guards decided to make a break for it.
"She cannot escape," Shockwave continued, "It is your job to hunt her down and kill her. Complete this test and you will be allowed to leave for the Nemesis."
"What? You couldn't get me a bigger one?" Wasp replied cockily, "I could rip that pit spawn apart with one servo welded to my back."
"Very well then," Shockwave said as he pushed a button to open the lab door, "Begin the hunt."
Wasp whooped as he ran out of the room and transformed into car mode, and Shockwave resisted the urge to sigh at his ward's antics. It was almost over, Shockwave told himself. Soon he would be rid of that showboating moron and be allowed to return to his other studies. Shockwave considered making more ferocious Predacons as his next project. No way could they be worse than Wasp.
This was a trap. Arcee knew this had to be a trap. No way would the prison door open for her for no good reason. She was never that lucky, and she knew Shockwave would be too careful to allow such a mistake to happen. No, the most likely conclusion was that Shockwave was testing her for some reason.
Well let him test, Arcee thought bitterly, I'll get out of here one way or another. Then we'll see who's the real moron around here.
Arcee remembered being dragged down this hallway when she was barely conscious after her capture. She knew the door was nearby, and yet she had seen no Vehicons or other guards in pursuit. Everything felt abandoned, and it put her on edge. She knew something big was going to happen, but she didn't know what.
She snuck around despite there being no one in sight. She didn't want the security cameras to spot her and alert Shockwave to her location. She knew the stories told about that unstable mech, and she knew that his experiments were beyond cruel and should be avoided at all costs.
When Arcee made it to the door she saw that it wasn't opening upon sensing her presence. She knew it wouldn't be that easy, so she felt the door for a weak spot she could blast through to make an exit for herself. She was fortunate to not be very large. She could make an escape the Decepticons wouldn't be able to follow her through, as long as she had enough time.
"You know Autobot, from this angle it looks like you're massaging the exit door," A smug sounding voice called out from the shadows of an adjacent hallway, "I have to say, I never thought I would be jealous of a piece of architecture."
Arcee sharply turned around to see what she was up against, and a yellow and black mech stepped into the light. He was taller than her, but not by much, and his large red optics and rounded helm made him look so...young.
"Who are you?" Arcee asked guardedly.
"Your executioner," The young mech replied easily, "I'm a fair mech though, so I'll give you a head start. Go on, run. I'm the fastest Decepticon alive, and I'll have you smashed into atoms before you can even scream."
Wasp never got tired of intimidation, and he never really much cared what the consequences would be. The blue femme growled loudly and charged him; her arms releasing twin blades as she attacked him! Wasp managed to shield his faceplate with his arms, but the femme's weapon had struck past his armor and his left arm started leaking energon.
"What the-? You glitch!" Wasp shrieked as he grabbed his bleeding arm to ebb the flow.
Arcee wasted no time with the enraged Decepticon and ran past him down the hallway. She could hear the yellow 'Con chasing her on foot, and she knew she would need to find a window to escape through.
Arcee transformed into motorcycle mode and sped through the halls as if Unicron himself was on her tail. She heard transformation behind her and used her rear view mirrors to determine what alt mode the stranger had. As good luck would have it the youngling turned into a car, a rare find among the Decepticons. Since each mech and femme could only choose one alt mode, most Decepticons chose flight whether they were proficient at it or not. It was still better than driving as far as most were concerned.
Arcee put the metal to the petal, but the Decepticon was quickly gaining on her. She turned and drifted wherever she could in an effort to lose the 'Con, but he could match her move for move. She wondered why this Decepticon had never been in battle before if he was so fast, and could only conclude he was probably a scientist or one of Shockwave's assistants or something.
Soon Arcee saw something ahead that could either spell her doom or her salvation. The next room after the hallway had no floor. It appeared to be a training room for seekers to practice flight maneuvers, and there was no safe place to land. This could work. Arcee revved up her engine, ready to jump the artificial gorge and leave that Decepticon upstart in the dust. She just hoped her smaller body meant she would jump further than him.
The room came up a fraction of a klik later, and Arcee gave it all she had as her alt mode leapt over the chasm. She was afraid she wouldn't make it and she would fall into the abyss below, but she also knew it was a kinder fate than what Shockwave had planned for her. After what felt like time in slow motion, Arcee landed roughly on the other side and slid to a stop. She transformed into robot mode, only to see a yellow jet flying over the chasm and straight toward her!
Too drained of energy to transform again, Arcee took off at a sprint. She didn't get far however before the jet flew in front of her and transformed into the yellow and black Decepticon!
"Unbelievable!" Arcee exclaimed in anger and shock, "You were a grounder. I saw you! What the scrap!?"
"Pretty impressive, huh?" The Decepticon asked haughtily, "Yep, I'm pretty much invincible. I'm a car, I'm a jet, and I'm a warrior. You know, you're a lot shorter than I thought you'd be. I've never seen a grounder femme before. Are they all as tiny as you, or did the Autobots just run out of building materials?"
"You've never seen a two-wheeler femme before?" Arcee asked in surprise, "It's a pretty common frame type."
"Well I've only ever met one femme before," The Decepticon shrugged, "Her name was Blackarachnia. She was an Insecticon. I'm pretty sure she's dead now. She liked my name and thought I was cute."
"You flirted with an Insecticon?" Arcee asked, hoping to buy some time while she thought of a way to escape.
"No, she thought I was cute because I was a sparkling," The Decepticon clarified, "Also she liked my name. I guess Wasp does sound a little Insecticon-ish"
"And that's the only femme you've ever met?" Arcee asked to be sure.
"Yeah," Wasp replied, "Shockwave keeps me on a pretty tight leash. Sometimes literally. You can see why I wanna get away from here."
"I can help you with that," Arcee jumped at the opening this conversation presented her with, "The Autobots would treat you fairly. You wouldn't have to live under oppressive conditions anymore. Help me. We can escape together."
"Tempting, but no," Wasp smirked, "Under normal circumstances I would consider sparing such a pretty femme, but killing you is my ticket out of here, and I'm not gonna waste my opportunity."
Wasp then tried to punch Arcee, but Arcee was quicker and managed to dodge the attack. She dodged every blow Wasp threw at her, but didn't try to attack right away. She observed the new Decepticon to see what weaknesses in his fighting style she could exploit. He seemed to bob and weave on his pedes and keep his fists close to his face. He would jab powerful punches her way, but her lithe frame was faster than his and therefore it was nearly impossible for him to get a hit on her. Arcee noted something else too. While Wasp's stance was technically flawless, he lacked the innovation and instinct of a more experienced fighter.
Arcee waited until Wasp threw another punch, and when he did she ducked again and lunged forward to shoot him in the faceplate! Wasp screamed and covered his face with his servos; making it impossible for him to see what Arcee was doing. She used this opportunity to make a break for it and search for an exit.
Wasp, meanwhile, couldn't allow bleeding from his arm and face to stop him from his pursuit. Shockwave ordered him to get that Autobot. It was the only way he could be free of this sterile prison and get to see the world. He had to keep her in his sights and win this battle.
Rushing down the hallway, Wasp quickly found Arcee. She was turning a corner and Wasp was gaining on her quickly. He was pretty sure that room was where Shockwave kept his botanical experiments, so it was basically a dead end. One thing Wasp had forgotten about however was that plants need natural light, and that was why Shockwave had a sunroof installed in that area. When Wasp got there Arcee was already shooting at the window and climbing a shelf full of exotic plants to make her escape.
"No!" Wasp bellowed as he turned his arm into a cannon.
He fired off several shots at the Autobot, but she managed to fling herself from one shelf to another. Wasp couldn't help but be a little impressed by her skill and tenacity. Any other day he would let her go just out of respect, but this was his final test. This was his first step to being one of Megatron's officers. He couldn't throw away a promotion and his future just for one acrobatic Autobot.
Wasp transformed into jet mode and flew up to where Arcee was just about to make it to the open sunroof. Arcee saw he was coming, and out of desperation she grabbed the first vial of something she could get her servo on and threw it at Wasp's cockpit. As luck would have it she threw black ink, which threw off Wasp's sensors and made it impossible for him to see where he was going. Wasp spun out and landed roughly on the ground below. Arcee took this moment to make good her escape.
"Uh..." Wasp groaned as he struggled to maintain consciousness, /Shockwave...I need...medbay.../